Yankees' captain evolves further, aiming to develop base-stealing skills; Judge: This can better showcase my abilities

New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge is getting ready for the upcoming season, attempting to expand his skill set. The 33-year-old slugger mentioned in a recent spring training interview that he wants to enhance his baserunning and stealing ability, making his contribution more than just power at the plate.

"Look at the league now, many players who previously weren’t seen as base stealers are now reaching 30-40 steals," Judge noted. He pointed out that changes like pickoff limits and pitch clocks have altered the stealing environment. "This is one way I can better utilize my skills. If I get walked and reach base, just standing in scoring position can help the team create more opportunities."

Data shows that in the 2025 season, 17 players stole 30 or more bases, including notable stars like Mets outfielder Juan Soto and Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor, who aren't typical speedsters. Analysts say these players rely more on judgment and rule exploitation rather than pure speed.

Judge himself is not slow, having previously played center field defensively. His career-best single-season stolen base total is 16, with a success rate of about 75%, indicating decent efficiency.

However, the challenge lies in balancing risk and reward. Over the past three years, Judge has averaged a .312 batting average, .445 on-base percentage, .674 slugging percentage, and 49 home runs per season, ranking among the league’s elite. For the Yankees, deciding whether to give him the green light to steal while maintaining his health remains a serious consideration.