Aaron Judge's Record-Breaking Season Continues to Astound
Aaron Judge has firmly cemented his place as one of Major League Baseball’s most commanding figures. The captain of the New York Yankees, Judge, is in the midst of a season that is not only remarkable but historic. As of August 26, his numbers have soared to a staggering .333/.465/.736 with 51 home runs and 122 RBIs. These stats place him at the pinnacle of several key offensive categories, including home runs, RBIs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and Wins Above Replacement (WAR).
Judge's current performance has drawn comparisons to some of the sport's legendary seasons. Historically, only 15 players have recorded 100 extra-base hits in a season, and a mere 29 have reached 400 total bases. The feat of achieving both milestones in a single season has been accomplished just 13 times. Judge is projected to be the 14th player to join this exclusive club, with estimates predicting 101 extra-base hits and 418 total bases by the end of the season.
Several streaks have marked Judge's offensive onslaught. He has homered seven times in his last six games and 19 times over the last 36 games, putting him on pace for an awe-inspiring 63 home runs this season. This would surpass his previous career-high of 62 home runs set in the 2022 season, and his rookie record of 52 home runs in 2017.
Despite his power, Judge’s overall hitting is exemplary. In at-bats that don’t culminate in home runs, he maintains a .250 batting average with an exceptional .413 on-base percentage. His overall adjustments since his slow start to the season have been nothing short of extraordinary. By April 23, Judge had recorded a batting line of .174/.308/.337. In the 106 games since, his OPS has skyrocketed to 1.328.
Judge’s strikeout rate has significantly improved as well. From 30.7% in his 2017 rookie season and 25.1% in 2022, it has reduced to 23.4% this season, contrasting with the MLB average strikeout rate of 22.4%. His disciplined approach at the plate has been evident, reflecting his maturation as a hitter.
Maintaining such exceptional performance brings to mind the legendary seasons of Jimmie Foxx and Rogers Hornsby, the only right-handed hitters with two seasons boasting an OPS+ over 200. Judge’s 210 OPS+ in 2022 and his current trajectory suggest he’s on a similar path, further solidifying his place in baseball lore.
Yankees’ manager Aaron Boone could barely contain his admiration 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. The sentiment of witnessing greatness echoes across the league, where Judge's contemporaries and opponents alike recognize his dominant play.
Judge remains humble despite his record-breaking pace. “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," Judge said. "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.” These words reveal Judge's focus on team success as much as individual accolades, a balance that only enhances his leadership role with the Yankees.
It is important to note that Judge has achieved all this without always having the platoon advantage, present in only 26% of his plate appearances. His ability to excel in varying situations underscores his versatility and skill.
As the season heads into its final stretch with 31 games remaining, the baseball world is watching closely. Aaron Judge's pursuit of unprecedented milestones continues to captivate and inspire, promising to etch this season into the annals of baseball history.