Jets White Out
Fansided

The 2018-2019 Winnipeg Jets Reimagined: The NHL Meets MLB

By Kyle McCarthy

A panoramic view of Yankee Stadium during the New York Rangers Vs New York Islanders NHL regular season game held outdoors at Yankee Stadium, The Bronx, New York, USA. 29th January 2014. Photo Tim Clayton (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
A panoramic view of Yankee Stadium during the New York Rangers Vs New York Islanders NHL regular season game held outdoors at Yankee Stadium, The Bronx, New York, USA. 29th January 2014. Photo Tim Clayton (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – JULY 21: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees looks on against the New York Mets during their game at Yankee Stadium on July 21, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

When you think of Big Buff, you think of someone who strikes fear in the heart of opponents. You think someone who is stronger than damn near everyone else.

That’s Dustin Byfuglien to me. If you think fear in baseball, coupled with unreal strength, your mind immediately goes to Aaron Judge, does it not? I mean, I guess it could evoke memories of Giancarlo Stanton,  but whatever.

The two are incredibly similar. Judge is a bit better in the field, on the basepaths and with the plate disclipline, but it’s close either way.

Aaron Judge catches a lot of flak for his strikeouts. He does strike out quite a bit. I suppose you could equate that to Byfuglien’s shortcomings. Perhaps his lack of speed or propensity for taking stupid penalties belies his true ability.

Dustin Byfuglien is really good, not just a marauding “slugger” who can rip of a big slapshot or a bruising hit. Yes, he can do those things. And probably better than most, if not anyone else. But he’s fairly well-rounded.

He can score, defend, scare, and even pass. Aaron Judge doesn’t get enough credit for his elite hitting ability, solid defense and run the bases well. It also helps that both players are huge.

I mean, Tyler Myers fits better as a physical comp for Judge, but he’s nowhere near as good as Dustin Byfuglien. Byfuglien isn’t even as good as Judge, who is a top 5 or 10 player in baseball.

But it’s as good as we’re going to get. Two players with an elite skill and strength that sometimes makes people think they’re not as good as they really are. That’s both Aaron Judge and Dustin Byfuglien.

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