The Bronx is always loud, but 2025 feels different. It’s a mix of "what if" and "finally." If you’ve spent any time looking at the Yankees batting order 2025, you probably noticed the massive, $765 million hole where Juan Soto used to be. He’s in Queens now. It hurts.
But honestly? The 2025 version of this lineup is actually more balanced than the top-heavy group that fell short in the 2024 World Series. Brian Cashman went on a shopping spree in December, bringing in names like Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger to patch the holes. It’s not a one-for-one replacement for Soto—nothing is—but it’s a deeper, more athletic group.
The Leadoff Experiment: Why Austin Wells is the Guy
Most people expected Anthony Volpe to take the leap and own the top of the order. It hasn't happened. Volpe’s 2025 started with a literal bang in Spring Training, but his on-base percentage still fluctuates too much for Aaron Boone’s liking.
Instead, the Yankees batting order 2025 is spearheaded by Austin Wells.
It sounds weird. A catcher leading off? But Wells has this elite eye. He doesn't chase. During the 2025 spring, he hit .348 and looked like a seasoned vet. The Yankees are betting that his ability to see pitches will wear down starters before the big hitters even step into the box.
The Heart of the Order: Life Without Soto
When Aaron Judge steps up, the vibe changes. 2025 is a massive year for the Captain. He’s coming off a quiet Spring Training—just four hits in 33 at-bats—but no one is actually worried. He’s Aaron Judge.
The real intrigue is who follows him.
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The New Twin Towers
Cody Bellinger is the X-factor here. The Yankees traded Cody Poteet to get him from the Cubs, and he’s been their most consistent hitter since landing in Tampa. He’s slotting into the three-hole, providing that left-handed balance they lost when Soto walked.
Then you have Paul Goldschmidt. Yeah, he’s 37. No, he’s not the MVP version of himself anymore. But the Yankees got him on a one-year, $12.5 million deal to be the professional adult in the room. He’s hitting fourth, right behind Bellinger.
- 1. Austin Wells (C) - High OBP, lefty bat.
- 2. Aaron Judge (RF) - The centerpiece.
- 3. Cody Bellinger (CF) - Elite athleticism, much-needed lefty power.
- 4. Paul Goldschmidt (1B) - Veteran stability.
It's a "win-now" core. Period.
The Jazz Chisholm Factor
Jazz Chisholm Jr. is basically the engine of this team's energy. He’s playing second base full-time now. He spent most of the 2025 spring boasting that he and Volpe would lead the league in double plays.
He’s typically hitting fifth.
Basically, the idea is to have Jazz there to drive in the runners that Judge and Bellinger inevitably put on base. When he’s on, he’s electric. When he’s off, he strikes out on three high fastballs. That’s the Jazz experience.
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The Kids Are (Mostly) Alright
Jasson Domínguez is finally getting his "full season" moment. "The Martian" is hitting sixth or seventh, depending on the day. His defense looked a little shaky early in camp, but his bat is legit. He tied for the team lead in RBIs this spring.
Then there's Ben Rice.
Rice is the guy nobody talks about enough. He added 10 pounds of muscle over the winter. He’s the primary DH right now because Giancarlo Stanton is—surprise, surprise—starting the 2025 season on the IL with tendinitis in both elbows.
It’s a blow, sure. But Rice has more mobility. He gives Boone the ability to rotate players through the DH spot to keep legs fresh, which is something they couldn't do with Stanton clogging the lane.
The Bottom of the Order and the Injury Bug
Third base is a mess. DJ LeMahieu’s calf acted up almost immediately in Spring Training. Now, Oswaldo Cabrera is the guy at the hot corner. He hit .278 in March and brings a switch-hitting utility that the Yankees desperately need.
Anthony Volpe is down at the bottom, usually hitting eighth. It’s a "reset" for him. The Yankees want him to focus on his Gold Glove defense and just "be Anthony Volpe" instead of trying to be the next Jeter.
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The Projected Daily Lineup
- Austin Wells, C
- Aaron Judge, RF
- Cody Bellinger, CF
- Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
- Jazz Chisholm Jr., 2B
- Jasson Domínguez, LF
- Ben Rice, DH
- Anthony Volpe, SS
- Oswaldo Cabrera, 3B
What Most People Get Wrong About This Lineup
The biggest misconception is that the Yankees batting order 2025 is weaker because Soto left.
Statistically? Maybe. Soto is a generational talent.
But the 2024 lineup had massive "dead zones." If Judge and Soto didn't hit, the inning was over. The 2025 version has Bellinger, Goldschmidt, and a much-improved Wells. There are no easy outs. Even at number nine, Cabrera is a tough at-bat.
Also, don't sleep on the bench. Trent Grisham is a high-end defensive replacement who had a career year in 2025. He’s making $5 million and could start for 20 other teams.
Moving Forward: What to Watch
The chemistry between the new vets and the young core is everything. If Goldschmidt can just be a .270 hitter with 20 homers, and if Bellinger stays healthy, this team is better rounded than the one that won the pennant last year.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts:
- Watch the Pitch Counts: If Austin Wells is seeing 20+ pitches in the first inning, Judge is going to feast.
- The June Slide: Keep an eye on Goldschmidt’s legs in the summer heat. The Yankees might need to give Ben Rice more reps at first base to keep "Goldy" fresh for October.
- The Volpe Shift: If Volpe starts hitting over .260 by June, expect him to move back up to the nine-hole or even second, pushing Judge to third.
The Yankees batting order 2025 isn't about one superstar carrying the load anymore. It’s about a deeper, grittier group that might actually have the endurance to finish the job this time.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep a close eye on the daily injury reports for LeMahieu and Stanton, as their return—or lack thereof—will dictate how much run Ben Rice and Oswaldo Cabrera actually get in the starting nine.