Nobody can say that Aaron Boone is not open-minded.
The New York Yankees manager said this week that he has considered batting Aaron Judge leadoff.
“I’d say it’s possible,” Boone said Tuesday, via NJ.com. “I’ve thought of it. I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s likely. But something like that I would view as possible. It was considered. Something we’ve talked about.”
The Yankees are likely to go with Brett Gardner as their leadoff man. He had a .350 on-base percentage last season and has posted a .347 mark for his career. But Judge’s sparkling .422 on-base percentage last season, which was third in the league, is likely what had Boone considering the possibility.
Teams typically want to lead off with a player likely to get on base. However, when that player also has 50-homer power, the potential to drive in runs with a homer seems more enticing. That’s why Judge will likely bat behind Gardner in the two-hole.
However, in games where Gardner does not play, it seems like moving Judge to leadoff would be in consideration. Outfielder Aaron Hicks would also be a possibility for the leadoff spot on those days as well.
H/T CBS Sports
