How Yankees' Aaron Judge aims to emulate Juan Soto's 2025 performance in 2026
TAMPA, FLA. — Aaron Judge, the Yankees captain, reveals his strategy for the upcoming season. Despite his exceptional performance in 2025, earning his second consecutive MVP title, Judge is now setting his sights on emulating Juan Soto's remarkable baserunning skills.
In his first season with the Mets, Soto stole an impressive 38 bases in 42 attempts, showcasing his newfound speed. This is a significant improvement from his previous seasons with the Yankees, where he never exceeded 12 steals in his first seven years. Interestingly, Soto's speed is not his natural forte, as Judge's sprint speed surpasses his in Baseball Savant's analytics.
Judge's attention to detail is remarkable. He noticed that Soto's increased stealing attempts were not an isolated incident but a trend in the previous season. This observation led him to study other players who set career-highs in steals.
For instance, Josh Naylor, known for his slow sprint speed, managed to steal 30 bases with only two catches, achieving a rating in the bottom three percentile. Similarly, Trevor Story, a shortstop for the Red Sox, had an exceptional season with 31 steals, surpassing his previous best of 27 in 2019. Luis Robert Jr. and Oneil Cruz also made significant strides, with Robert Jr. stealing 33 bases and Cruz jumping from 22 to 38.
Judge's commitment to self-improvement is evident in his approach to spring training. Last year, he focused on becoming a more well-rounded hitter, achieving a career-best .322 average. This year, he aims to enhance his baserunning skills, inspired by Soto's performance.
Judge believes he can capitalize on the recent rule changes, including the limit on pickoff throws and the larger base size, to increase his stealing opportunities. He acknowledges the potential for significant improvement, especially with the Yankees' strong lineup, which included the second-highest on-base percentage in the majors in 2025.
If Judge's 2026 performance mirrors his 2025, he could surpass Soto's 38 steals. Some even speculate that he might aim for a 60/60 season, combining 60 home runs and 60 steals, a feat that would be groundbreaking. However, Judge remains grounded, emphasizing the importance of taking things one step at a time.
As Judge prepares for the upcoming season, his determination to emulate Soto's baserunning prowess is evident. With his exceptional skills and strategic approach, he is poised to make a significant impact on the field.
