"He's very dangerous" - Former Yankees manager Joe Girardi credits Aaron Judge for his continued batting breakthroughs as 2022 AL MVP shines

While most would heap praise at Aaron Judge for his home run stat, former manager Joe Girardi would grind at a much deeper level. Having been associated with the Yankees as a manager between 2008-17, Girardi worked with Judge during his early days in the league.

Judge made his debut under Girardi in August 2016 after the Yankees drafted him with their 32nd overall pick in the 2013 MLB draft. Girardi shared his opinion on the current performance of the Yankees captain who is churning up MVP numbers.

“In 2017, he batted .212 on breaking balls with a .429 slug,” Girardi said via Newsday. “He’s hitting .263 with a .609 slug (this year). What I’ve seen is that he’s learned to lay off the chase breaking ball and swing at the hanger. And he’s very dangerous. He always hit fastballs, but, to me, that (adjustment to breaking balls) has been the biggest improvement.

“And what you’ve seen is that in 2017, his whiff rate on breaking balls was 50%. This year it’s 41%. But that’s a substantial difference. Because that means for every 100, he’s hitting nine more of them. And if he hits it, it’s damage ... because he has learned to lay off pitches," he added.

"This is the lowest his strikeout rate has ever been. And that’s scary. A guy with his power to have almost average strikeout percentage, that’s a scary thought.”

With Aaron Judge doing well this season, it has reflected in the Yankees' record. They are tied with the Baltimore Orioles for the AL East division lead, with identical 67-46 records.

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Joe Girardi compares Aaron Judge and Derek Jeter's leadership quality

After Derek Jeter retired in 2014, the Yankees were in search of their new captain. No one seemed to fit the role until Aaron Judge came through the ranks and assured his commitment to the Bronx. They eventully gave him the leadership role.

In a conversation with Kevin Harvick on MLB Network, Joe Girardi found the leadership qualities between Judge and Jeter similar.

"They're kind of quiet leaders in a sense where they are going to talk to players individually. They're never going to embarrass players. They're always going to act like their big brother," Girardi said.

Girardi loves the fact that Aaron Judge would always wait for everyone to get in a dugout before embracing them.

"It's more of a 'not in your face' type of leadership, more of a loving leadership, and I think they are pretty similar, actually," Girardi added.

The Yankees couldn't have asked for any better leader who not only leads from the front but also know how to connect with teammates on professional and personal fronts.

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Derek Jeter won five World Series for the Yankees. How many do you think Judge will help the Yankees win?