The New York Yankees didn’t just kick off the 2025 season with a bang—they’ve been explosive on the scoreboard.
Three games, three wins, and an astonishing 36 runs against the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Bombers have stormed out of the gate like a team on a mission, and while the pace will likely level out over 162 games, this early surge has given fans a glimpse of the offense’s potential.
Judge Takes Center Stage… and Rightfully So
When a player hits four home runs and drives in 11 runs over the course of three games, it’s hard not to steal the spotlight.
Aaron Judge is on another level right now. The 32-year-old captain is putting up video game-like numbers, reminding everyone why he’s always in the MVP conversation. His timing, bat speed, and ability to capitalize on mistakes are all firing on all cylinders.
Every time he steps up to the plate, it feels like something big is about to happen, but that shouldn’t overshadow the other key contributors who are helping fuel the Yankees’ hot start.
Ben Rice Shines in the Background
While Judge’s dominance has stolen the headlines, 26-year-old lefty slugger Ben Rice has been quietly making an impact.
In three games, Rice is putting up an impressive .500/.571/1.000 slash line, with one home run, three runs scored, one RBI, and balanced walk and strikeout rates of 14.3%.
While his numbers might not be as flashy as Judge’s, they highlight consistency and potential. Rice is confidently handling pitches and has already shown he could be a long-term contributor to this Yankees offense. He’s stepping up in the absence of Giancarlo Stanton and fulfilling expectations.
Ben Rice
A Potential DH Dilemma
When Stanton eventually returns from his elbow injury—though that’s still months away—the Yankees could face an interesting decision.
If Rice continues to perform at this level, how do you keep his bat out of the lineup?
A possible solution could be a platoon between him and Stanton based on pitching matchups. However, if Rice keeps producing, manager Aaron Boone may be faced with a tough choice: keep Rice in the lineup and have Stanton adjust to a new role or take a backseat.
Luckily for Rice, he has time to prove himself, as Stanton’s return is still months away, giving him ample opportunity to earn his spot.
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