I guess I am going to answer the question I pose in this headline: Why not? Aaron Judge is likely the best all-around athlete on this team—he can run, throw, hit and catch. I mean I guess that is fundamental to playing baseball, but Judge does it in a superior way. And having him tackle more territory in the outfield just means we can win more ball games in my mind. So why shouldn't Aaron Judge be the starting center fielder? To me that should not even be question.
"Starting a sixth straight game in center field on Friday night, Judge saved at least one run with a diving catch on an Ian Happ line drive in the gap to end the third inning in what became a 2-1, 13-inning win over the Cubs in The Bronx," reported The New York Post.
Yankee Skipper Aaron Boone says, having Judge play center gives the team more flexibility. Sure. That is a good reason to keep him there, but really it is his range and ability to track balls and put the Yankees in much better position defensively.
“We’ll see,” Boone said. “He’s certainly done a great job out there for us. So just kind of day-by-day, week-by-week and whatever makes the most sense. The roster has some ebbs and flows to it, with an injury here and there. I love the flexibility it certainly gives us,” reported The Post.
If you ask John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman, Aaron Judge is the team's anointed center fielder. It makes the best sense because now you can have Giancarlo Stanton play right, or Joey Gallo who feels more comfortable in right field, play there and move Aaron Hicks to left. Hicks not only has struggled at the plate, but he also plays a very lazy center field, not giving us the advantage that Judge gives with his hustle and range.
Judge served as the designated hitter on Saturday evening against the Chicago Cubs. However, this season Judge started in center 13 times out the of the Yankees 44 games this season and 11 times in the last 14 games. It is fair to say that experiment is working, so why not rip the bandaid off and let Judge move his chambers to center?
I am hopeful we get there, but you know Boone with his this guy needs a rest day even though he's the hottest hitter in baseball mentality. It has to evolve. And Judge in center is certainly evolving. Why should Aaron Judge be the Yankees center fielder? Because he makes it look easy and brings so much more value holistically to his team at the anchor of the outfield. So, when Boone wakes up and realizes this, it will happen.
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--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof
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