Aaron Judge took a rare day off on Thursday, marking his first absence in 67 games this season, highlighting the rest he deserved as the Aaron Judge best Yankee hitter ever continues his impressive performance. The Yankees secured a 1-0 victory over the Royals, with Judge only appearing briefly as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning.

Judge’s recent form has been remarkable; the day before his break, he launched a 413-foot home run, his 25th of the year, helping the Yankees establish a 6-0 lead against Kansas City. His current trajectory suggests he could hit 60 home runs this season, reinforcing his status as one of baseball’s elite hitters.

Steve Phillips Champions Judge as Yankees’ Greatest Hitter

Steve Phillips, former general manager of the New York Mets from 1997 to 2003 and current host of MLB Network’s ‘Leadoff Spot,’ offered a bold claim regarding Aaron Judge’s place in Yankees history. Phillips argued that Judge surpasses legends like Babe Ruth and Roger Maris as the best hitter to ever wear the Yankees uniform.

You look at Ruth, you look at Maris, I would make the case that Aaron Judge is the best Yankee hitter ever,

Phillips said.

This perspective moves beyond traditional statistics, emphasizing the challenges Judge faces today compared to past Yankees greats. Phillips pointed out that Judge has already faced 156 different pitchers during the 2025 season, nearly as many as Ruth and Maris combined faced in their record-breaking 1927 and 1961 seasons, which totaled 165 pitchers.

Moreover, Judge encountered 78 of those pitchers only once, whereas Ruth and Maris combined faced just 21 pitchers a single time in their landmark years. This highlights the modern difficulty hitters endure, as pitchers today often offer fewer opportunities for hitters to get into a rhythm.

Contextualizing Judge’s Achievements Amid Changing Baseball Eras

Phillips’ argument underscores the evolving nature of baseball and the increased challenges faced by hitters now compared to previous eras. Unlike Ruth and Maris, Judge must constantly adjust to a rotating cast of pitchers, which makes his power numbers and consistency even more impressive.

Judge’s ability to maintain elite performance despite these challenges adds a new dimension to debates about the greatest hitters in Yankees history, encouraging fans and analysts alike to consider how the game’s evolution impacts player achievements.