Aaron Judge's Stellar Season Continues to Turn Heads
As the season winds down, Aaron Judge's remarkable performance is the talk of the baseball world. The New York Yankees captain has been a force at the plate, and his numbers reflect a player at the pinnacle of his career. Judge's current batting line stands at an astounding .333/.465/.736, showcasing his offensive prowess. With 31 games remaining in the season, Judge's potential to further etch his name into the record books looms large.
Judge's dominance is evident in several key statistical categories. He leads the league in home runs, RBIs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and Wins Above Replacement (WAR). As of August 26, he's slugged 51 home runs and driven in 122 RBIs, leaving fans and analysts alike in awe.
“I'm kinda running out of words to say. You're witnessing greatness. You really are. He's just kinda better than everyone,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said, summarizing the sentiment surrounding Judge's season.
His eye-popping performance isn't confined to traditional metrics; advanced statistics tell a similar story. Judge boasts a remarkable 1.328 OPS in the 106 games since April 23. This is a stark contrast to his .174/.308/.337 line up to that date, highlighting his incredible turnaround. His OPS+ of 210 in the previous season puts him in elite company, with only Rogers Hornsby and Jimmie Foxx as right-handers who have recorded multiple seasons with an OPS+ over 200.
Chasing History
Though only 15 players have ever recorded 100 extra-base hits in a season and 29 have reached 400 total bases, Judge is on track to join an even more exclusive club. He is projected to achieve 101 extra-base hits and 418 total bases this season, accomplishments that only 13 players have ever managed in the same year. This level of play has brought Judge close to an extraordinary milestone.
In his last 36 games, Judge has continued to crush the ball, hitting 19 home runs, including seven in the past six games alone. These feats have positioned him on pace for an incredible 63 home run season. This follows a historic 2022 campaign where he belted 62 home runs, surpassing his rookie season high of 52 in 2017.
Judge's consistency, even in at-bats that don't result in home runs, is notable. His batting average in such scenarios is .250, paired with a solid .413 on-base percentage. This ability to get on base, even without hitting the long ball, adds another layer to his offensive toolkit, making him indispensable to the Yankees' lineup.
Improvements in Plate Discipline
One of the most marked improvements in Judge's game this season is his plate discipline. His strikeout rate has decreased to 23.4%, lower than his 25.1% rate in 2022 and significantly better than the 30.7% he recorded back in 2017. While still slightly above the major league average of 22.4%, this reduction has contributed significantly to his overall performance.
“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,” Judge remarked. “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.”
Judge's contributions this season go beyond his impressive stats. With only 26% of his plate appearances giving him the platoon advantage, he's shown the ability to excel against all types of pitching. This versatility and resilience are hallmarks of his leadership on and off the field, earning him the respect of teammates and opponents alike.
The season isn't over yet, and with each game, Aaron Judge continues to build on his already impressive legacy. As he chases more records and looks to lead the Yankees into the postseason, one thing is clear: the baseball world is witnessing something truly special.