Aaron Judge's Phenomenal Season Continues to Reach New Heights
As the Major League Baseball season progresses, one name continues to dominate headlines and opposing pitchers alike: Aaron Judge. The captain of the New York Yankees is not just having a stellar season; he is in the midst of one of the most extraordinary performances in recent baseball history. By August 26, Judge was hitting an awe-inspiring .333/.465/.736, amassing 51 home runs and 122 RBIs. These figures alone are remarkable, but they only scratch the surface of his dominance this season.
Judge leads the league in a variety of critical categories, including home runs, RBIs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and Wins Above Replacement (WAR). With 31 games remaining in the season, the possibilities for additional milestones and accolades are burgeoning. He is currently projected to achieve 101 extra-base hits and 418 total bases—a rare dual milestone that has been accomplished merely 13 times in the history of the sport.
In his most recent run, Judge has showcased a power surge, hitting seven home runs in just six games and 19 home runs over the last 36 games. This incredible pace puts him on track for 63 home runs by the end of the season, surpassing his record of 52 home runs set during his rookie year in 2017 and his league-leading 62 home runs hit in the 2022 season.
“I'm kinda running out of words to say. You're witnessing greatness. You really are. He's just kinda better than everyone,” remarked Yankees Manager Aaron Boone, encapsulating the awe and reverence that Judge's performance has commanded.
However, Judge’s prowess extends beyond home runs. Despite a .250 batting average in at-bats that don't result in home runs, he boasts a .413 on-base percentage in these situations. After a slow start in April, where his batting line was .174/.308/.337 by the 23rd, Judge has turned his season around with an otherworldly 1.328 OPS in the 106 games since then.
Interestingly, while Judge’s strikeout rate of 23.4% this season is slightly above the MLB average of 22.4%, it’s an improvement from his 30.7% strikeout rate in 2017 and his 25.1% rate in 2022. This reduced strikeout rate underscores a more disciplined approach at the plate without compromising his prodigious power.
Aaron Judge’s historical significance is not to be overlooked. He’s on pace for another season with an OPS+ over 200, putting him in an elite group with baseball legends Jimmie Foxx and Rogers Hornsby, the latter of whom had a 222 OPS+ in 1924. Judge himself achieved a 210 OPS+ in 2022, a testament to his sustained supremacy over the last few years.
“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 said, articulating his grounded approach amidst his chase for the record books.
In terms of historical context, reaching 100 extra-base hits in a single season is a rarified feat, achieved by only 15 players. Furthermore, only 29 players have accumulated 400 total bases in one season. Judge stands on the brink of joining and even eclipsing these elite groups, illuminating his extraordinary impact on the game.
As Judge continues his campaign, every game offers a new chapter in what could be a historic season. Fans and analysts alike are left in eagerness and admiration, witnessing the unfolding saga of a player who is not just great, but, as Boone aptly put it, perhaps better than everyone.