Aaron Judge Hits 300th Career Home Run, Fastest in MLB History
New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge etched his name in the annals of Major League Baseball history on Wednesday night by hitting his 300th career home run. Achieving this milestone in just his 955th career game, Judge has become the fastest player in MLB history to reach the 300-home run mark. He surpassed the previous record held by Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner, who needed 1,087 games to accomplish the same feat.
Judge's incredible pace is a testament not only to his prodigious power but also to the persistence he has shown throughout his career. The powerful outfielder slammed 39 home runs in his Rookie of the Year-winning 2017 season and has since been a consistent force in the Yankees' lineup, despite battling injuries that have sidelined him for significant stretches over multiple seasons.
While Judge has missed considerable time, including 50 games in 2018, 60 in 2019, and 56 in 2022 due to a toe injury, his on-field performance remains unmatched when healthy. In the 2021 season, he played 148 games, followed by 157 games in 2022. This year, he has participated in 120 of the Yankees' 122 games, underscoring his resilience and dedication to the sport.
Describing his persistent issues, Judge himself has said, "It's constant maintenance," highlighting the ongoing challenges he faces in managing his health. Yet, despite these hurdles, his impact remains undeniable.
Judge's milestone home run comes during a season where he is projected to end with 57 homers, pushing his career total to 314 heading into 2025. Looking ahead, analysts project that if he maintains an average of 42 home runs per season over the next four years, Judge's career total would reach 482 by the end of that period. This trajectory not only showcases his talent but also sets the stage for even more historic milestones.
By the time Judge's current contract with the Yankees runs through 2031, he could very well find himself among the legendary members of the 500-home run club. This elite group features iconic figures such as Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755), Babe Ruth (714), Alex Rodriguez (696), Willie Mays (660), and Ken Griffey Jr. (630), among others.
Should Judge continue at his projected pace, his career total of 589 home runs would place him just beyond another baseball great, Frank Robinson, who finished his career with 586 homers. This potential landmark is yet another testament to Judge's exceptional ability and the legacy he is crafting in the sport.
The Yankees and their fans have much to look forward to with Judge anchoring the lineup. His combination of raw power, consistent performance, and the ability to overcome obstacles makes him one of the most compelling figures in modern baseball. As he continues to climb the ranks of the game's greatest power hitters, each at-bat will serve as a reminder of the remarkable career that continues to unfold before us.