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.

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge said he's open to playing in next year's World Baseball Classic, which would be his first time participating in the event. "I think that'd be pretty fun. It'd be cool to represent your country. [Team USA] made it to the finals, but they didn't win it. So we gotta win it. We'll see," Judge said. It's probably not what fantasy managers will want to see, but the six-time All-Star, two-time MVP and former American League Rookie of the Year will still most likely be one of the top fantasy options on the board next spring. Judge led the league in WAR (10.8), home runs (58), RBI (144), walks (133), on-base percentage (.458), slugging percentage (.701), OPS (1.159) and total bases (392) in 158 games for the Yankees in 2024 and is in play for the first overall fantasy pick in drafts this spring, even while losing protection in the lineup in the form of Juan Soto.

New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said on Monday at the MLB winter meetings that it "makes sense" to move outfielder Aaron Judge back to right field in 2025 after failing to re-sign superstar outfielder Juan Soto in free agency. And with Judge likely going back to right field, outfield prospect Jasson Dominguez is a leading candidate for starting center-field duties. The 32-year-old Judge's outfield positioning likely won't matter to most fantasy managers. A toe injury in 2023 limited the power-hitter to only 37 long balls and 75 RBI in 106 games, but the six-time All-Star bounced back in a big way in 2024 to win his second MVP award by leading the league in homers (58), RBI (144), walks (133), on-base percentage (.458), slugging (.701), OPS (1.159) and total bases (392). RBI opportunities might not be as plentiful with Soto now in Queens, but otherwise Judge is an elite class of power.