Yanks Inbox: How does Judge measure up?

How worried should we be about Aaron Judge’s Major League performance? Do you have any comparisons between how he did in his first 80-plus at-bats and other players who struggled similarly? — Binyamin G., Beit Shemesh, Israel

The most concerning part of Judge’s 2016 season was his high strikeout rate, as he fanned 42 times in 84 at-bats (95 plate appearances) while hitting .179 with four home runs and 10 RBIs. No non-pitcher in Major League history has had more strikeouts in fewer at-bats or plate appearances during a season.

If we relax the numbers a little, though, it’s not difficult to come up with a few encouraging names. Jose Bautista struck out in 40 of 88 at-bats in 2004, and Chris Davis struck out 40 times in 120 at-bats for the ’10 Rangers. Both developed into feared power threats; the pressure will now be on Judge to make similar adjustments.

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Here’s someone who should be able to offer some useful one-on-one counseling: As a rookie with the A’s in 1967, Reggie Jackson struck out 46 times in 118 at-bats, hitting just one homer. In fact, with the big swings that would eventually produce 563 career home runs, the future Mr. October led the American League in strikeouts over his first four full seasons.

“When I see a guy like Judge, I can certainly look at him and say, ‘That’s what I once was,’ a guy with a lot of power who swung and missed a lot.” Jackson said in September. “I was fortunate, the organization I was with in Oakland, they let me play and learn on the job. It’ll be the same thing for him. He’ll have to adjust. I want to see him get his education here. If he fails, we’re going to help him get better.”

Shouldn’t the Yankees try and get at least one starting pitcher and a bullpen guy? — Barry de B., Almere, …

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