Did Aaron Judge's elite bat speed contribute to his injury?

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge suffered a stress fracture in his rib after colliding with a pitch in late April. Bat‑speed tracking introduced in 2023 revealed that players with the highest swing velocities tend to miss more games due to injury.

Judge’s average bat speed, recorded at roughly 101 mph (162 km/h), is now being examined as a possible factor in the fracture. Team physicians stress that recovery timelines are individual and Judge is focusing on a tailored rehab program.

The case has reignited discussion about whether elite swing speeds increase injury risk across the league.