Aaron Judge continues to find new ways to make his mark.
On Thursday, it was a simple one, one that is even mostly out of the control of the New York Yankees’ 6-foot-7 superstar.
Judge drew an intentional walk.
Sound normal?
It is, at least for Judge.
This season, he has now been intentionally walked 32 times.
That’s the most in MLB since 2011, when Brewers slugger Prince Fielder was sent to first intentionally 32 times as well, according to Baseball Reference’s Katie Sharp.
In those days, of course, pitchers had to actually throw the four pitches out of the strike zone.
Now, the manager can just hold up four fingers and send Judge to first base.
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Intentional walks aren’t necessarily in vogue as teams try to limit base runners, not just from swinging but from walking.
But when someone is as potent as Judge, a free base can often be the best play.
He’s got more than a week to move past Fielder in this category, and it’d be hard to bet against it. For reference, the non-Barry Bonds record in this category is 45 by Willie McCovey.
In a big spot, with a base open, who in their right mind would choose to face Judge over anyone the Yankees could put behind him?
Those four fingers will be held up again sometime soon.
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