The Yankees' Plan: Using Bellinger To Protect Aaron Judge

Viktoria Ivanova

5 min read

Post on May 11, 2025

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Bellinger's On-Base Skills: A Key to Protecting Judge

A cornerstone of the Yankees' plan to protect Aaron Judge lies in Cody Bellinger's ability to get on base. A high on-base percentage (OBP) is critical in baseball, and Bellinger's track record demonstrates his proficiency in this area. A player with a high OBP forces opposing pitchers to be more cautious, leading to more favorable situations for the powerful hitters who follow. This is where the "protecting Aaron Judge" strategy comes into play.

• High OBP creates more opportunities for Judge to bat with runners on base. This significantly increases the likelihood of RBI (runs batted in) opportunities for Judge, translating directly into more runs scored for the Yankees. A runner on base puts pressure on the opposing pitcher, potentially leading to more mistakes and more scoring chances.

• Forces opposing pitchers to pitch to Bellinger, reducing intentional walks for Judge. Intentional walks, while strategically sound against a powerful hitter like Judge, are essentially free bases. By having a high-OBP hitter like Bellinger bat before him, the Yankees aim to force the pitcher to pitch to Bellinger, negating the chance of a strategic walk for Judge and keeping the pressure on the opposition.

• Creates more RBI situations for Judge. More runners on base mean more chances for Judge to knock them in, boosting his RBI count and contributing significantly to the team's overall scoring potential. This is the core benefit of the "protect Aaron Judge" strategy – maximizing his offensive impact.

Bellinger's career OBP fluctuates, but his potential to reach base consistently is a key element of this strategy. Historical data will show seasons where he posted impressive OBP numbers, showcasing his capacity to contribute to this aspect of the Yankees' offensive game plan. Consistent performance in this area will directly affect the success of "protecting Aaron Judge."

The Lineup Shuffle: Optimizing the Order for Maximum Impact

The effectiveness of the "protecting Aaron Judge" strategy hinges significantly on the batting order. Several configurations are possible, each with its own merits and drawbacks.

• Bellinger directly before Judge: This is the most straightforward approach, aiming to directly force the pitcher to pitch to Bellinger and set up a high-leverage situation for Judge.

• Bellinger directly after Judge: This could work if Judge's presence in the lineup still forces the pitcher to pitch to Bellinger, especially if other hitters immediately following are less threatening.

• The impact of other strong hitters: The presence of other powerful hitters in the lineup, such as Giancarlo Stanton, will also influence the opposing team's pitching strategy.

• Preventing opposing teams from pitching around Judge: This is the ultimate goal. By having consistent, high-quality hitters before and after Judge, the Yankees aim to make it almost impossible for opposing teams to strategically avoid pitching to Judge.

The Yankees' coaching staff will likely adjust the batting order based on the opposing pitcher's strengths and weaknesses, aiming to optimize the "protecting Aaron Judge" strategy on a game-by-game basis. This adaptability will be critical to the success of the plan.

Potential Risks and Challenges of the Strategy

While the Yankees' plan holds significant promise, it's not without potential risks and challenges.

• Bellinger's injury history: Bellinger has a history of injuries, which could significantly impact the effectiveness of the plan. If Bellinger is injured, the entire strategy crumbles.

• Simultaneous struggles of Bellinger and Judge: The plan relies on the consistent performance of both players. If both are struggling simultaneously, the strategy fails, negating the intended effect of "protecting Aaron Judge."

• Opposing teams adapting their strategies: Opposing teams will undoubtedly adjust their pitching strategies to counter the Yankees' plan. They might, for instance, exploit any weaknesses in the lineup immediately after Bellinger, mitigating the effectiveness of protecting Judge.

The Yankees must have contingency plans in place. This could include utilizing other high-OBP hitters in Bellinger’s absence or adjusting their approach entirely. This adaptability will be critical in mitigating the risks.

Alternative Strategies: Beyond Bellinger

Should Bellinger underperform or suffer an injury, the Yankees will need alternative strategies for protecting Aaron Judge.

• Utilizing other high OBP hitters: The Yankees have other players who could potentially fill Bellinger's role. Identifying and deploying these players effectively would be crucial.

• Strategic bunting: While less common in modern baseball, strategic bunting could be used to get runners on base for Judge.

• Adjusting the batting order based on opponent’s weaknesses: The Yankees can exploit opponent weaknesses by adjusting their batting order accordingly, even without relying on Bellinger in this key "protecting Aaron Judge" role.

These alternatives, however, may not be as effective as the intended plan, highlighting the importance of Bellinger’s health and performance.

Conclusion

The Yankees' strategy of using Cody Bellinger to protect Aaron Judge is a calculated gamble with the potential for significant rewards. By leveraging Bellinger's on-base skills and strategically placing him in the batting order, the Yankees aim to create more opportunities for Judge to drive in runs. However, the plan is not without risk, and the team must be prepared to adapt based on performance and injuries. Ultimately, the success of this "protecting Aaron Judge" strategy will depend on Bellinger’s consistency and the Yankees' ability to adjust their approach based on the opposing team's pitching strategy. Follow the Yankees this season to see if this plan for protecting Aaron Judge pays off! Will it effectively shield the slugger, creating more opportunities for him to dominate? Only time will tell.