Aaron Judge will once again lead the New York Yankees lineup this season in what has become one of MLB’s most dangerous offensive units. The team’s batting order looks almost identical to last year, which is a positive considering the Yankees led the league in run production in 2025.
Judge was the driving force behind that success as he captured his third American League MVP award and his first batting title. The 33‑year‑old superstar posted a .331 batting average, .457 on‑base percentage, 1.144 OPS, 53 home runs and 114 RBIs across 152 games. This year, Judge has a major new piece of support in first baseman Ben Rice.
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Rice debuted in 2024 and struggled across 50 games, but he was a completely different player in 2025. He broke out with a .255 batting average, .337 on‑base percentage, .836 OPS, 26 home runs and 65 RBIs, quickly becoming one of the most important young players in the organization.
His rise has made him a fan favorite in New York, and on Monday he took to social media to announce a new partnership with Ben's Rice, a company that produces flavored microwavable rice pouch products. With the company sharing nearly the same name as Rice, the collaboration felt natural.
Rice posted his first commercial with the brand on Instagram to showcase the partnership, and Judge was quick to show support in the comments for his teammate. “It just happens,” Judge wrote.
With Rice building his profile off the field, he and Judge will now shift their focus toward Wednesday, when the Yankees open their season against the San Francisco Giants on the road.
Expectations remain high in the Bronx as the Yankees continue their pursuit of their first World Series title since 2009, a championship that would further cement Judge’s legacy.
Judge is hoping that he, Rice and the rest of the roster can finally deliver that long‑awaited breakthrough in 2026. The Yankees believe this lineup gives them their best chance in years to end the drought.
