I have been watching the Yankees for years. Aaron Judge is a known quantity. A superstar. A three-time MVP. But something interesting is happening this season. A 27-year-old first baseman named Ben Rice is putting up numbers that deserve attention.
TheBen Rice Yankees stats vs Aaron Judgecomparison is not about who is better. It is about what is actually happening in the Bronx right now. And the numbers are surprising.
The Numbers That Matter Right Now
Let me show you what the data says. I pulled these from multiple sources. They all tell the same story.
Ben Rice in 2026:
Ben Rice is having a breakout season. Through 66 games, he has hit .292 with 20 home runs and 49 RBIs. His OPS is 1.007. That is elite. He has a 176 OPS+. That means he is 76 percent better than the average MLB hitter.
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He has drawn 38 walks against 66 strikeouts. That is a good ratio. He is patient at the plate. He is not just swinging wildly.
Aaron Judge in 2026:
Aaron Judge is having a solid season by normal standards. He is hitting .248 with 17 home runs and 38 RBIs in 59 games. His OPS is .907.
But here is the thing. That is a down year for him. He has a .375 OBP. That is good. His OPS+ is 148. That is still well above average. But it is not the Judge we are used to.
The Tale of the Tape
| Stat | Ben Rice (2026) | Aaron Judge (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Games | 66 | 59 |
| Batting Average | .292 | .248 |
| Home Runs | 20 | 17 |
| RBIs | 49 | 38 |
| OPS | 1.007 | .907 |
| OPS+ | 176 | 148 |
| Walks | 38 | 42 |
| Strikeouts | 66 | 72 |
The numbers are clear. Rice is outperforming Judge in almost every category this season. That is not a knock on Judge. It is a testament to how well Rice is playing.
Why This Matters?
The Yankees have dealt with injuries this season. Judge was diagnosed with a stress fracture of the first rib on his right side. He is expected to miss four to six weeks.
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That is a big blow. The Yankees have a.765 OPS with Judge and .744 without him. That difference matters.
But here is the silver lining. The team is fourth in MLB in OPS without Judge. That is because players like Rice are stepping up.
MLB team home run leaders 2026:The Yankees lead MLB with 98 home runs as of mid-June. Rice has been a big part of that.
How They Compare Historically
Judge is a proven star. His career numbers are on a Hall of Fame trajectory. He has a .291 batting average with 385 career home runs.
Rice is just getting started. He has 53 career home runs in 254 games. He is pre-arbitration eligible. That means he is cheap and controllable.
The comparison is not about legacy. It is about the present. Right now, Rice is producing at a level that rivals the best hitters in baseball.
MLB home run leaders 2026:Rice is tied for seventh in MLB with 20 homers. Judge is tied for 15th with 17.
The First Base Question
Ben Rice is the Yankees' primary first baseman. He has played 41 games there this season. His fielding percentage is .994. That is solid.
Aaron Judge is an outfielder. He plays right field primarily. The two are not competing for the same position. They are on the same team.
But the comparison matters for contract discussions. Rice is young and cheap. Judge is 34 and on a massive contract. The Yankees need to plan for the future.
What the Experts Say
The Athletic analyzed the Yankees' offense without Judge. They found that the team ranks fourth in wRC+ without him. That is a testament to the depth of the lineup.
Rice is a big reason for that. His .292 average and 20 homers are carrying the offense.
What to Watch For
Judge is expected back before the season ends. He will likely regain his form. He is too good to stay down for long.
Rice has shown he can handle the pressure. He is not just a fill-in. He is a legitimate major league hitter.
TheMLB team with most home runs in a seasonrecord is 307 by the 2021 Twins. The Yankees have 98 at the midpoint. They are on pace for about 200. That is not a record pace. But it is solid.
My Take
I have watched both players closely. Judge is the better overall talent. He has the track record. He has the power. He has the presence.
But Rice is having a better season right now. That is not an opinion. That is what the numbers say. He is hitting for average. He is hitting for power. He is drawing walks.
If I am building a lineup today, I want both of them. They complement each other. Judge provides the veteran presence. Rice provides the youthful production.
The Yankees have a good problem. They have two hitters who can carry the offense. That is rare. That is valuable.
The Final Thoughts
TheBen Rice Yankees stats vs Aaron Judgecomparison is not about who is the better player. It is about who is playing better right now. And right now, Rice is outhitting Judge.
Does that mean Rice is the better player? No. Judge has the career. Judge has the history. He will be remembered as one of the best.
But Rice is making a name for himself. He is proving he belongs. And that is worth paying attention to.
