"Put him anywhere in the lineup, he is going to produce": Yankees captain Aaron Judge 'impressed' by All-Star teammate Gunnar Henderson's consistency
It's beginning to look like either Aaron Judge or Gunnar Henderson will win the American League MVP award. They both put together incredible first-half stat lines, and they featured in a marquee matchup over the weekend.
Judge homered twice and was all over the bases with walks as he helped his team win twice, but Henderson hit a home run in the series finale, a win for his team, and got the last laugh.
This week, the New York Yankees captain will play alongside Henderson instead of against him. The two will feature prominently in the AL All-Star lineup as starters and will of course resume their rivalry after.
Judge said, via The Baltimore Sun, of Henderson:
“What impressed me the most is just how consistent he is day in and day out. He goes up there, he plays great defense at shortstop, one of the hardest positions in the game, and then for him to — he’s leading off, he’s hitting third, he’s hitting fourth. Put him anywhere in the lineup, the guy is going to produce."
The AL will put him somewhere in the lineup, and Judge thinks it doesn't matter where. Henderson will produce just like he has all season long.
Aaron Judge talks about Gunnar Henderson
Aaron Judge is the betting favorite to win MVP and he has the slight edge in fWAR this season. Gunnar Henderson is not far behind, though, and it's shaping up to be a battle for the ages.
Judge complimented Henderson, via The Baltimore Sun:
“The power numbers, all that’s great, but I think just as his eye, his ability to take pitches, work the count, work the at-bat, foul off tough pitches, and then when he gets a pitch over the plate, he does damage.
"So, it’s just impressive to see that at such a young age, man. When I was his age, I know I wasn’t doing that in the big leagues. So, big fan of him and big fan of what he does for the game.”
Henderson also praised Judge, saying that it seems as if the Yankees star is always locked in and is capable of hitting every single pitch very hard.