The baseball landscape in New York City crackles with energy, largely thanks to two colossal talents residing in different boroughs. The Yankees have their own towering captain, Aaron Judge, a proven MVP with ghostly power. Across town in Queens, Juan Soto showed up with baseball’s biggest contract and his one-of-a-kind hitting magic for the Mets. Their crosstown presence immediately invited comparisons, unleashing a fascinating debate: Who is the more dominant offensive force right now?
Both superstars started the 2025 season with eye-popping numbers, showcasing why this debate is even a thing. Judge got off to a hot start for the Yankees, batting .357 with 6 home runs and 20 RBIs as of April 20th. He even matched a Babe Ruth mark for home runs in his 1,000th game. Soto, meanwhile, made an immediate impact on the Mets’ lineup, hitting .288 with 4 homers and 12 RBIs, while drawing walks at an elite clip. Most recently, he hit an important two-run homer earlier this month in a Mets win against the Twins.
This elite production naturally leads to conversations about which player poses a bigger challenge for opposing pitchers. And when asked whether Judge had become baseball’s “toughest out” on the “Baseball Today” podcast, the former player Trevor Plouffe, now an MLB insider, pointed out something interesting. “I think he can do the most damage in baseball and you know, obviously he is probably… the best hitter in baseball right now, “Plouffe said. He, however, made a distinction on “toughest out,” ending with, “But toughest out, I’d probably give to like a Juan Soto. Some of that has a little bit more, you know, bat to ball than Judge.”
Plouffe probably leans on Soto’s remarkable plate discipline and contact skills, where the numbers put him over the top. In their miraculous 2024 seasons, Soto struck out significantly less than Judge (119 vs. 171). And posted a much better walk-to-strikeout ratio (1.08 vs. 0.78). This suggests Soto tends to put the ball in play more frequently and rarely gives away at-bats, making him an undying force in the box. And a perfect nightmare for the opposing pitcher.
However, the “tough out” definition probably doesn’t give enough credit to the Judge’s overall advantage in dominance and peak performance. Though Soto may grind through more difficult at-bats, Judge’s overall numbers for 2024 were historic—best in nearly every category, including batting average (.322 vs. .288), OBP (.458 vs. .419), slugging (.701 vs. .569), and OPS (1.159 vs. .989). And advanced stats like wRC+ (219 vs. 180) and WAR (8.1 vs. 7.3). Plus, Judge provides much more defensive value in the outfield, where Soto is below average.
Beyond Judge vs. Soto: the broader battle for New York
Interestingly, despite much of the media and fans arguing and comparing the two players, the two have a lot of mutual respect for each other. Judge once referred to Soto as a “generational talent” and a “game-changer” when they were teammates. And Soto, even after moving to the Mets, hasn’t hesitated to praise his former teammate, stating, “I call him the greatest hitter in the world… He’s just unbelievable.” Their admiration reflects a shared appreciation for elite performance, which cuts across the crosstown rivalry.
Of course, the fight for New York baseball supremacy includes more than just these two titans. The Yankees’ rookie Ben Rice is suddenly a leadoff terror (.310 AVG early in 2025), and veteran Paul Goldschmidt‘s steady production (.352 AVG). As for the Mets, shortstop Francisco Lindor continues to lead, reaching career milestones, while Pete “Polar Bear” Alonso remains a constant home run threat in the middle of their order. These players provide key depth to the rivalry.
With both the Yankees and Mets off to strong 13-7 starts and leading their respective divisions as of April 20th, the stage is set for a thrilling season-long comparison. The Yankees came with a five-game winning streak, and the Mets had won two in a row. The debate agitated by insiders like Plouffe will undoubtedly carry on throughout the summer. And while Soto’s plate discipline makes him incredibly tough, can anyone truly match Judge’s peak power and overall impact? Who will ultimately cast the bigger shadow over New York baseball this year?
The post Despite Praising Aaron Judge’s Heroics, MLB Insider Tips Juan Soto to Take the Edge in Intriguing Power Battle appeared first on EssentiallySports.