Boone doesn't believe Judge has been hot yet: 'Buckle up'

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge has been the hottest hitter in baseball so far this season, but manager Aaron Boone believes there's much more to come from the two-time AL MVP.

"I'm not being cute or funny, I don't think he's really been that hot yet," Boone said Tuesday before the Yankees took on the Baltimore Orioles, according to YES Network.

"Honestly, he's getting his hits, and I think it's a credit to just how great he is, but when he gets really going and starts hitting balls in the seats routinely, buckle up."

Judge is off to one of the best starts of his career for the first-place Yankees. The 33-year-old slugger entered Tuesday leading the majors in batting average (.405), on-base percentage (496), slugging percentage (.703), hits (45), RBIs (28), and fWAR (2.7).

He wound up hitting a homer off Orioles starter Kyle Gibson in the top half of the first inning of Tuesday's game before making a diving grab in the bottom part of the frame.

Judge is also striking out at a career-low 21.4%, has played above-average defense in right field, and has stolen three bases after swiping just 10 last season.

Boone praised his captain for his determination to keep improving each year, even though he's already one of baseball's best players.

"Every year, he's always wanting to get a little bit better, and I think he's just a more well-rounded hitter," Boone opined of Judge, who was the unanimous AL MVP winner in 2024.