How Cody Bellinger Will Protect Aaron Judge In The Yankees Lineup

Pedro Alvarez

5 min read

Post on May 12, 2025

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Bellinger's On-Base Skills: A Crucial Element of Protection

Bellinger's value to the Yankees extends beyond his power potential. His ability to get on base consistently is a key factor in protecting Aaron Judge from intentional walks and creating more scoring opportunities.

High OBP Reduces Intentional Walks to Judge

Bellinger's career on-base percentage (OBP) consistently ranks above the league average. This is crucial because a high OBP makes it far less appealing for opposing pitchers to intentionally walk Judge. Why? Because facing a hitter who consistently reaches base, even without a home run, is a far greater risk than facing a potential strikeout.

• Bellinger's Historical OBP: A comparison of Bellinger's career OBP to league averages reveals his consistent ability to get on base, even in seasons where his power numbers fluctuated.
• Strategic Implications: A high OBP hitter batting before a power hitter like Judge significantly increases the chances of runners in scoring position. This forces opposing pitchers into difficult decisions.
• Examples from Other Teams: Numerous successful teams throughout MLB history have employed the strategy of placing a high-OBP hitter in front of a power hitter. This sets up more RBI opportunities for the slugger.

Increased Run-Scoring Opportunities

Even without consistently hitting home runs, Bellinger’s ability to reach base creates numerous run-scoring opportunities. His disciplined approach at the plate contributes to this.

• Working Counts and Drawing Walks: Bellinger's patience at the plate leads to more walks, further boosting his OBP and increasing the likelihood of runners on base.
• Runners in Scoring Position: A runner on first or second base drastically improves the chances of a run scoring when Judge comes to bat.
• Stolen Bases and Advancing Runners: Bellinger’s speed on the basepaths also adds another dimension, allowing him to steal bases and put pressure on the defense, creating more opportunities for runs.

Bellinger's Power Potential: A Secondary Form of Protection

While his on-base skills are paramount, Bellinger's power potential acts as a secondary layer of protection for Aaron Judge. The threat of a home run is a significant deterrent.

The Threat of a Big Hit

Even occasional power displays from Bellinger significantly influence the opposing pitching strategy. Pitchers can't afford to pitch around Judge every time if they risk Bellinger hitting a game-changing home run.

• Past Home Run Totals and Power Numbers: Bellinger's career demonstrates his capacity for significant power, even during seasons when his overall performance dipped.
• Pressure on Opposing Pitching Strategies: The possibility of a Bellinger home run forces pitchers to be more aggressive, creating openings for Judge to exploit.
• Balanced Lineup Importance: A lineup with a mix of power and on-base skills is far more difficult to defend against than one relying solely on power.

Strategic Batting Order Placement

Bellinger's placement in the batting order will be key to maximizing his protection effect on Judge. He is likely to bat second or third.

• Optimal Batting Order Strategies: Placing a high OBP hitter like Bellinger before Judge optimizes run production.
• Contrast with Power-Heavy Lineups: Power-only lineups are far more susceptible to intentional walks and strategic pitching.
• Impact on Run Production: Bellinger's batting position will directly influence the Yankees' overall run production and offensive efficiency.

The Overall Impact on the Yankees Lineup

The synergistic effect of Judge and Bellinger significantly elevates the Yankees' offensive potential.

A More Balanced and Consistent Offense

The combined strengths of Judge and Bellinger create a balanced lineup that is significantly harder to pitch to. This leads to more consistent run production.

• Benefits of Lineup Diversity: A diverse lineup is less predictable and more difficult for opponents to neutralize.
• Reduced Reliance on Single Players: The Yankees are less reliant on Judge having an exceptional game every night.
• Improved Offensive Efficiency: A balanced lineup maximizes the potential of every hitter.

Reduced Pressure on Judge

With consistent protection from Bellinger, the pressure on Judge is significantly reduced. This allows him to relax and focus on his own game.

• Psychological Benefits: Less pressure can lead to improved performance and a more relaxed approach at the plate.
• Increased Performance: Reducing stress allows for more consistent and powerful hitting.
• Examples from Other Players: Numerous examples exist of players who have significantly benefitted from having strong lineup protection.

Conclusion:

Cody Bellinger's addition to the Yankees lineup is a strategic masterstroke designed to enhance the team's overall offensive production and significantly protect Aaron Judge. His on-base skills, combined with his power potential and strategic batting order placement, will create a more balanced and formidable lineup. By reducing the pressure on Judge and creating more scoring opportunities, Bellinger will be a key contributor to the Yankees' success. Understanding how Cody Bellinger will protect Aaron Judge is crucial to appreciating the depth and strategic brilliance of the Yankees' 2023 lineup. Learn more about how the Yankees built their winning strategy by researching "Cody Bellinger protecting Aaron Judge" and analyzing other similar lineup combinations.