In a season where milestones become the norm rather than the exception, Aaron Judge continues to elevate his game to remarkable heights. As the captain of the New York Yankees, Judge is leading with a fervor that has captured the imagination of fans and left analysts scrambling for superlatives. Through his awe-inspiring performances, Judge reinforces his reputation not just as an elite player, but as a historic one.
Statistical Domination
As of August 26th, Judge is maintaining a stellar .333/.465/.736 batting line, punctuated by 51 home runs and 122 RBIs. These numbers place him at the top of several categories, including home runs, RBIs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and Wins Above Replacement (WAR). With 31 games still remaining in the season, there's plenty of room for more fireworks.
Remarkably, Judge's season might culminate in achievements that have been scarce in Major League Baseball history. Only 15 players have ever recorded 100 extra-base hits in a season, and just 29 have reached the 400 total bases milestone. Judge is on pace to surpass both, with projections indicating he will achieve 101 extra-base hits and 418 total bases. Given the rarity of this combination—accomplished only 13 times in MLB history—the magnitude of Judge’s potential feats becomes all the more significant.
A Torrid Pace
Recent performances suggest Judge is well within striking distance of these milestones. He has homered seven times in his last six games and 19 times over his last 36 contests. These incredible stats keep him on pace for an impressive 63 home runs this season. This would add another chapter to his list of milestones, considering he hit 52 home runs during his rookie season in 2017 and 62 in 2022.
Yet, Judge's contributions extend beyond just the home run ball. Despite a humble start, evidenced by an unusually low .174/.308/.337 batting line through April 23, Judge has turned those numbers around spectacularly. In the 106 games since, he’s posted an eye-popping OPS of 1.328. Even when excluding home runs, his other batting metrics are impressive: a .250 average and a .413 on-base percentage.
Improvement in Discipline
One noticeable area of growth for Judge is his strikeout rate. Striking out in 23.4% of his plate appearances this season, Judge shows a marked improvement from the 30.7% strikeout rate he posted in 2017 and the 25.1% rate from 2022. This aligns closely with the MLB average strikeout rate of 22.4%, indicating a more disciplined and measured approach at the plate.
Historical Context
When placed in a historical context, Judge's season stands out even more. With a projected season that mirrors the all-time greats, Judge's 210 OPS+ from 2022 underscores his excellence. To compare, Rogers Hornsby's 1924 season had a 222 OPS+, and only Hornsby and Jimmie Foxx have managed two seasons with an OPS+ over 200 among right-handers.
Judge's profound impact has not gone unnoticed by those closest to him. Yankees manager Aaron Boone effusively praised his captain, stating, “I'm kinda running out of words to say. You're witnessing greatness. You really are. He's just kinda better than everyone.”
The Intangibles
Judge’s influence extends beyond the statistics. His leadership qualities and commitment to being a good teammate exemplify his value. Reflecting on his approach, Judge said, “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.”
With the season heading into its final stretch, Aaron Judge stands poised not just to lead the Yankees but to etch his name even deeper into the annals of baseball history. The combination of his prodigious power, improved plate discipline, and unyielding consistency makes for a mesmerizing blend of talent and determination.
Indeed, as each game unfolds, fans and fellow players alike are reminded that they are witnessing a player for the ages, a talent whose greatness is evident every time he steps onto the field.