Aaron Judge: An Unstoppable Force in Major League Baseball
In a season where the extraordinary has become the ordinary for Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees captain is leaving an indelible mark on Major League Baseball. As the season progresses, Judge continues to set the standard, dominating in nearly every offensive category. With 31 games remaining, Judge's performance is not just impressive but historic, positioning him alongside some of the greatest names in baseball history.
As of August 26, Judge is achieving an astounding .333/.465/.736 line with 51 home runs and 122 RBIs. He leads the league in home runs, RBIs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and Wins Above Replacement (WAR). These statistics highlight a player who is not just good but groundbreaking. “I'm kinda running out of words to say. You're witnessing greatness. You really are. He's just kinda better than everyone,” said Yankees Manager Aaron Boone, encapsulating the awe-inspiring season Judge is having.
Judge's recent performance has been nothing short of spectacular. Homering seven times in his last six games and 19 times in his last 36 games, he is on pace for 63 home runs this season—an eye-popping number that could place him in the annals of MLB history. This surge is reminiscent of his rookie season in 2017 when he hit 52 home runs, but even that remarkable feat pales in comparison to his 62-homer output in 2022.
Despite his prodigious power, Judge has also shown remarkable improvement in other facets of his game. His OPS in the 106 games following April 23 sits at an astronomical 1.328, a significant leap from his early season struggles where his batting line was .174/.308/.337. This turnaround is a testament to his relentless work ethic and adaptability. The Yankees’ slugger has a strikeout rate of 23.4% this season, a marked improvement from his 30.7% rate in 2017 and 25.1% last year. Impressively, Judge has maintained a .250 batting average and a .413 on-base percentage in at-bats that don't result in home runs, illustrating his all-around skill as a hitter.
Judge’s statistical dominance is not limited to the present year. Historically, only 15 players have recorded 100 extra-base hits in a season, and a mere 29 have reached 400 total bases. Achieving both milestones in a single season has been accomplished just 13 times. Judge is projected to join this exclusive group with 101 extra-base hits and 418 total bases in 2023. These numbers place him in the company of legendary players like Jimmie Foxx and Rogers Hornsby, the only right-handers to boast two seasons with an OPS+ of over 200.
Judge’s achievements this season have left even the most seasoned observers searching for superlatives. "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, demonstrating the humility that accompanies his prodigious talent.
The Yankees star has had the platoon advantage in just 26% of his plate appearances, making his accomplishments even more impressive. Moreover, while the league-average strikeout rate is 22.4%, Judge's rate of 23.4% is notable given his power-hitting prowess. Judge's 210 OPS+ in 2022 further emphasizes his status as one of the most dominant hitters in recent memory, drawing comparisons to Hornsby’s legendary 222 OPS+ season in 1924.
Aaron Judge's season is a masterclass in the art of hitting. As the days dwindle and the final stretch of the season approaches, one thing is certain: fans and opponents alike are witnessing a player who is not just performing at an elite level but redefining what is possible in baseball. The numbers, the eyeball test, and the historical comparisons all point to the same undeniable conclusion—Judge is having a season for the ages.