New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge is off to a slow defensive start in right field. Through 15 games, he is posting career-worst numbers in outs above average and runs prevented.

Judge ranks 31st of 34 qualified right fielders, with an outs above average of (-1) and runs prevented of 0, much lower than his 2016–2025 rankings. From 2016 to 2025, Judge posted 26 outs above average and 24 runs prevented, ranking fourth among defensive right fielders.

Furthermore, his defensive statistics have declined from just 2025 alone. In 2025, he was the fifth-best defensive right fielder with an outs above average and runs prevented number of four.

Judge’s defensive drop stems from low effort. In 15 games, he has jogged after hits or stopped short, letting the fly ball fall for hits. On April 4, 2026, Marlins outfielder Heriberto Hernandez hit a first-inning line drive to right-center. Judge trotted toward the gap with centerfielder Trent Grisham to retrieve it. 

At the warning track, Judge stopped and looked to the infield before Grisham retrieved the ball. Hernandez reached third for a two-out triple. Since 2025, Hernandez has been the 71st-fastest player in the league, averaging 28.7 feet per second. He also ranks 287th in home plate to first base speed, averaging a time of 4.32.

The statistics have contributed to him being a base-to-base type of player. In 99 Major League games, Hernandez has not shown notable speed. Of his 76 career hits, only three were extra-base hits, and he has three stolen bases.

Given these factors, had Judge shown more urgency, Hernandez likely would have been held to a double. Fortunately, Hernandez did not score. Judge’s lack of urgency continued. On April 10, 2026, Junior Caminero of the Rays batted in the sixth against Camilo Doval with runners on first and second. 

Junior hit a shallow fly to right. Judge ran in but slowed two to three seconds before it hit the ground, letting it drop inches in front. As of today, neither Judge nor the Yankees has addressed his urgency in the outfield. My theory: he is trying to stay healthy since starting meaningful games in early March 2026 to go along with his age. 

Judge played right field for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, playing seven full games beginning on March 6. His season began three weeks earlier than most teammates thus he could be concerned about getting tired earlier in the season.

Secondly, Judge is in the final stages of his athletic peak as he is turning 34 in two weeks. He will likely lose significant energy, mobility, and reflexes this season, hampering his outfield play.

If true, Judge should not play outfield, as it will hurt the team. The Yankees should use him as a designated hitter, moving Stanton to the bench, or trading Stanton.