Judge’s Remarkable Season: A Closer Look
In a season filled with awe-inspiring feats, Aaron Judge has not only solidified his role as the captain of the New York Yankees but is also cementing his place among baseball's all-time greats. Manager Aaron Boone's words resonate with everyone witnessing this historic run: “I'm kinda running out of words to say. You're witnessing greatness. You really are. He's just kinda better than everyone.”
As of August 26, Judge is achieving an impressive .333/.465/.736 line, highlighted by 51 home runs and 122 RBIs. Not only does he lead the league in home runs and RBIs, but Judge is also topping the charts in on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and Wins Above Replacement (WAR).
With 31 games remaining in the season, Judge is on pace for an unprecedented performance. His current trajectory suggests he will achieve 101 extra-base hits and 418 total bases, milestones that have only been reached 13 times in the history of the sport. To put it in perspective, only 15 players have ever recorded 100 extra-base hits in a season, and only 29 have reached 400 total bases.
Judge’s hot streak has been nothing short of extraordinary. Over his last six games, he has hit seven home runs and has accumulated 19 home runs in his last 36 games. If this pace continues, Judge is projected to finish the season with 63 home runs, surpassing his personal best of 62 home runs in the 2022 season and his rookie record of 52 home runs set in 2017.
However, hitting home runs is just part of Judge’s arsenal. Even in at-bats that don't culminate in home runs, he maintains a respectable .250 batting average and an impressive .413 on-base percentage. His overall OPS in the 106 games following April 23 is a staggering 1.328, a remarkable improvement from his sluggish start of .174/.308/.337 by that date.
Strikeouts have long been the bane of power hitters, but Judge has made significant strides in this area as well. His current strikeout rate of 23.4% is nearly in line with the MLB average of 22.4%, a marked improvement from his 30.7% rate in 2017 and even his 25.1% rate in 2022.
Such dominance naturally invites comparisons with legendary figures in baseball history. Rogers Hornsby’s 1924 season remains a benchmark with a 222 OPS+, and Jimmie Foxx and Hornsby are the only right-handers to boast two seasons with an OPS+ over 200. Judge's 2022 season saw him achieve a 210 OPS+, placing him firmly in the conversation among the greats.
A striking aspect of Judge's performance is his prowess despite limited platoon advantage; he has held the upper hand in just 26% of his plate appearances. Yet, he continues to outperform his peers consistently.
Judge’s success is a testament to his approach at the plate and his dedication as a teammate. As he humbly stated, “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.”
With so much already achieved and more potentially on the horizon, both fans and critics alike are eager to see how Judge's incredible season will conclude. What is certain, however, is that Aaron Judge is delivering a season for the ages, one that will be remembered and revered for years to come.