Having shattered the American League’s single-season home run record, leading the Yankees to the postseason, and securing a staggering $360 million contract, you might assume Aaron Judge would be fully content with his batting prowess.
However, it appears Judge isn’t resting on his laurels. In an effort to refine his performance with two strikes, he reached out to St. Louis Cardinals star Paul Goldschmidt for guidance. The two MVPs met in a Florida batting cage in January, where they exchanged techniques aimed at further intimidating pitchers. Goldschmidt, a career .295 hitter with 315 home runs, was an ideal mentor for Judge.
According to The Athletic, Judge aims to enhance his contact rate in two-strike situations, even if it means sticking with a mechanical adjustment he’s been exploring for years. Traditionally, Judge employs a high leg kick before the pitch, but he plans to eliminate this stride to improve his performance with two strikes. This adjustment mirrors Goldschmidt’s no-stride technique, which involves loading onto his front foot and staying on his toes before swinging.
Despite his impressive performance with two strikes—leading MLB with 21 home runs in such counts—Judge noted he could still improve. Last season, he batted just .194 in two-strike situations, placing 72nd out of 188 players with 200 or more such at-bats, as per Baseball Reference. Judge believes that by increasing contact, reducing strikeouts, and leveraging his power, he can turn more of these situations into hits.
Judge first connected with Goldschmidt during the lockout, later at the All-Star Game, and again when the Yankees faced the Cardinals in St. Louis. Reflecting on the experience, Judge remarked, “He’s one of the best in the game. Spending time with him, learning his approach, and understanding his mindset in different situations was truly valuable.”