Former MLB All-Star closer Jonathan Papelbon has expressed concerns about New York Yankees star Aaron Judge as the 2025 season approaches.
Judge struggled during the 2024 postseason, posting a disappointing .184/.344/.408/.752 slash line over 14 games. While he did hit three home runs, his overall performance fell short of expectations. Despite Judge’s struggles, the Yankees still reached the World Series, though one could argue the series might have been more competitive had he performed at his usual MVP level.
Judge has a history of strong regular-season play, having won the American League MVP twice, including in 2024. However, Papelbon is worried that Judge’s postseason slump could carry over into the new season.
“At the end of the day, all baseball players are mental,” Papelbon said on Foul Territory. “We all press at times—I’ve pressed, everyone has. I think the pressure he showed in the playoffs is going to continue. He’ll be facing tougher pitching in the AL East this year, and honestly, I think the struggles will persist.”
Papelbon’s take is certainly bold. Does he think Judge can rebound?
“He’s going to need to find something new to motivate him,” Papelbon added. “I know he’s a regular-season player, but I think the first month of the season will be very telling.”
An in-depth look at Jonathan Papelbon’s prediction for Yankees star Aaron Judge
When healthy, Judge has been a model of consistency during the regular season in recent years. While Yankees fans likely won’t appreciate Papelbon’s remarks, there’s one undeniable point: Judge’s postseason struggles in 2024 were evident, and whether they’ll carry over into 2025 remains to be seen.
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