Aaron Judge's Remarkable Season Continues
Aaron Judge is not just the captain of the New York Yankees; he’s emerging as one of the most dominant players in baseball history. As of August 26, Judge is achieving a staggering .333/.465/.736 line with 51 home runs and 122 RBIs. These numbers signify his leadership role, not just in the Yankees' clubhouse but across Major League Baseball.
Judge leads the league in home runs, RBIs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and Wins Above Replacement (WAR). With 31 games remaining in the season, his projected stats seem almost otherworldly. Judge is on track to achieve 101 extra-base hits and 418 total bases, feats rarely seen in the sport. Only 15 players have ever recorded 100 extra-base hits in a season, and just 29 have reached 400 total bases. Remarkably, managing both accomplishments in a single season has only happened 13 times.
Adding to his already impressive season, Judge has homered seven times in his last six games and 19 times in his last 36 games. If he maintains this pace, he’s projected to hit 63 home runs by the end of the season, surpassing his personal best of 62 home runs set in 2022. For context, Judge hit 52 home runs in his rookie season in 2017, solidifying his status as a top-tier power hitter early in his career.
Despite his incredible power, Judge’s approach at the plate has evolved. His current strikeout rate is 23.4%, a significant improvement from his 30.7% rate in 2017 and 25.1% last year. The MLB average strikeout rate is 22.4%, placing Judge slightly above average but still significantly improving his discipline at the plate. His on-base percentage, excluding home runs, stands at .413, and his overall improvement is clear with an OPS of 1.328 in the 106 games following April 23, despite a sluggish start to the season (.174/.308/.337 line by April 23).
Judge’s performance has drawn awe and admiration from those around him. Yankees manager Aaron Boone put it best, stating, “I'm kinda running out of words to say. You're witnessing greatness. You really are. He's just kinda better than everyone.” Judge’s own perspective remains humble and team-oriented: “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.”
Historically speaking, Judge is aligning himself with some of the greatest right-handed hitters of all time. Only Rogers Hornsby and Jimmie Foxx boast two seasons with an OPS+ of over 200. Judge's 210 OPS+ in 2022 places him in elite company, showing his consistent excellence at the plate.
While Judge has had the platoon advantage in just 26% of his plate appearances, his numbers are utterly dominant regardless of the pitcher he faces. His capacity to adapt and excel under different circumstances speaks volumes about his skill and determination.
As Judge continues this historic season, it’s clear that fans are witnessing something truly special. His assault on the record books, coupled with his leadership, makes this season one for the ages. The next 31 games will not just be a test of endurance but also an opportunity for Judge to cement his legacy as one of the greatest players in baseball history.