Judge took on-field batting practice against Nestor Cortes alongside Juan Soto, the star outfielder acquired in December from San Diego going into his last season before free agency. Cortes struck out Soto three times, but Judge focused on Soto’s power over the day.

“A couple of the balls that he had out to left-center were how a right-handed guy hits it,” the righty-hitting Judge gushed. “He’s got such a great demeanor — the swagger.”

Boone plans to hit Soto and Judge second and third, though the order could switch at times, envisioning them both to have .400-plus on-base percentages. Judge hit second in 102 of 104 starts last year and 528 of 809 in his big league career but prefers to bat third this season, behind the lefty-swinging Soto.

“It might be a little old school-thinking on my part because some of the guys I’ve watched growing up, the best hitters are hitting third and the run-producers are hitting three and four,” he said.

Judge became the Yankees’ first captain since Jeter from 2003-14 after signing a $360 million, nine-year contract. He has evolved into a sterner role that Boone says requires Judge “having to be a little firm in certain situations.”

“There’s just been incremental gains in his leadership every year,” the manager said, “and maybe stepped up a bit more last year with actually now you are the captain of this team and there is responsibility that comes with that.”

Already a five-time All-Star, Judge has a .282 average, 257 homers, 572 RBIs and a .982 OPS.

“He is not only the face of our team, but I think certainly one of the faces of the game,” Boone said. “With good health, years from now he’ll start to have the longevity where you’ll see him start to pile up numbers that rival greats. We just have got to take care of the championship part of it.”

Judge realizes he’ll be, yes, judged, by titles.

“My best season will be when we’re holding up that trophy,” he said.