Aaron Judge DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The New York Post's Greg Joyce reports that New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge is set to make his Grapefruit League debut this Saturday, March 1, against the Houston Astros. Nothing is wrong with Judge physically, but the Yankees wanted to give him a little extra rest after the team's World Series run last fall. Manager Aaron Boone said on Wednesday that he plans to hit Judge in the No. 2 spot in the lineup this year now that Juan Soto is playing for the New York Mets. The 32-year-old two-time MVP will also be moving from center field back to right field, which will be less stressful from a physical standpoint. Judge is firmly in play for a top-three overall fantasy selection in drafts this spring after leading the league in WAR (10.8), homers (58), RBI (144), walks (133), on-base percentage (.458), slugging percentage (.701), OPS (1.159) and total bases (392) in 158 regular-season games in 2024.

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said on Foul Territory on Wednesday that he's planning to return outfielder Aaron Judge to the No. 2 spot in the lineup this year. Boone explains that it makes sense with the Yankees' lineup being left-handed heavy, especially with outfielder/designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (elbows) currently sidelined. The skipper said that infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. and outfielder Cody Bellinger are candidates to hit in the three-hole, although it could be someone else with a left-hander on the mound. Judge hit in the No. 3 spot last year with Juan Soto in the two-hole, but now that Soto is out of town, Judge will return to second in the batting order in the Bronx. Chisholm or young outfielder Jasson Dominguez are the primary options to hit leadoff. Judge won the American League MVP in 2024 and is a top-five fantasy asset.

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge and catcher Austin Wells will be held out of Grapefruit League games until around March 1, according to manager Aaron Boone. "He played 150, 160 games last year. I don't want to rush him," Boone said. The Yankees are just giving the 32-year-old MVP a little extra time off his feet after he played in 172 total games between the regular season and playoffs last year. With Juan Soto now playing for the Mets, Judge won't have as much protection in the lineup in 2025 and will also be moving back to right field, which won't be as taxing physically. Judge got off to a slow start early on last year but eventually found his footing to finish with a .322/.458/.701 slash line, 1.159 OPS, a league-leading 58 home runs and a league-leading 144 RBI in 158 regular-season games. He's a no-doubt top-three fantasy pick this year.