When right fielder Juan Soto departed from the Yankees to sign with the Mets, he knew he was leaving behind one of the most precious spots in any batting order in baseball — the No. 2 hole, in front of slugger Aaron Judge.

After all, Soto's presence ahead of Judge in the Yankees' lineup did create more opportunities for the latter to bat with a man on base. He saw more pitches to hit accordingly, so of course he went off for a 58-homer, 144-RBI season that netted him his second American League MVP.

We know he’s great, but do we understand how great? Judge is staking his claim to being the greatest right-handed hitter of modern times.