Judge's Historic Season Continues to Impress
As the 2023 MLB season advances, Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees continues to deliver a performance that is nothing short of extraordinary. The Yankees' captain has been a beacon of excellence, leading the league in home runs, RBIs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and WAR. His impressive numbers include a .333/.465/.736 batting line with 51 home runs and 122 RBIs as of August 26.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone aptly summarized Judge’s phenomenal season: “I'm kinda running out of words to say. You're witnessing greatness. You really are. He's just kinda better than everyone.” Indeed, Judge's prowess at the plate and his leadership on the field have set him apart, making him the centerpiece of discussions about the best players in baseball.
A Season for the Record Books
With just 31 games remaining in the season, Judge is on pace to achieve 63 home runs, surpassing his own record of 62 home runs set in the 2022 season. This projection places Judge in an elite category of sluggers, further solidifying his place in baseball history. Judge has already hit 52 home runs in his rookie season in 2017, and his current trajectory suggests he is only getting better.
One statistic that stands out is Judge’s projected total of 101 extra-base hits and 418 total bases this season. Achieving 100 extra-base hits in a season is a rare feat, accomplished by only 15 players in MLB history. Moreover, only 29 players have reached 400 total bases in a season. Remarkably, achieving both milestones in a single season has been done just 13 times. Judge appears poised to join this exclusive club, further underscoring his historic campaign.
Consistency Amidst Challenges
Judge’s performance is even more remarkable considering the ups and downs he has experienced throughout the season. By April 23, he was batting a modest .174/.308/.337. However, in the 106 games since then, Judge’s OPS has skyrocketed to 1.328, showcasing his resilience and ability to adapt and overcome challenges. Such a turnaround speaks volumes about his dedication and focus, contributing to the Yankees' bid for postseason success.
Despite having a strikeout rate of 23.4% this season, slightly above the MLB average of 22.4%, Judge's ability to get on base has not been compromised. His on-base percentage in at-bats that don’t result in home runs is an impressive .413, reflecting his disciplined approach at the plate. By comparison, his strikeout rate stood at 30.7% in 2017 and 25.1% in 2022, indicating an improvement in his plate discipline over the years.
Challenging the Legends
Judge's dominance is reflected not just in contemporary comparisons but also in historical contexts. Rogers Hornsby’s storied 1924 season, for instance, had a 222 OPS+. Judge had a 210 OPS+ in 2022 and is currently on track to challenge such legendary figures. Jimmie Foxx and Rogers Hornsby remain the only right-handers to boast two seasons with an OPS+ of over 200, a distinction Judge could soon join.
A unique aspect of Judge's season is his limited platoon advantage, having it in merely 26% of his plate appearances. This underlines his ability to handle all types of pitching, further enhancing his value to the Yankees.
A Leader On and Off the Field
Judge’s influence extends beyond his stats. As he aptly puts it, “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.”
His humility and focus on teamwork resonate throughout the Yankees organization and among fans. Judge’s leadership and remarkable performance have made him one of the most revered players in baseball today.
With each game remaining in the season, fans and analysts alike will eagerly watch as Aaron Judge continues his pursuit of greatness, etching his name alongside the legends of the game.