Yankees beat Royals 6-3 on June 12 as Clarke Schmidt's gem and Aaron Judge's homer lead the way. See how NY's depth continues to dominate the 2025 season.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Another day, another dominant performance from the New York Yankees. The Bronx Bombers marched into Kansas City and secured a decisive 6-3 victory, fueled by another Aaron Judge home run and a masterful outing from Clarke Schmidt. The win wasn't just another notch in the belt; it was a statement of depth and resilience from a team that continues to find ways to win, even with key players on the mend.
Aaron Judge has homered in three straight games, extending his reign as the undisputed No. 1 slugger in MLB's Hitter Power Rankings for the fifth consecutive time.
With the Yankees' rotation hit hard by injuries, Clarke Schmidt has done more than just step up; he's become a pillar of stability. Against the Royals, he was simply untouchable, spinning six scoreless innings while allowing a measly two hits and striking out seven. It was a shutdown performance that showcased his growing confidence and command, proving he's a critical piece of this team's success. As other starters work their way back, Schmidt is making a strong case that he's not just a fill-in, but a core part of this pitching staff.
Is anyone surprised anymore? Aaron Judge continued his torrid pace, launching a solo shot in the seventh inning for his third home run in as many games. His consistent power keeps him atop the MLB Hitter Power Rankings and sets the tone for the entire lineup. While Judge provided the late-game fireworks, the Yankees did their heavy lifting early. A five-run second inning, powered by a crucial two-RBI single from Paul Goldschmidt and an RBI double from Austin Wells, put the game out of reach and showed this offense can strike from anywhere.
As if things weren't going well enough, the cavalry is getting closer. Both Marcus Stroman and Giancarlo Stanton completed rehab assignments with the Double-A Somerset Patriots. Stroman made his first start since his injury, a massive step toward rejoining the rotation, while Stanton continued to tune up his powerful swing. Their impending return will provide a significant boost, adding another proven arm and one of the league's most feared bats back into the fold.
The good news wasn't limited to the big league club. Down on the farm, the future of the franchise put on a power display of their own. Top prospect George Lombard Jr. blasted his very first Double-A home run, a two-run shot that has the player development staff buzzing. Not to be outdone, fellow top prospect Spencer Jones also went deep, continuing his own impressive campaign. These performances are a thrilling reminder that the Yankees' pipeline is loaded with talent.
The Yankees are firing on all cylinders. They're getting dominant pitching from unexpected sources, the offense is clicking, and the game's biggest star continues to play like it. With a perfect 5-0 record against the Royals this year and the imminent return of Stroman and Stanton, the message to the rest of the league is clear: the New York Yankees are deep, dangerous, and only getting stronger.
