Aaron Judge’s captaincy questioned as MLB analyst compares Yankees star to Dodgers leader Miguel Rojas

Aaron Judge is once again in the middle of a big baseball debate. This time, it is not about home runs or contracts. It is about leadership. On Wednesday, in the United States, MLB content creator and coach Jake Savicki said he does not believe Aaron Judge is a true leader, even though Judge has been the New York Yankees captain since the end of the 2022 season.

Jake Savicki shared his thoughts on the latest episode of his “Hold My Ball” podcast. His comments quickly spread across social media. With Aaron Judge also set to lead Team USA at the 2026 World Baseball Classic, the timing of the statement made even more people stop and listen.

Jake Savicki says Aaron Judge does not show true leadership traits

Speaking on Wednesday’s podcast episode, Jake Savicki made his view very clear. “I don’t think Aaron Judge is a leader,” Savicki said.

“I think there’s very little emotion he shows. You can’t just make a leader out of a guy. If he’s not a natural leader, then you’re not going to get a leader out of him.”

Savicki explained that, for him, leadership is not only about numbers on the field. He said there is a big difference between being a great player and being a vocal, emotional presence in the clubhouse.

To explain his point, he brought up Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas. Savicki said players like Rojas give something extra that does not always show in stats.

“There’s leaders that produce, and then there’s leaders like a Miguel Rojas,” Savicki added. “There’s a reason he was even in that game.”

Savicki was talking about the 2025 World Series. Miguel Rojas did not play in the first five games. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts put him in Game 6 mainly for defense.



But in Game 7, Rojas changed everything. He hit a game-tying solo home run off Toronto Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman in the ninth inning.

Later, he made a game-saving defensive play. The Dodgers went on to win the game in 11 innings.

Savicki said moments like that show leadership in action. In the same episode, Jake Savicki also questioned how the New York Yankees are building around Aaron Judge.

“Why haven’t they signed Tucker already? Why haven’t they signed Belly already?” Savicki asked, referring to Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger.

“Why haven’t they signed Bo Bichette? Why haven’t they signed Alex Bregman? What are they doing?” Savicki said the Yankees are wasting Aaron Judge’s best years.

He also criticized the team’s handling of top prospect Spencer Jones, saying the young outfielder has played well in the minors but has not been given real chances.

“They’re called the Evil Empire for a reason,” Savicki said. “People are enjoying the fall of the Yankees.

But I like baseball, and I want to see Aaron Judge get what he deserves.” Aaron Judge has won major personal awards and broken records.

But he has reached the World Series only once. That came in 2024, when the Yankees lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games.

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