Fansided

5 Yankees who won’t meet expectations in 2019

By Rucker Haringey

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 08: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees strikes out to end the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox in Game Three of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 8, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Red Sox defeated the Yankees 16-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 08: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees strikes out to end the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox in Game Three of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 8, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Red Sox defeated the Yankees 16-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 3: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees celebrates after scoring a run during the American League Wild Card game against the Oakland Athletics at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 3: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees celebrates after scoring a run during the American League Wild Card game against the Oakland Athletics at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

1. Aaron Judge

Some Yankees fans believe Judge is above reproach. Predictably, they won’t buy in to the idea that he might underachieve in 2019. Those same fans believe Judge will absolutely be an MVP candidate next season.

We’re not prepared to go quite that far. Judge should put up another All-Star campaign for the Yankees next year, but we’re not convinced he’s primed to take a massive step forward. His inability to make consistent contact with the baseball will continue to limit his ceiling.

Remember, Judge struck out 152 times in 112 games last season. When he squares pitches up he can hit some of the most majestic home runs you’ll ever see. However, he needs to hit more singles and doubles if he wants to become a serious MVP candidate. We like Judge’s chances to develop that part of his game over time, but taking a massive leap in contact rate in just one season is relatively rare.

Next. 5 Yankees who will disappoint in 2019. dark

None of this is to say Judge isn’t a great player. He’s one of the most feared hitters in baseball for a reason. He’s also the Yankees best player. Judge can lead this team to a World Series championship and still post a stat line that’s well below most people’s expectations. That’s why he’s our No. 1 choice to underachieve in 2019.

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