Oct 30, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto (22) reacts with outfielder Aaron Judge (99) after Judge dropped a fly ball during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game five of the 2024 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images

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Juan Soto dethrones Aaron Judge as New York’s biggest star

Are we really going down that road?

Before diving into this debate, let’s just establish that I’m not neutral here. But even if I try my best to see this from an objective standpoint, calling Juan Soto the biggest star in New York feels like a stretch.

Sure, Juan Soto is a generational talent. Sure, he’s fresh off a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million deal with the Mets. But are we really putting him above Aaron Judge? If we’re talking pure talent and body of work, are we really going down a road that puts Juan Soto over Aaron Judge?

The Bronx belongs to Aaron Judge

In a city full of superstars, it’s always the 6-foot-7 giant from the Bronx that shines the brightest. Maybe if someone argued Karl-Anthony Towns deserved a higher spot, there’s a conversation to be had. But Juan Soto over Aaron Judge?

Aaron Judge was asked if he was "surprised" Juan Soto left for the Mets for a better chance to win a World Series:

"That's his opinion. He can say what he wants, I definitely disagree with it. I wasn't too surprised by it, I think that's where he wanted to be." pic.twitter.com/1Y3p51YkNW
— SNY Yankees (@snyyankees) February 17, 2025

Together, they were unbelievable. And while crosstown rivals have had superstars before, none have drawn comparisons to Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig like these two did.

Oh, what it could’ve been.

But one could argue they were so good because they were together – except for the fact that Aaron Judge was doing this long before Soto arrived. Sure, 2024 was the year they finally made it back to the Fall Classic, but Judge has been carrying the Yankees for years.

Soto’s talent is undeniable. He’s one of the most disciplined hitters in baseball and has power to match. Since debuting in 2018, he’s walked 769 times, nearly 200 more than the next closest player, Bryce Harper (580). Last season, he hit a career-high 41 home runs while batting ahead of Judge in the Yankees’ order. His career numbers – a .285 batting average and .953 OPS with 201 home runs.

But here’s where Judge separates himself.

lol. The hate Aaron Judge gets is galactic.

Aaron Judge is better than Juan Soto in every facet of the game. https://t.co/LYNxqBfBH3 pic.twitter.com/C2pBth3NCa
— The Yankees SuperFan (@YanksSuperFan) February 26, 2025

Judge’s career slash line sits at .288 with a staggering 1.010 OPS. He’s launched 315 home runs and has taken home two AL MVP awards in the last three seasons. Since 2022, no player has hit more home runs than Judge (157). Last year alone, he finished with 58 homers and a 1.159 OPS – his second-best season behind only his historic 62-homer campaign in 2022. And if not for his slow April last season (after missing time in spring training), Judge could’ve topped his 62-homer season from 2022.

ALSO READ: Despite five-game World Series collapse, Nestor Cortes insists Yankees were ‘better team’

Soto might be younger, but Judge has the resume.

2025 Projections (According to BR)

Juan Soto: 31 HR, .273 BA, 86 RBI, .920 OPS
Aaron Judge: 46 HR, .293 BA, 106 RBI, 1.048 OPS

If these numbers hold, and for whatever it’s worth, Judge remains ahead, again. Aaron Judge also finished first in AL MVP voting last year. Soto finished third, behind Bobby Witt Jr.

ALSO READ: When will Shohei Ohtani make his 2025 spring training debut? Latest update on Dodgers’ superstar

If there’s one argument in Soto’s favor, it’s his age. At 26, he has a long runway ahead of him, while Judge, going to turn 33, has dealt with injuries in recent years. Soto also brings elite power with his discipline at the plate, making him one of the most dangerous hitters in the game.

Fox Sports said Soto “can do virtually anything on the field.” That’s just not true. If we’re talking defense, then, well… let’s not. Soto might have a higher ceiling than Judge, given his age and Judge’s injury history. But right now? Judge is still the biggest star in New York.

https://twitter.com/KwanMVP/status/1873215814268272650

So, dethroned? Yeah, no.

Aaron Judge

Juan Soto

Mets

New York

New York Mets

New York Yankees

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Mohsin Baldiwala

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Mohsin Baldiwala is a Master’s student in Journalism and freelance content producer who got hooked on baseball through Seinfeld’s hapless George Costanza. The same reason why he’s a Yankees fan. He writes about sports because he believes it can offer a brief escape from the world’s chaos. Even if that means enduring the heartbreak of the 2024 World Series.