TAMPA, Fla. — Aaron Judge flashed an enormous smile when requested if he may repeat his accomplishments of final 12 months, when he hit an American League file 62 house runs for the New York Yankees.
“You by no means know,” he stated after the Yankees’ first full-squad exercise Monday. “I do not actually like placing a quantity on it. I simply form of like going on the market and attempting to regulate what I can management, however you by no means know what may occur. So, we’ll see about 62.”
Decide was voted the American League MVP after breaking Roger Maris’ AL file of 61 homers, set in 1961. Decide’s 131 RBI tied the New York Mets‘ Pete Alonso for many within the majors and Decide’s .311 batting common was second within the AL. After changing into a free agent, Decide agreed to a nine-year, $360 million contract with the Yankees.
“Final 12 months was enjoyable chasing historical past and having these moments,” Decide stated. “Each time we play in New York I really feel such as you’re chasing historical past. It is by no means a cakewalk within the Bronx, that is for certain. You need to embrace these challenges.”
Decide slumped offensively as New York was swept within the AL Championship Collection by eventual World Collection champion Houston. He went 1-for-16 (.063) with no homers or RBI.
New York hasn’t gained the World Collection since 2009.
“It bothers me, and I feel it bothers the group as properly,” Decide stated. “Yearly we do not end what we began, it wears on us in numerous methods. I feel each failure pushes you in direction of that final objective.”
After Decide agreed to a brand new long-term take care of the Yankees on the finish of 2022, he turned New York’s first captain since Derek Jeter from 2003 to 2013.
“I will be doing what I have been doing the previous six or seven years, attempt to lead by instance,” Decide stated. “Be a voice for this workforce on and off the sector. Hold pushing this workforce to the last word objective of bringing a championship again to New York.
“That is why I am right here. It is one of many important the reason why I wished to come back again and put on pinstripes. Have plenty of unfinished enterprise right here. I am wanting ahead to the brand new position however stuff would not change for me.”
Decide took batting observe for the primary time with the pitch clock that will likely be used this season and admitted afterwards it should take some getting used to.
“Oh man, I fully forgot about it till about three pitches in,” Decide stated. “I needed to form of verify myself as a result of I used to be stepping into the field round eight or 9 seconds. That might be strike one, strike two, strike three on me. As soon as we play a pair video games, get a pair at-bats, guys will get used to it.”
Decide is trying to enhance his contact price this season and has talked with different large leaguers about two-strike approaches, together with mixing within the no-stride method.
