Aaron Judge Hits Two HRs in Spring Debut, Eyes WBC

Aaron Judge’s spring debut for the New York Yankees made a statement. He’s back to his peak power and looks ready to contribute right from the jump—both for the regular season and Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.

In a matchup against the Detroit Tigers, Judge, now 33 and a three-time AL MVP, homered twice. He went 2-for-3 and drove in four runs, reminding everyone why pitchers still dread seeing him step in.

Judge’s Spring Debut Delivers Power and Promise

Watching Judge this spring, you can’t help but notice he still brings that elite pop and a veteran’s sense of timing. Against Detroit, he cracked two two-run homers and racked up four RBIs—a pretty loud way to kick off his WBC prep and the Yankees’ season.

Last year, he hit .331 with 53 homers and 114 RBIs. Fans and coaches are watching closely, hoping he keeps that same energy and stays healthy.

Two-Run Homers Jump-Starting Yankees’ Campaign

Those two-run shots? They’re exactly why folks still call Judge one of the game’s top power threats. His first spring box score gave a quick peek at his swing timing and exit velocity, plus that signature bat-to-ball discipline.

Yeah, it’s just spring training, but this kind of start gets people buzzing. Yankees fans want to see Judge anchoring the lineup all year, and honestly, who can blame them?

World Baseball Classic and Team USA: Judge’s Road to Tokyo and Beyond

Looking past the regular season, Judge is gearing up to wear Team USA’s colors as the World Baseball Classic kicks off March 5-11. Pool play happens in Tokyo, Houston, Miami, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The WBC championship lands in Miami on March 17. It’s a big chance for Judge to fine-tune his game against top international talent and keep his momentum rolling for the Yankees, too.

Team USA’s lineup around Judge looks stacked and flexible, which says a lot about the effort behind building a title contender. The expected names joining him include:

• Bryce Harper
• Gunnar Henderson
• Bobby Witt Jr.
• Cal Raleigh
• Kyle Schwarber

This group mixes power, contact, and the ability to drive in runs. Judge sits right at the heart of it, giving Team USA some serious offensive punch.

That blend of seasoned leadership and young, exciting talent could make Team USA a real force as they move through pool play and, if things go their way, the knockout rounds.

Clout, Clarity, and the Unfinished Business Mindset

From his spring comments and what he’s shown on the field, it’s obvious: Judge heads into the WBC and Yankees’ season with one thing on his mind—win early and stay healthy. He’s talked about “unfinished business” after last season, so you can feel his focus on closing the next chapter for both his club and Team USA.

He’s ready to help Team USA and still put up big numbers for the Yankees. That takes careful planning, especially with a schedule that’s going to push his limits in more than one way.

Judge’s spring surge is kind of a preview for fans. You get that mix of power, timing, and urgency—stuff that usually leads to a fast start and sets the tone for a tough international stretch.

Two home runs in his spring debut? That’s not just a stat, it’s a hint at how the Yankees and Team USA are setting things up around him. Makes you wonder if this is the beginning of another huge year for Judge.

As spring rolls on, both Yankees fans and national-team diehards will be glued to his every move. If this debut means anything, Judge is about to be right in the thick of things for both teams as 2026 kicks off.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Yankees’ Judge slugs 2 HRs, ‘excited’ about WBC