The Kids are Alright: Aaron Judge & Cody Bellinger
By Patrick Zeng
@Roundtripper891
Much has been made about baseball's lack of star appeal. Even with players such as Mike Trout & Bryce Harper, it has been a struggle for baseball's best to gain traction for a national audience. And while this will always be somewhat of the case as baseball lends itself much more to a regional audience than a national one, two new stars may just break down that regional barrier. Cody Bellinger and Aaron Judge are lighting the baseball world on fire with their seasons thus far. Stationed in two of the largest media markets in the country, the two are set to make it big.
At the end of last season, there seemed to be a hung jury on projecting the outlook of Aaron Judge. The 6'7" outfielder showed flashes of power, but struck out in 50% of his at bats compiling a .179 batting average. But this season has been nothing short of incredible for the towering right fielder. Judge has slugged his way to a major league leading 26 home runs as well as 59 RBIs and a .332 batting average. Possibly more incredible is his .440 on base percentage in comparison to last years .263 mark, which displays his gargantuan increase in plate discipline.
With Judge the Yankees have certainly tried to market him as much as possible as the franchise clearly sees his marketability. With the Judge's chamber being established in the stands as well as "All Rise" merchandise being sold, the Yankees know that they may really have something both on and off the field for the first time since Derek Jeter hung up his cleats.
On the opposite coast, the Dodgers also just may have something special. Much was made of another Yankee, Gary Sanchez, when he set the record for hitting 21 home runs in his first 53 major league games, but that record only stood for less than a year as Dodgers sensation Cody Bellinger broke that mark just last week. With 24 home runs, Bellinger leads the national league despite missing most of the month of April. His powerful left handed swing has proven to be more than enough to devastate pitching even in the pitcher friendly Dodgers Stadium.
Bellinger has also added 5 stolen bases to his offensive output and has proven defensive versatility by playing both first base and the outfield. Bellinger has established himself as a vital part of the Dodger lineup in the absence of Adrian Gonzalez and has helped power LA to a 51-26 record and a spot in first place in the incredibly competitive national league west.
📸: Dodgersway.com
Both of these stars may be exactly what baseball needs. While there is talent like Trout, Harper, Lindor and Correa in the league, there's something different about Judge and Bellinger. What may be most mouthwatering to Major League Baseball is that they both play for flagship franchises in the American and National leagues. This may be the combination needed for these stars to eclipse that regional label that so many fall victim to. By playing loads of nationally televised games by playing in huge markets and excelling at baseball's most romantic and excitable play, the home run.
Both Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger have had meteoric rises to stardom this season. Running very similar paths on opposite sides of the country, these two sluggers may be just what baseball so desperately craves. And as long as they stay on this path, no ballpark(or sponsorship) will be able to match their power.
@Roundtripper891
Much has been made about baseball's lack of star appeal. Even with players such as Mike Trout & Bryce Harper, it has been a struggle for baseball's best to gain traction for a national audience. And while this will always be somewhat of the case as baseball lends itself much more to a regional audience than a national one, two new stars may just break down that regional barrier. Cody Bellinger and Aaron Judge are lighting the baseball world on fire with their seasons thus far. Stationed in two of the largest media markets in the country, the two are set to make it big.
At the end of last season, there seemed to be a hung jury on projecting the outlook of Aaron Judge. The 6'7" outfielder showed flashes of power, but struck out in 50% of his at bats compiling a .179 batting average. But this season has been nothing short of incredible for the towering right fielder. Judge has slugged his way to a major league leading 26 home runs as well as 59 RBIs and a .332 batting average. Possibly more incredible is his .440 on base percentage in comparison to last years .263 mark, which displays his gargantuan increase in plate discipline.
📸: New York Post
With Judge the Yankees have certainly tried to market him as much as possible as the franchise clearly sees his marketability. With the Judge's chamber being established in the stands as well as "All Rise" merchandise being sold, the Yankees know that they may really have something both on and off the field for the first time since Derek Jeter hung up his cleats.
On the opposite coast, the Dodgers also just may have something special. Much was made of another Yankee, Gary Sanchez, when he set the record for hitting 21 home runs in his first 53 major league games, but that record only stood for less than a year as Dodgers sensation Cody Bellinger broke that mark just last week. With 24 home runs, Bellinger leads the national league despite missing most of the month of April. His powerful left handed swing has proven to be more than enough to devastate pitching even in the pitcher friendly Dodgers Stadium.
Bellinger has also added 5 stolen bases to his offensive output and has proven defensive versatility by playing both first base and the outfield. Bellinger has established himself as a vital part of the Dodger lineup in the absence of Adrian Gonzalez and has helped power LA to a 51-26 record and a spot in first place in the incredibly competitive national league west.
Both of these stars may be exactly what baseball needs. While there is talent like Trout, Harper, Lindor and Correa in the league, there's something different about Judge and Bellinger. What may be most mouthwatering to Major League Baseball is that they both play for flagship franchises in the American and National leagues. This may be the combination needed for these stars to eclipse that regional label that so many fall victim to. By playing loads of nationally televised games by playing in huge markets and excelling at baseball's most romantic and excitable play, the home run.
Both Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger have had meteoric rises to stardom this season. Running very similar paths on opposite sides of the country, these two sluggers may be just what baseball so desperately craves. And as long as they stay on this path, no ballpark(or sponsorship) will be able to match their power.
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