Aaron Judge, the towering New York Yankees captain and two-time American League MVP, continues to dominate at the plate in 2025, making a compelling case for a third MVP crown. With a blistering .354 batting average, 28 home runs, and 68 RBIs, Judge remains a force to be reckoned with, even after a slight June slump following a scorching start where he flirted with a .400 average. But for Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Ryan Pepiot, facing the slugger is a unique challenge—one he’s met with a bold perspective that’s turning heads.
Pepiot, a rising star in the Rays’ rotation, has faced Judge nine times, with the Yankees captain going 4-for-9 for an eye-popping .444 batting average against him. Yet, Pepiot sees a silver lining in their matchups. On the Hold My Ball Podcast with Jake Savicki (12:00 onwards), the Rays ace shared a confident take: not allowing a home run to Judge is a victory in itself. “Yeah, absolutely,” Pepiot said. “You’re just trying to keep him in the yard because he’s going to put up 50-60 homers a year. You just don’t want to give up one of them, you know.”
The pitcher’s reasoning highlights the daunting task of facing Judge, whose 6’7” frame and exceptional plate discipline make him a nightmare for pitchers. Pepiot vividly recalled a moment earlier this season when Judge obliterated a high fastball, underscoring the difficulty of pitching up in the zone to a hitter of his stature. “You can’t just throw it high and hope,” Pepiot noted, acknowledging Judge’s ability to punish mistakes with ease.
While Pepiot’s confidence against Judge is noteworthy, his season took a hit during a recent outing against the Baltimore Orioles. Coming off a stellar stretch with a 1.64 ERA over his previous six starts, Pepiot endured a career-worst performance on Friday. In just 1.2 innings—his shortest start of the season—he surrendered four earned runs, setting the stage for a stunning Orioles comeback. Down 6-0, Baltimore roared back to win 22-8, leaving Pepiot and the Rays reeling.
Despite the rough night, Pepiot’s bold mindset and ability to hold his own against one of baseball’s biggest stars show his potential as a cornerstone for Tampa Bay. As Judge continues his MVP-caliber campaign, Pepiot’s refusal to back down—and his knack for keeping the slugger’s power in check—marks him as a pitcher to watch. For now, the Rays ace is focused on bouncing back, ready to take on the game’s elite with the same fearless attitude that defines his approach to facing Aaron Judge.