A Season for the Ages: Aaron Judge's Historic Run Continues
As the captain of the New York Yankees, Aaron Judge has embarked on a season that continues to rewrite the record books. His performance as of August 26 is nothing short of astonishing: a .333/.465/.736 line, bolstered by 51 home runs and an eye-popping 122 RBIs. Judge not only leads the league in these categories but also dominates in on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and Wins Above Replacement (WAR).
A Power-Hitting Phenomenon
Judge's current pace suggests he will achieve 101 extra-base hits and 418 total bases by the end of the season, a feat accomplished only 13 times in baseball history. With 31 games remaining, his trajectory is nearing legendary status. "He's just kinda better than everyone," says Yankees manager Aaron Boone, encapsulating what many baseball aficionados are witnessing.
His recent power surge is noteworthy. Judge has homered seven times in his last six games and 19 times in his last 36 games. These numbers place him on track for a projected 63 home runs this season. To put this in perspective, Judge hit 52 home runs during his rookie season in 2017 and followed that with 62 home runs in the 2022 season. His ability to sustain this level of power hitting sets him apart from his contemporaries.
Consistency and Versatility
Despite his phenomenal home run tally, Judge's batting prowess extends beyond just clearing the fences. He holds a .250 batting average in at-bats that do not culminate in home runs and boasts a .413 on-base percentage in those scenarios. Such dual threats make him invaluable to the Yankees' lineup, where he continues to excel despite not always having the platoon advantage—just 26% of his plate appearances.
Early in the season, Judge struggled. By April 23, his batting line was a meager .174/.308/.337. But what followed was an astonishing turnaround. In the 106 games since, Judge has posted an OPS of 1.328, reaffirming his status as one of the most formidable hitters in the game.
Historic Comparisons
Only a select few players in Major League Baseball history can boast seasons like what Judge is shaping up to deliver. Rogers Hornsby's 1924 season had a 222 OPS+, while Jimmie Foxx and Hornsby are the only right-handers to boast two seasons with an OPS+ over 200. Judge nearly joined this elite club last season with a 210 OPS+. This year, he seems poised to make another historic entry, further solidifying his legacy.
One might think that a slugger with Judge's profile would have a higher strikeout rate. While his current rate of 23.4% is just a tick above the MLB average of 22.4%, it’s a significant improvement from his 30.7% strikeout rate in 2017 and 25.1% in 2022. This reduction in strikeouts signifies his maturity as a batter, compelling pitchers to approach him with a mix of caution and respect.
Focus and Leadership
Judge's impact goes beyond mere statistics; his leadership and demeanor provide the Yankees with an intangible yet invaluable asset. "I got to this point trying to be a good hitter and a good teammate," Judge says. "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.” His focus on team success over individual accolades epitomizes what it means to be a leader.
As this remarkable season continues to unfold, one thing is clear: Aaron Judge is crafting a narrative that could stand among the great performances in sports history. Each game, each at-bat serves as a chapter in a story that fans, analysts, and even his peers can scarcely believe. Indeed, we are witnessing greatness, one swing at a time.