From Bryan Hoch:
Aaron Judge shook his head as he walked toward the dugout in the ninth inning Saturday, hearing boos from the Yankee Stadium crowd after his fourth strikeout of the afternoon — and on his own bobblehead day, no less.
Nestor Cortes offered an excellent start, but Judge and the other big bats were held silent into extra innings, where the Rays’ José Caballero stroked a go-ahead double that helped hand the Yankees a 2-0 loss at Yankee Stadium.
“I’ve heard worse,” Judge said of the fan reaction. “I’d probably be doing the same thing in their situation.”
The response comprised only a percentage of the sellout crowd of 47,629, but it underlined Judge’s early-season difficulties.
With 14 hits in 78 at-bats, the captain is batting .179 — the same batting average he posted during a 27-game rookie cameo in 2016, a performance that prompted an offseason rework of his swing.
The idea that they are “unfazed” by his struggles is such nonsense. I mean, are they PANICKING over it? Of course not, but they’re surely not “unfazed.”
I don’t think Caleb Ferguson is garbage or anything like that, but he clearly can’t be treated as the #3 guy in the bullpen anymore. If he can do okay in lower leverage innings, he can work his way back, but otherwise, don’t give him the high leverage innings, Boone. I’d just as soon see Gonzalez in those situations, and I don’t want to see Gonzalez in those situations either. Perhaps Marinnacio can work his way back into high leverage spots? Dennis Santana is too valuable as a multi-inning guy. Holmes is likely not available today if needed, but I suppose Hamilton can pitch the 8th AND 9th if need be.
Anyhow, terrible loss.
stfu brian
Listen, man, I’ve been inappropriately “doucheyed” by Brian in my time here, but please stop this, it’s not fun to read. (Unless I’m missing something? It’s so bizarre, I almost imagine there’s a game going on I’m not privy to.)
I have no clue either.
::down thumb
mostly non-suck lineup in. (Trevino)
also, ha, fuck you dodgers
Not even a little fazed?
It’s just silly, of COURSE they’re concerned. How could you not be when the dude is batting under .200 with just three home runs 21 games into the season?
Oswald Peraza (right shoulder) is still at least a couple of weeks away from playing in Minor League games, Aaron Boone said this morning. Peraza has been hitting and throwing at the Yankees’ complex in Tampa.
Here’s a short video comparing Judge’s swing this year with priors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxqmqqil3hM&t=23s
Basically, his swing isn’t as compact as before. Leg kick in particular is too big, kinda Gleyber-esque. The 9th inning hanger that he fouled off yesterday would have ended up in the seats a year ago, or perhaps if he had a shorter swing/kick right now.
I’m not really seeing a difference in the leg kick motion, it does look like he’s starting it a bit later though.
greasy
I’m no expert. I do believe that the shape of your leg kick and other mechanical things influence outcomes, to state the obvious. But given an established talent level, I just don’t really believe a shade of difference in leg kick turns Honus Wagner into Enrique Wilson.
judge, his name is Aaron judge.
Yes, that is his name. But this isn’t the explanation. Maybe a little piece of the explanation, but surely not more.
go rays
hmm, gil day eh… hooray!