"Almost underpaid" - MLB analyst calls Aaron Judge’s $360 million contract a bargain for Yankees, hails team captain's exploits in elite pitching era
MLB analysts Jim Tatti and Dave Feschuk, along with Toronto Blue Jays reporter Keegan Matheson, recently talked about Aaron Judge's spectacular form this season. With exceptional performances, the New York Yankees captain is a favorite for the American League MVP award in 2024.
So far this season, Judge has hit 49 home runs, and the 32-year-old is well on pace for breaching the 60-plus barrier. He has also accomplished the same feat once before, in 2022, when he racked up 62 homers.
On the latest episode of the "OverDrive" podcast, Matheson commended Judge's work this season (21:30).
"[What impresses me most is] That he's doing it in this era of pitching. The numbers that Judge puts up, while being the number one guy that pitchers want to avoid (are impressive).
Incredibly gifted athlete, great ambassador for the game, a dream Yankee for that organization. It's hard to sign a contract that big and make it immediately look like you're almost being underpaid, it's amazing."
Aaron Judge up to 49 home runs for the season as Yankees beat Rockies in the Bronx
The New York Yankees beat the Colorado Rockies 3-0 in a low scoring game at Yankee Stadium on Friday. Starting pitcher Carlos Rodon registered a solid outing on the mound, shutting out the visitors. Home runs from Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge sent the hosts on the way to a comfortable victory.
When Aaron Judge hit 62 home runs in the 2022 season, he had just completed a monumental feat, breaking Roger Maris' single season AL record. Most thought that was his career year, but here we are once again just two years later.
Judge hit his 49th blast on Friday, and is well on pace to potentially break his own record from 2022. He also leads the big leagues in RBIs, with 119, and has a batting average of .333, second only to Bobby Witt Jr of the Kansas City Royals.
For the next game, the Yankees take on the Rockies in the second game of the series on Saturday. Prospect Will Warren will take to the mound for the hosts, and will be looking to record his first win for the Yankees. Having now won the last three games, home fans will be hoping that Aaron Judge and team can make it four on the bounce, and seal a second successive series victory in the process.