A Stellar Season for Aaron Judge
As the captain of the New York Yankees, Aaron Judge’s performance this season has been nothing short of extraordinary. With the calendar turning towards the final stretch, Judge is putting up numbers that cement his status among the elite players in MLB history. Currently batting an impressive .333/.465/.736, Judge has already smashed 51 home runs and driven in 122 RBIs, leading the league in several key offensive categories including home runs, RBIs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and WAR.
Chasing Historic Milestones
Judge is on pace to achieve historical milestones that few players have ever reached. Only 29 players in MLB history have amassed 400 total bases in a single season, and only 15 have recorded 100 extra-base hits. In an incredible feat, achieving both marks in one season has been accomplished merely 13 times. Judge is projected to eclipse these benchmarks with 101 extra-base hits and 418 total bases, adding his name to a very exclusive list.
The 31 games remaining in the season provide Judge with ample opportunity to further solidify his standing in the record books. His current trajectory has him set to finish the season with 63 home runs, surpassing his previous high of 62 homers set in 2022. Remarkably, Judge's performance this year isn't just limited to the power game; in at-bats that do not culminate in home runs, he maintains a commendable .250 batting average and a .413 on-base percentage.
Manager's Praise
Yankees manager Aaron Boone is effusive in his praise for Judge. “I'm kinda running out of words to say. You're witnessing greatness. You really are. He's just kinda better than everyone,” Boone said, summarizing what many in the baseball community feel when observing Judge's season. This sentiment is echoed by Judge himself, who stays grounded despite his stellar achievements. “I got to this point trying to be a good hitter and a good teammate, so that’s what I’m going to try to do. I feel like if I can do that, we can look up at the end of the year, and I think the numbers will be where they’re supposed to be,” Judge reflected.
Consistency and Improvement
Consistency has been key for Judge, who has rebounded impressively from a slow start to the season. By April 23, his batting line was a modest .174/.308/.337, but since then, he has been on a tear, with an OPS of 1.328 over the subsequent 106 games. His strikeout rate has also seen significant improvement over the years, dropping from 30.7% in 2017 to 23.4% this season, just above the MLB average of 22.4%.
Comparisons with Legends
Judge’s performance is drawing comparisons with some of baseball’s all-time greats. In 2022, he posted an OPS+ of 210, a statistic historically dominated by legends like Jimmie Foxx and Rogers Hornsby. Hornsby's 1924 season stands out with a 222 OPS+, and he, along with Foxx, are the only right-handers to boast two seasons with an OPS+ over 200. Judge is well on his way to potentially joining this hallowed duo, solidifying his status as one of the premier right-handed hitters of this generation.
A Remarkable Run
Judge’s recent performance has been especially remarkable, with seven home runs in his last six games and 19 homers in his last 36 games. Such sustained excellence is a testament to his meticulous preparation and unparalleled skill. Despite facing pitchers who constantly adapt to his strengths and weaknesses, Judge continues to outperform, a challenge he meets head-on.
The combination of power, consistency, and a keen baseball mind makes Judge a fascinating player to watch and an invaluable asset to the Yankees. As the season nears its climax, fans and analysts alike will be keenly watching to see just how far Judge can push his impressive statistics and records.
Indeed, Aaron Judge is not just achieving greatness; he is defining it. With each swing, he etches his name further into the annals of baseball history, providing fans with a spectacle that is as rare as it is magnificent.