New York Yankees: No Aaron Judge in the Home Run Derby?
By Jason Evans
It looks like New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge won’t defend his crown in the Home Run Derby this year.
The 2017 Home Run Derby had excitement in it not seen in years with New York Yankees rookie outfielder Aaron Judge facing his future teammate Giancarlo Stanton. Aaron Judge won out and won the derby that night in Miami. It appears, however, that Judge doesn’t have much interest in defending the crown in Washington D.C this summer.
"“There is no need to do it,’’ Judge said about defending his title, which he copped a year ago in Miami."
Aaron Judge struggled terribly after the derby last season. In the first 60 games after the break, Judge hit just .195 with a .797 OPS. Before the break, he was hitting .329 with a 1.139 OPS. He also ended up having left shoulder surgery after the season.
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Aaron Judge also doesn’t believe in sophomore jinxes either. Going into last night’s game, he’s hitting .296 with a .981 OPS and a 2.2 WAR.
The New York Yankees need Aaron Judge more than Judge needs to defend his Home Run Derby title. Yes, the New York Yankees have great depth, but the Judge, Stanton, Gary Sanchez combo is what makes them go offensively.
The Home Run Derby can impact your swing, and plenty of players, like Judge, have struggled after being in the Derby.
The thing about the Derby for MLB is that among the four major sports, that’s the only event that is going on that day. This is a perfect time to showcase their talent to a national audience, talent like Aaron Judge.
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The New York Yankees in no way, shape or form benefit from having Judge participate in the derby. Let him save those swings for a game that counts and in what should be a heated divisional race with the Boston Red Sox. If MLB puts pressure on Judge? Well, Judge said it himself.
"“Pressure won’t do anything,’’ said Judge, who entered a deep funk after last July’s event."