As the 2025 MLB season unfolds, the debate over who stands as the top player intensifies around Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, both reigning MVPs of the National and American Leagues from last season. Their ongoing performances, particularly highlighted during the Dodgers vs. Yankees series, have kept fans and analysts focused on this compelling rivalry.
Insights from MLB Legends on the Judge and Ohtani Rivalry
Before the second game of the Dodgers-Yankees matchup, former MLB stars Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, and David Ortiz offered their perspectives on who currently ranks as the superior player in a discussion on the MLB on FOX pre-show. Jeter praised Aaron Judge’s offensive prowess, emphasizing the rarity of his combination of power and consistency at the plate in today’s game.
“I mean, look, if we’re sitting here today answering the question, I think what Aaron Judge has been doing offensively is as good as we’ve seen in the game,” Jeter said. “I mean, not only is he hitting for power, he’s hitting for a high average, and that’s really an art that doesn’t exist anymore.”
—Derek Jeter
Rodriguez acknowledged his admiration for both players but reminded viewers of the historic NBA rivalry between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird as a parallel to the current baseball competition. While he respected Judge’s talents, Rodriguez leaned in favor of Ohtani, citing his unique combination of power, speed, and base-stealing abilities.
“If I had to pick one, I would just go with Ohtani because of the 59 bags last year. He stole third base nine times, and if you’re a pitcher going up against him and you want to eliminate slug, you can’t walk him because it’s an automatic double.” Rodriguez said.
—Alex Rodriguez
Ohtani’s base-stealing success is evident in the current season’s stats, where he has already stolen 11 bases compared to Judge’s four. This blend of pitching, hitting, and baserunning skills places him in a unique category of player impact. Ortiz supported Rodriguez’s viewpoint but ultimately sided with Judge, admiring the Yankees captain’s seemingly superhuman performance, particularly given his towering 6-foot-8 stature, which some believe makes him more vulnerable to strikes.
“I had to pick Judge because what he’s doing right now is inhuman,” Ortiz said.
—David Ortiz
Ortiz highlighted that Judge’s batting average, close to .400 at the time, along with his power hitting, create an extraordinary challenge for opposing pitchers who must navigate Judge’s expanded strike zone.
Dodgers Outperform Yankees Despite Judge’s Strong Showing in Series
The Dodgers took the opening game of the series with an 8-6 victory, propelled by Shohei Ohtani’s two home runs. Despite a powerful offensive response from the Yankees, including a home run by Aaron Judge and three other players, the team fell short by two runs.
The subsequent game saw Judge deliver a two-homer performance, but the Dodgers overwhelmed the Yankees with an 18-2 win. Ohtani contributed two runs, while Max Muncy also recorded two home runs. Promising Dodgers prospect Daulton Rushing celebrated his first career homer, complemented by long balls from Andy Pages and Hyeseong Kim.
With the series already in the Dodgers’ favor, they aim for a clean sweep as Yoshinobu Yamamoto is the expected starting pitcher for the final game. This dominant display emphasizes the ongoing strength of the Dodgers but also keeps the spotlight on the duel between Ohtani and Judge as they continue to shape the narrative around the Aaron Judge as top MLB player debate.