Aaron Judge, captain of the New York Yankees, weighed in on Juan Soto’s early struggles with the New York Mets, offering a perspective on his former teammate’s adjustment in Queens.

© Photo by Elsa/Getty Images Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees adjusts his hat during batting practice before the game against the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium on April 15, 2025 in the Bronx borough of New York City.

While there’s a notable difference in not having New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge, whom Juan Soto has previously called “the best hitter in baseball,” waiting in the on-deck circle, the New York Mets outfielder remains confident that he will soon find his rhythm with his new team.

Soto’s recent remarks to the New York Post stirred debate on Tuesday, a day after he noted that pitchers have been approaching him with more caution since his move from the Bronx. According to Soto, the absence of Judge’s presence behind him in the lineup has changed the way he’s being pitched.

Although Juan Soto acknowledged the shift in pitcher strategy, he emphasized that he’s “not trying to be selfish” and is willing to take his walks if pitchers refuse to challenge him. His home run on Monday in Minnesota was his first since Game 2 of the season. Statcast data supports his claim: last year, Soto saw 46.5% of pitches in the strike zone, but that number has dipped to 43.2% with the Mets—which would mark a career low.

Judge highlights Soto’s current lineup protection

For his part, Aaron Judge expressed no interest in fueling any controversy, instead redirecting praise to Soto’s current lineup protection, Pete Alonso. “He’s got probably one of the best hitters in the game behind him right now with what Alonso is doing. It’s been fun to watch,” Judge told MLB.com. “He’s hitting [.345] and driving the ball all over the field, driving guys in. So they’re going to be just fine.”

Juan Soto #22 of the New York Mets celebrates his two-run home run against the Minnesota Twins with teammate Pete Alonso #20 in the seventh inning at Target Field on April 14, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Mets defeated the Twins 5-1. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Judge trusts Soto’s adaptability

Judge also underscored his belief in Soto’s ability to adjust, pointing to his own slow start last April as a relevant example. “I’ve seen Soto now watching the league for so many years, and getting a chance to see him up close—he can look at what I did last April for an example of, he just needs to keep being himself. He’s going to be just fine,” Judge added, sent a clear message on showing confidence in Soto’s resilience and long-term performance.