Aaron Judge: The Pinnacle of Baseball Excellence
Aaron Judge is firmly establishing himself as one of the most dominant players in Major League Baseball. As the captain of the New York Yankees, Judge is achieving remarkable feats, both statistically and in terms of his impact on the game. By August 26, Judge had assembled an impressive .333/.465/.736 batting line, with 51 home runs and 122 RBIs. These numbers don't just place him at the top of his team; they lead the entire league in home runs, RBIs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and Wins Above Replacement (WAR).
Judge's prowess at the plate is expected to continue, with projections indicating that he could achieve 101 extra-base hits and 418 total bases by the end of the season—milestones that have been met only 13 times in the history of the game. Incredible statistics like these highlight Judge's potential to be among the all-time greats. With 31 games remaining, he is also on pace to blast 63 home runs, a number that would surpass his rookie season record of 52 home runs in 2017 and his 62-home run achievement in the 2022 season.
Consistency and Improvement
Even when the long balls don't fly, Judge demonstrates substantial skill. In at-bats that do not culminate in home runs, he boasts a .250 batting average and a .413 on-base percentage. This balance of power and discipline is evident in his ability to adapt and improve. For instance, after a slow start, where Judge had a humble .174/.308/.337 batting line by April 23, he turned his season around with an OPS of 1.328 over the subsequent 106 games.
Strikeouts, once a prominent challenge for Judge, have seen notable improvement as well. His strikeout rate has dropped from 30.7% in 2017 to 23.4% this season, a figure just slightly above the MLB average of 22.4%. In 2022, Judge's rate stood at 25.1%, marking a steady pattern of enhancement in this area.
A Man of Achievements
Judge's accomplishments this season put him in rare company. Only 15 players have ever recorded 100 extra-base hits in a season, and only 29 players have reached 400 total bases in a season. The combination of achieving both has been accomplished just 13 times, further underscoring the magnitude of Judge's historic run.
One of the key areas where Judge distinguishes himself is in OPS+ (On-base Plus Slugging Plus), adjusted for league and park factors, where he competes with the legends of the game. Jimmie Foxx and Rogers Hornsby are the only right-handers to boast two seasons with an OPS+ over 200. Judge recorded a 210 OPS+ in 2022 and is on track to join the illustrious company of Foxx and Hornsby.
Leadership and Humility
Behind these numbers is a player deeply committed to his 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," Judge said. "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."
Yankees Manager Aaron Boone had nothing but praise for his captain. "I'm kinda running out of words to say. You're witnessing greatness. You really are. He's just kinda better than everyone," Boone remarked. These words reflect not just Judge’s talents but also the awe and respect he commands from those around him.
The Path Ahead
With Judge’s efforts, the Yankees are in a favorable position to chase postseason glory. But as the regular season winds down, all eyes remain on Judge and his pursuit of both individual excellence and team success. Whether he can maintain this torrid pace remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Aaron Judge is cementing his place in baseball history, one swing at a time.