Judge's Historic Season Puts Him Among Baseball's Elites
The New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge is not just having one of the best seasons in his career; he’s carving out a spot among baseball’s greats. As of August 26, Judge boasts a staggering .333/.465/.736 slash line with a league-leading 51 home runs and 122 RBIs. It's a performance that's turning heads and prompting his manager, Aaron Boone, to gush, “I'm kinda running out of words to say. You're witnessing greatness. You really are. He's just kinda better than everyone.”
Judge’s Dominance
Judge leads the league in home runs, RBIs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and WAR. With 31 games left in the season, the anticipation is building to see just how dominant his final numbers will be. Historical benchmarks are within reach, as Judge is projected to achieve 101 extra-base hits and 418 total bases. This feat, achieved only 13 times before, solidifies Judge’s standing as an extraordinary talent. Only 15 players have ever recorded 100 extra-base hits in a season, and only 29 have reached 400 total bases. Combining both is a testament to Judge’s relentless pursuit of excellence.
Judge's Onslaught
Judge's recent performances have been nothing short of spectacular. He has hit seven home runs in his last six games and 19 in his last 36 games, which puts him on pace for a staggering 63 home runs this season. Notably, Judge isn't new to these kinds of power displays; he hit 52 home runs in his rookie season in 2017 and 62 just last year in 2022. His consistency is all the more remarkable considering his .174/.308/.337 batting line as late as April 23. Since then, he has posted an OPS of 1.328 over 106 games, a testament to his ability to adjust and dominate as the season progresses.
Perspective on Strikeouts
While Judge's strikeout rate stands at 23.4% this season—slightly above the MLB average of 22.4%—it’s a significant improvement from his 30.7% rate in 2017 and even better than his 25.1% strikeout rate in 2022. His ability to cut down on strikeouts while maintaining prodigious power is a crucial factor in his offensive outburst.
Historical Comparisons
Where does Judge's season rank historically? Comparing him to legends, Rogers Hornsby’s 1924 season had a 222 OPS+, and Jimmie Foxx and Rogers Hornsby are the only right-handers to boast two seasons with an OPS+ over 200. Judge posted a 210 OPS+ last year, and his current season seems poised to be equally impressive, if not more so.
Hitting Approach and Platoon Advantage
Remarkably, Judge has only had the platoon advantage in 26% of his plate appearances, yet he continues to defy expectations. His approach at the plate is also worth noting: “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 modestly states. His .250 batting average and .413 on-base percentage in non-home run at-bats show a well-rounded hitter committed to his craft.
A Season for the Ages
As the season winds down, Judge’s numbers are set to be scrutinized, celebrated, and etched into the annals of baseball history. Fans and analysts alike will keep a close eye on whether he can maintain his torrid pace and where he will stand among the all-time greats by season's end. With each crack of his bat, Judge inches closer to solidifying a season for the ages—one that will be remembered as a high-water mark in the storied history of Major League Baseball.