Yankees hoping new routine helps Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton
It is no secret that Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton need to do something different in their workout routine. The New York Yankees sluggers have been dominant forces when on the diamond, but that has been an all too infrequent occurrence over the years. If New York is going to find the success they are hoping for, the dynamic duo needs to be in the lineup as much as possible.
This is something that Judge and Stanton realize as well. As such, they have altered their workout routine, with less weightlifting and a greater emphasis on yoga.
Yankees sluggers needed to try something different
Both Judge and Stanton have dealt with numerous soft tissue and tendon injuries over the past few years. To look at them, there is no question that they are workout warriors – their muscular physique shows their effort in the weight room. But this is a different issue, and not one that can be solved by adding more strength.
Instead, both players need to increase their flexibility, something that yoga can make a difference with. As Judge has missed time in each of the past three seasons, and Stanton has appeared in just 41 games over the past two seasons, a different approach may be the answer.
There is no questioning their impact when on the diamond. Stanton produced an excellent .250/.387/.500 batting line with four homers and seven doubles in his 94 regular season plate appearances. He then turned on the jets in the postseason, belting six homers in 31 plate appearances as he did his best to carry the Yankees forward.
The same could be said of Judge. He posted an excellent .257/.336/.554 batting line of his own, hitting nine homers and three doubles in his 114 plate appearances. While he did not have the same success in the postseason, three of his four hits were homers, further underscoring the importance of his power bat in the lineup.
Having both players healthy will be even more critical this upcoming season. The Rays may appear to have taken a step back, but it is difficult to discount them in any year. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays have gotten better. Both the White Sox and Twins are loading up. The Yankees will need every hand on deck.
The New York Yankees may be able to count on Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton for the upcoming season. They are going to need to.