Another surprising twist unfolded in MLB as the Cleveland Guardians edged out the New York Yankees 3-2. While upset losses for the Yankees are becoming more common this season, this particular game triggered memories of Aaron Judge’s costly mistake during Game 5 of the 2024 World Series.
The current buzz revolves around a missed catch by Judge in the outfield, and fans wasted no time dragging Juan Soto into the conversation as well. The incident occurred when Guardians slugger Kyle Manzardo hit a low liner off a Mark Leiter Jr. fastball. Judge, known for his athletic ability, charged aggressively and attempted a diving catch. Unfortunately, the ball dropped just out of reach and rolled toward the wall. Manzardo hustled into second base and might have pushed for third depending on the bounce.
AARON MF JUDGE. pic.twitter.com/a5Pds8bDvn
— KutterIsKing (@KutterIsKing) April 23, 2025
It was a textbook example of the risks outfielders face. Had Judge played it safe, Manzardo might have only reached first. But the aggressive dive was an all-or-nothing decision, and this time, it didn’t pay off. Judge’s defensive miscue brought back memories of his infamous error in the 2024 World Series, especially among Yankees fans who haven’t forgotten.
Meanwhile, fans also took the opportunity to bring up Juan Soto. While Soto is an offensive powerhouse and arguably one of the best hitters in baseball, his defense, especially in the outfield, has long been questioned. His struggles with reaction time and poor routes to fly balls often lead to awkward plays or missed chances.
So, the conversation quickly became a comparison between Judge and Soto. Some fans mocked Judge, suggesting he was beginning to resemble Soto in the field. This comparison sparked debate. In 2024, both players posted comparable Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) metrics, reflecting their shared struggles on defense. Judge and Soto each had forgettable moments, like Soto’s misread fly ball against the Cardinals in 2024 that allowed a double.
Despite that, not all fans are quick to criticize Judge. Some pointed out the difficulty of the play and defended the effort behind the dive. Others highlighted another moment in the game—Judge making a spectacular catch in the fifth inning. In that instance, he ran 51 feet to make a leaping grab and rob Brayan Rocchio of what looked like a sure extra-base hit. It was a classic Judge moment, showing his defensive upside.
Critics referencing these few errors might be overreacting. Judge’s misplay in the 2024 World Series was, in fact, his first error in nearly 2,000 career innings as a center fielder, highlighting how rare such mistakes are. His strong track record, including multiple Gold Glove nominations, supports the notion that he remains a dependable defender overall.
Still, it didn’t stop Yankees fans from using the opportunity to criticize Soto once more, even when he wasn’t directly involved. Whether fair or not, the spotlight on Judge’s defense has reopened the debate—and it seems like the comparison to Soto is here to stay.