"Judge and Goldschmidt first met during the lockout. Then they crossed paths last season at the All-Star Game and again when the Yankees came to St. Louis for a series with the Cardinals. “I know he loves baseball,” Judge said. “Loves his craft.” The two texted throughout the remainder of the season, though Goldschmidt’s communications began taking on a more specific purpose. “I felt like I was reaching out to him, trying to get together and just hit,” he said, “spend a day together.” That’s how, for a few hours on a winter day, two of the best hitters on the planet went to work."
"Judge hopes to improve his situational hitting overall, part of the reason he’s been focused on his two-strike approach. He’s studied how Philadelphia’s Bryce Harper and San Diego’s Juan Soto treat those situations. He’s also looked to the past. “I loved watching Albert Pujols back in the day when he would just kind of pick up his toe and kind of went after it,” he said. “It’s so simple. It’s easy and he keeps the power. I think that was one thing that ties it in.”
In Goldschmidt, Judge found a perfect tutor. Unlike Harper and Soto, Goldschmidt’s power is from the right side, just like Judge. But unlike Judge, who uses a high leg kick, Goldschmidt uses his simple no-stride approach in every count. Clearly, it has worked, and it hasn’t cost him any power. In his 12 big league seasons, Goldschmidt has reached the 30-homer mark seven times, including last season when he finished with 35.
“Getting a chance to talk with Goldy, he’s a bigger right-handed hitter that still hits for power without a leg kick,” Judge said. “That always enticed me a little bit. … Some guys make adjustments with the no-stride and they kind of lose their power and kind of fight it off. I don’t want to be that type of guy. I want to still have a little bit of power, a little bit of juice and keep that going.”
Judge didn’t waste time with his newfound knowledge. Shortly after his hitting session with Goldschmidt, Judge reached out to Schenck. He wanted to get some cage work in to specifically focus on ditching his stride with two strikes. Within days, Judge was with Schenck, practicing the tips he picked up from his time with Goldschmidt."
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4301377/2023/03/14/aaron-judge-paul-goldschmidt-mvp/
"Judge hopes to improve his situational hitting overall, part of the reason he’s been focused on his two-strike approach. He’s studied how Philadelphia’s Bryce Harper and San Diego’s Juan Soto treat those situations. He’s also looked to the past. “I loved watching Albert Pujols back in the day when he would just kind of pick up his toe and kind of went after it,” he said. “It’s so simple. It’s easy and he keeps the power. I think that was one thing that ties it in.”
In Goldschmidt, Judge found a perfect tutor. Unlike Harper and Soto, Goldschmidt’s power is from the right side, just like Judge. But unlike Judge, who uses a high leg kick, Goldschmidt uses his simple no-stride approach in every count. Clearly, it has worked, and it hasn’t cost him any power. In his 12 big league seasons, Goldschmidt has reached the 30-homer mark seven times, including last season when he finished with 35.
“Getting a chance to talk with Goldy, he’s a bigger right-handed hitter that still hits for power without a leg kick,” Judge said. “That always enticed me a little bit. … Some guys make adjustments with the no-stride and they kind of lose their power and kind of fight it off. I don’t want to be that type of guy. I want to still have a little bit of power, a little bit of juice and keep that going.”
Judge didn’t waste time with his newfound knowledge. Shortly after his hitting session with Goldschmidt, Judge reached out to Schenck. He wanted to get some cage work in to specifically focus on ditching his stride with two strikes. Within days, Judge was with Schenck, practicing the tips he picked up from his time with Goldschmidt."
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4301377/2023/03/14/aaron-judge-paul-goldschmidt-mvp/
