Carlos Rodon can’t stop singing Aaron Judge’s praises, and honestly, it’s hard to blame him. The Yankees pitcher has been in awe of his teammate’s hitting prowess, and after a stellar performance against the Cleveland Guardians—where Rodon threw seven scoreless innings with eight strikeouts in a 5-1 win—he couldn’t help but gush about Judge again. When asked what surprises him about Judge, Rodon, as quoted by Erik Boland of Newsday Sports, kept it real: “No, not really. I’m just surprised when he gets out, how about that?” That’s high praise from a guy who’s seen plenty of great hitters in his career, and it’s a testament to just how locked in Judge has been this season.
Judge was a key part of that win over the Guardians, picking up two hits, driving in a run, and crossing the plate himself. It’s the kind of performance that’s become almost routine for the Yankees’ captain, who’s been on an absolute tear through the first month of the season. He’s hitting .415 with seven home runs, 26 RBIs, and 39 hits—a clinic, plain and simple. Meanwhile, the Yankees are sitting pretty at 15-10, holding first place in the American League East. But for Rodon, Judge’s dominance isn’t anything new. He’s been saying it since the 2024 World Series against the Dodgers, when he called Judge “the best hitter in the game.” And now, he’s doubling down, comparing Judge to some of the all-time greats.
Rodon’s admiration for Judge goes beyond just stats—he’s talking about him in the same breath as legends like Tony Gwynn and Hank Aaron. “Right now, he’s like Tony Gwynn,” Rodon told the New York Post. “Next week, he’ll probably be like Hank Aaron. This week, we saw a little bit of speed and the hitability of Judge. So I’m excited to see what happens on Friday. I’m just surprised when he gets out.” That’s the kind of respect that carries weight, especially coming from a pitcher who knows how hard it is to get guys like Judge out. Rodon’s own performance against Cleveland was a bright spot, especially after a tough stretch—he set an unwanted Yankees record the week before, allowing 51 home runs in his first 50 appearances with the club. But with Judge swinging the bat like he is, Rodon’s got plenty of reason to stay optimistic.
There’s no question Judge has been the Yankees’ cornerstone since he burst onto the scene in 2017, carrying the torch for a franchise with a legacy that dates back to Babe Ruth. He’s a two-time American League MVP, winning the award in 2022 and 2024, and he holds the AL record for most home runs in a single season with 62 in 2022. Judge also matched Ruth’s 321 homers in his first 1,000 games with the Yankees—a stat that puts him in elite company. As the team’s captain, a role once held by icons like Lou Gehrig, Thurman Munson, and Derek Jeter, Judge isn’t just a star—he’s the heartbeat of this team. With the way he’s hitting right now, and with teammates like Rodon hyping him up, it’s clear Judge is on a mission to keep adding to his already incredible legacy in pinstripes.
