The Yankees’ MVP is not Aaron Judge

Passion MLB
Crédit: Athlon Sports

The New York Yankees are in the thick of the fight both in the American League’s Eastern Section and for the three best runner-up spots in the fall dance.

And if the Bombardiers are still in the race despite all the difficulties they’ve experienced since June, it’s not because of the performance of their captain Aaron Judge.

Indeed, Giancarlo Stanton may not take votes away from Cal Raleigh and Judge for American League MVP, but what he has been able to produce is MVP-caliber production for the Yankees as they make their push for October baseball.

And this production came at just the right time, because since Judge returned from the injured list, he hasn’t yet been the true version of himself.

He has compiled 83 plate appearances since his return, posting a .200 batting average with three home runs and eight RBIs. It’s a rare bad streak for the captain as he tries to find his footing ahead of the playoffs.

Meanwhile, Stanton has had 43 plate appearances over the same period, and has already surpassed Judge with his .459 batting average in addition to his seven home runs and 18 runs batted in.

Stanton has been one of the best hitters in Major League Baseball since his return from the injured list. Without reaching the 200-appearance mark at the plate, the preferred hitter also used in right field already has 17 long balls and a .313 batting average.

Since Stanton’s return on June 16, only George Springer and Nick Kurtz have a higher OPS than him, with Big G being one of only five players in all of MLB with an OPS over 1,000 during that period.

Where would the Yankees be without Stanton?

This content was created with the help of AI.