Yankees: Aaron Judge could be even better in 2018

Coming off a historic rookie campaign, believe it or not, Yankees slugger Aaron Judge has the potential to be even better in 2018.

Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge broke out on the scene in 2017 where he led New York to an ALCS appearance, finished second in MVP voting and won Rookie of the Year. What if I told you that he could be even better next season?

In 2017, Judge finished with a .284/.422/.627 slash line, 52 home runs and 114 RBI’s while also leading the American League in walks. Now, these are indeed impressive numbers that will be tough to outdo, but Judge certainly can.

Judge was able to finish the season with these outstanding numbers while having a 46-game stretch in the summer where he slashed .176/.337/.340 with only seven home runs. Imagine the numbers he could have put up last season if he did not have this significant slump.

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The 6-foot-7 slugger will be walking into 2018 with something he did not have much of last season, experience. Having last year’s knowledge will be critical for Judge, helping him avoid another brutal slump.

With this know-how, Judge will also be able to become a more polished hitter at the plate which will hopefully lower his historically high strikeout rate and assist him putting the barrel on the ball even more.

Judge will also be entering the 2018 season with a fearsome hitter batting behind him in the form of newly-acquired slugger and reigning National League MVP Giancarlo Stanton. Stanton will give Judge some needed protection in the lineup and will prevent pitchers from trying to pitch around him knowing that Stanton will be coming up next.

Stanton will give Judge some needed protection in the lineup and will prevent pitchers from trying to pitch around him knowing that Stanton will be coming up next.

Stanton will also be able to help Judge being that they are very similar types of players in size and have faced similar struggles at the plate that Stanton has been able to make adjustments on and could potentially help Judge do the same.

With all of these things under his belt heading into ’18, it is very possible we see Judge turn his second place MVP voting in ’17 to a first place award with the help of some newly found experience and protection in the lineup.

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Some players come along once a generation and make their mark, standing at 6-foot-7 282 pounds, Aaron Judge is that guy.