Juan Soto -- looking like a bust for the Mets

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by packs

I think everyone has to discount Soto's year on the Yankees too. Hitting in front of Judge is going to make a lot of guys look good. It will be tough for anyone to replicate the same numbers while not hitting in front of Judge. Alonso really isn't in the same class.

Not sure how much difference that really makes statistically other than maybe runs scored. I think it may be one of those things that sounds good but doesn't hold up.

[packs]

Or you could look at his statistics. He put up the highest WAR of his career on the Yankees and aside from the strike shortened 2020 season, also his highest OPS+. He also set a career high in home runs.

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by packs

Or you could look at his statistics. He put up the highest WAR of his career on the Yankees and aside from the strike shortened 2020 season, also his highest OPS+. He also set a career high in home runs.

Being a left handed power hitter in Yankee Stadium could also have something to do with his stats last year.

[packs]

Originally Posted by jayshum

Being a left handed power hitter in Yankee Stadium could also have something to do with his stats last year.

The guys hitting in front of Judge most often this season are Grisham and Goldschmidt. Many have commented on the starts they’ve gotten off to this year.

Judge is again leading the league in RBIs and leading all three Triple Crown categories without Soto and without batting left handed, and he is good everywhere when you consider his nearly identical OPS at home and on the road. I think it's time to accept that Judge is the X factor. You are going to get better at bats with him behind you.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by packs

The guys hitting in front of Judge most often this season are Grisham and Goldschmidt. Many have commented on the starts they’ve gotten off to this year.

Judge is again leading the league in RBIs and leading all three Triple Crown categories without Soto and without batting left handed, and he is good everywhere when you consider his nearly identical OPS at home and on the road. I think it's time to accept that Judge is the X factor. You are going to get better at bats with him behind you.

How does it help the opponent to pitch to Soto in a way such that he has better hitting stats, if Judge is coming up next? Don't you want to maximize keeping Soto off base?

[packs]

The first inning is the first inning but later in games if there are men on base and Soto is up with Judge on deck after him, the pitcher is thinking about Judge. If he gets behind 2-0 to Soto, he's going throw him an equivalent pitch as if it were 3-0.

Your suggestion also plays into better at bats. You want to get Soto out so you don't have to pitch to Judge. The best way to get somebody out who is known for being patient and walking a ton, is to throw strikes. Strikes are the better pitches to hit. But you're still thinking about Judge.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by packs

The first inning is the first inning but later in games if there are men on base and Soto is up with Judge on deck after him, the pitcher is thinking about Judge. If he gets behind 2-0 to Soto, he's going throw him an equivalent pitch as if it were 3-0.

I guess I just don't see it, and certainly don't see how it's going to make a big difference in the overall numbers. If there are men on base, I'd be sufficiently worried about Soto that I am not going to start thinking about Judge, and I certainly don't see why you would then pitch to Soto in such a way that INCREASES his hitting stats making it more likely he too gets on base for Judge.

[D. Bergin]

The guy walked 129 times with Aaron Judge sitting in the on deck circle, waiting to hit next.

That speaks to a certain skill-set and batters eye that has almost disappeared from the game of baseball.

I'd say Judge benefited from him, just as much as he benefited from Judge. Guys on base already, now you have to pitch to Judge. Not like there were any other guys on that team with a passable OBP, to help Judge drive in as many runs as he did.