Judge's Historic Season Continues to Amaze
Aaron Judge, the celebrated captain of the New York Yankees, is not just having a standout season—he’s on track to etch his name into the annals of baseball history. His remarkable statistics and sheer dominance on the field continue to captivate fans and analysts alike, as they witness one of the greatest seasons in recent memory.
As of August 26, Judge is boasting an extraordinary .333/.465/.736 line with 51 home runs and 122 RBIs. These numbers not only illustrate his pivotal role in the Yankees' lineup but also underscore his league-leading dominance in several critical categories, including home runs, RBIs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and WAR.
With 31 games remaining in the season, Judge is on pace to achieve milestones that very few players in the history of the game have ever reached. His projected stats include 101 extra-base hits and 418 total bases—a feat that has been accomplished just 13 times before. Only 15 players have recorded 100 extra-base hits in a season, and just 29 have reached 400 total bases, highlighting the uniqueness of Judge's achievement.
Judge’s recent performance only adds to his legend. He has homered seven times in his last six games and 19 times in his last 36 games, propelling him on a pace for an astonishing 63 home runs this season. Such a projection draws comparisons to his 2017 rookie season when he hit 52 home runs, and his 2022 campaign, which saw him reach 62 homers.
Despite his prodigious power, Judge is far from a one-dimensional hitter. His .250 batting average in at-bats that don't culminate in home runs, coupled with a .413 on-base percentage in those same scenarios, underscores his all-around hitting prowess. Furthermore, his current season OPS of 1.328 since April 23 showcases his ability to impact the game consistently, overcoming an early-season slump where he posted a .174/.308/.337 line by that date.
Judge's plate discipline has also seen significant improvement over the years. He's striking out in 23.4% of his plate appearances this season, compared to the MLB average of 22.4%. This is a stark contrast to his 30.7% strikeout rate in 2017 and even his 25.1% rate in 2022. His refined approach at the plate not only makes him a more dangerous hitter but also a more valuable asset to the Yankees.
Judge's historical context cannot be ignored. His 210 OPS+ from the 2022 season places him in elite company, with only Jimmie Foxx and Rogers Hornsby boasting two seasons with an OPS+ over 200 among right-handers. Hornsby's legendary 1924 season, with a 222 OPS+, stands as a testament to the rarified air Judge is breathing.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone encapsulated the sentiment around Judge’s season succinctly: “I'm kinda running out of words to say. You're witnessing greatness. You really are. He's just kinda better than everyone.”
For Judge, it remains about the fundamentals and contributing to the team: “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.” It is this focus and his exceptional talent that fuel Judge's extraordinary season and continue to endear him to fans.
As the season draws closer to an end, the baseball world watches with bated breath to see how many more records Aaron Judge will break and where his final numbers will stand. One thing is certain: in a sport where every record is meticulously documented, the 2023 season will forever be remembered for Judge's peerless performance on the field.