Alex Rodriguez, Chipper Jones Talk Aaron Judge's Future Without Juan Soto on Yankees

Former MLB stars Alex Rodriguez and Chipper Jones discussed Aaron Judge's 2025 outlook without star outfielder Juan Soto ahead of him in the New York Yankees lineup.

"Soto was there for just one year, and Judge hit 62 homers in a year before Soto arrived," Rodriguez told ESPN's Buster Olney.

The three-time American League MVP noted that Judge won't benefit from having Soto's ability to generate tough at-bats and rack up walks, though.

"Otherwise, there are times when you don't even have the donut on your bat in the on-deck circle yet and you're walking to the plate because the guy in front of you is a quick out and they're calling your name," Rodriguez explained, per Olney.

Jones also believed that the absence of Soto and his .419 on-base percentage in 2024, the second-highest mark in the majors, will "definitely have an effect" on Judge.

"Soto is a bad man at the plate," Jones told Olney. "I'm not sure the Yankees have someone who even approaches Soto's OBP on their roster."

Judge proved himself as one of MLB's most imposing players at the plate prior to Soto's arrival, racking up 138 home runs and 304 RBI to go with a 1.017 OPS from 2021-23.

Still, it may be difficult for him to replicate his career-high 144 RBI from the 2024 season after Soto signed a 15-year contract worth $765 million with the New York Mets.

Judge had 350 plate appearances with men on base in 2024, the highest mark since he entered the majors in 2016 (via Baseball Reference).

While he may have the same power at the plate in 2025, it could be harder for him to drive in runs at an identical rate compared to his impressive 2024 campaign.