Aaron Judge: The Unstoppable Force of the New York Yankees
There are very few players in the history of Major League Baseball who have made as significant an impact as Aaron Judge. As the captain of the New York Yankees, Judge has been nothing short of spectacular this season. As of August 26, he has been posting an astonishing .333/.465/.736 line with 51 home runs and 122 RBIs. This level of performance has not only placed him at the top of the league in home runs, RBIs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and WAR but has also put him on a trajectory to etch his name among the legends of the game.
With 31 games remaining in the season, Judge is projected to achieve 101 extra-base hits and 418 total bases, a rare feat that has been accomplished only 13 times in MLB history. To put this in perspective, merely 15 players have hit 100 extra-base hits in a season, and only 29 players have managed to reach 400 total bases. Judge’s performance this season positions him as one of the few players who could join this elite club in a single season.
His extraordinary run includes homering seven times in his last six games and 19 times in his last 36 games. He is currently on pace for 63 home runs this season, a significant milestone that adds to his already remarkable résumé, which includes hitting 52 home runs in his rookie season in 2017 and 62 home runs in 2022.
Transformation and Consistency
Judge’s journey this season has been marked by both resilience and transformation. By April 23, his batting line was a disappointing .174/.308/.337. However, from that point onward, his performance rocketed, boasting an OPS of 1.328 in the subsequent 106 games. This resurgence has been crucial for the Yankees' offensive strength, especially considering that Judge's batting average in at-bats that don't culminate in home runs stands at .250, with a .413 on-base percentage.
Another aspect of Judge’s game that merits recognition is his improvement in minimizing strikeouts. This season, he is striking out in 23.4% of his plate appearances, a significant improvement from his 30.7% strikeout rate in 2017 and 25.1% in 2022. While the MLB average strikeout rate is 22.4%, Judge’s decrease in strikeouts underscores his development into a more disciplined and effective hitter.
Historical Comparisons and Legendary Praise
To contextualize Judge’s prowess, it is essential to look at historical comparisons. Rogers Hornsby’s 1924 season had a 222 OPS+, while Jimmie Foxx and Hornsby are the only right-handers to have two seasons with an OPS+ over 200. Judge had a 210 OPS+ in 2022 and is well on his way to achieving similar numbers this season. This places him in the conversation with some of the greatest right-handed hitters of all time.
The rare combination of power, consistency, and discipline has not gone unnoticed by those around him. Yankees Manager Aaron Boone eloquently summarized this sentiment: “I'm kinda running out of words to say. You're witnessing greatness. You really are. He's just kinda better than everyone.” Such high praise from a seasoned manager speaks volumes about Judge’s impact not only on the field but also on his teammates and the sport in general.
Judge himself remains grounded despite the towering numbers and historic milestones. “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,” he stated. This focus on team success and personal improvement speaks to his leadership and commitment to the game.
Aaron Judge’s 2023 season is more than just numbers on a stat sheet; it is a manifestation of a player at the peak of his powers, leading his team with a rare blend of humility and exceptional skill. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Judge as he continues to chase history and further cement his legacy in the annals of baseball.