Aaron Judge’s Tear Through MLB: A Season to Remember
In a season filled with remarkable achievements and astonishing performances, Aaron Judge has once again proven why he's considered one of the elite players in Major League Baseball. As the captain of the New York Yankees, Judge’s statistics and accolades continue to pile up, solidifying his status as one of the game’s greats.
As of August 26, Judge is putting up a jaw-dropping .333/.465/.736 batting line with 51 home runs and 122 RBIs. These numbers not only lead the league in home runs and RBIs but also position him at the top of the charts for on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and WAR (Wins Above Replacement). With 31 games remaining in the season, Judge's extraordinary pace shows no signs of slowing down.
Among his many accomplishments this year, Judge is on track to achieve 101 extra-base hits and 418 total bases. Such an achievement has historically been rare, as only 15 players have recorded 100 extra-base hits in a season, and just 29 have reached 400 total bases. Achieving both milestones in the same season has only been done 13 times, underscoring the enormity of what Judge is poised to accomplish.
Leading the League
Judge’s dominance isn't restricted to just a handful of games. He’s managed to maintain an electrifying performance through significant stretches of the season. In his last six games alone, he’s homered seven times and has gone deep 19 times in his last 36 games, putting him on pace for a whopping 63 home runs this season. For perspective, he hit 52 home runs during his rookie season in 2017 and surpassed that with 62 home runs in 2022.
Even in at-bats that don't culminate in home runs, Judge’s performance remains impressive. His batting average in those situations is .250, with a remarkable .413 on-base percentage, reflecting his consistent ability to contribute offensively regardless of the outcome.
A Turnaround After a Slow Start
The season didn’t start all rosy for Judge. By April 23, his batting line was a concerning .174/.308/.337. Yet, what followed was a dazzling comeback. From April 23 onwards, his OPS (On-base Plus Slugging) has been an astronomical 1.328, a testament to his resilience and skill.
Despite striking out in 23.4% of his plate appearances this season—a figure slightly higher than the MLB average of 22.4%—Judge has significantly improved from his early years. In 2017, he struck out in 30.7% of his plate appearances, and even as recently as 2022, he had a strikeout rate of 25.1%. His progress in this area only adds to his comprehensive offensive prowess.
Historical Comparisons
Judge’s performance this season invites comparisons to some of the most legendary figures in baseball. Rogers Hornsby had a staggering 222 OPS+ in 1924, with both Hornsby and Jimmie Foxx being the only right-handers to have two seasons with an OPS+ over 200. Judge himself achieved a 210 OPS+ in 2022, and this season appears to continue that trend of offensive dominance.
Another aspect that adds to Judge’s remarkable production is the few plate appearances where he holds the platoon advantage, just 26%. Despite this, he continues to put up other-worldly numbers—a true indicator of his talent and versatility.
Reflections from the Dugout
Judge’s exceptional season has not gone unnoticed by his team and management. Yankees manager Aaron Boone encapsulated the sentiment perfectly: “I'm kinda running out of words to say. You're witnessing greatness. You really are. He's just kinda better than everyone.”
For Judge himself, it's about maintaining his approach and furthering his contributions to the team. “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 remarked.
With the season winding down and the Yankees battling for playoff positioning, Aaron Judge’s incredible year stands as a beacon of excellence and a testament to his relentless drive and unparalleled ability. As fans continue to witness this historic season, it’s clear that Aaron Judge is not just better than most—he’s better than almost everyone.