As the 2023 MLB season races towards its conclusion, Aaron Judge continues to demonstrate why he is considered one of the most extraordinary talents in baseball today. The New York Yankees’ captain is not just leading his team but setting a blistering pace across the league's major offensive categories.
A Historic Season Unfolds
As of August 26, Judge boasts a remarkable .333/.465/.736 batting line, accompanied by 51 home runs and 122 RBIs. These figures are not just impressive; they are historic. Judge leads the league in home runs, RBIs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and Wins Above Replacement (WAR), emphasizing his dominance at the plate.
There are still 31 games left in the season, and Judge is on track for potentially unprecedented achievements. Historically, only 15 players have recorded 100 extra-base hits in a season, and 29 have reached 400 total bases. Astonishingly, Judge is projected to achieve both, with 101 extra-base hits and 418 total bases. Such dual accomplishments have only been realized 13 times in MLB history.
Unrelenting Power Surge
Judge’s current form suggests he might even exceed these prolific milestones. He has homered seven times in his last six games and 19 times in his last 36, pacing himself for a potential 63 home runs by season's end. This would not only be a career-high for Judge but a continuation of his home run prowess seen in earlier seasons—with 52 home runs in his rookie year in 2017 and 62 home runs last season.
Consistency and Patience at the Plate
Though known for his thunderous home runs, Judge's overall contribution to the Yankees is multi-faceted. He has a .250 batting average and a .413 on-base percentage in at-bats that don't culminate in home runs, underscoring his value as a consistent hitter and a patient batter.
His journey this season hasn’t been straightforward. By April 23, Judge's batting line was a modest .174/.308/.337. However, in the 106 games since then, he has elevated his OPS to an exceptional 1.328, a testament to his relentless dedication and focus.
Adjusting to the League's Challenges
One area where Judge has shown considerable improvement over the years is his strikeout rate. Despite facing the league's pitching elite, he has managed a 23.4% strikeout rate this season, a notable improvement from his 30.7% rate in 2017 and his 25.1% rate in 2022. This compares favorably to the MLB average strikeout rate of 22.4%, further highlighting his evolution as a hitter.
Putting Up Legendary Numbers
Judge’s 2022 campaign saw him achieve a 210 OPS+, placing him alongside legends like Jimmie Foxx and Rogers Hornsby as one of the few right-handed hitters to post an OPS+ of over 200 in multiple seasons. Hornsby's 1924 season remains the benchmark with a 222 OPS+, but Judge is closing the gap on such legendary performances.
Even with limited platoon advantages—only 26% of his plate appearances—Judge has continued to impose his will on opposing pitchers. His strength, technique, and strategic approach make him a peril no matter the pitcher or situation.
Greatness in Real Time
Judge’s extraordinary season has not gone unnoticed by his peers and mentors. Yankees Manager Aaron Boone remarked, “I'm kinda running out of words to say. You're witnessing greatness. You really are. He's just kinda better than everyone.” Such praise encapsulates the awe and admiration felt across the baseball world.
For Judge, the focus remains unwavering: “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.” This humility and dedication to the fundamentals are what make Judge not just a remarkable player but an invaluable leader.
As the season progresses, all eyes will remain on Aaron Judge. If his current trend of dominance continues, we may be witnessing one of the greatest individual performances in baseball history, cementing Judge's legacy as a once-in-a-generation talent.