In the absence of Juan Soto, Ben Rice has emerged as a key contributor for the Yankees alongside Aaron Judge, as both players have hit at least 14 home runs in the team’s first 45 games, a feat last achieved by Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris in 1961. Rice, boasting a major-league leading OPS of 1.104, has shown significant improvement this season, hitting consistently against both left- and right-handed pitchers. Their performance has sparked memories of the Judge-Soto duo from two years ago, with Rice’s recent contributions solidifying his status among the league’s top hitters. While they have yet to match the combined production of Judge and Soto, the promising start of Judge and Rice offers hope for the Yankees going forward.
