The New York Yankees' captain, Aaron Judge, is in the midst of a remarkable season, displaying a level of play that has left even his manager, Aaron Boone, 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,” Boone remarked, encapsulating the sentiment surrounding Judge's extraordinary performance.
As of August 26, Judge is hitting an impressive .333/.465/.736 with 51 home runs and 122 RBIs, leading the league in home runs, RBIs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and Wins Above Replacement (WAR). The season has 31 games remaining, and Judge is on pace to make history in several categories.
Chasing Historic Milestones
Only 15 players have ever recorded 100 extra-base hits in a season, and only 29 players have reached 400 total bases within a single season. Achieving both feats has been a rare accomplishment, realized only 13 times. Judge is projected to hit 101 extra-base hits and accumulate 418 total bases this season, placing him in rarefied air among baseball greats.
Judge's recent performance has been nothing short of extraordinary. In his last six games, he has homered seven times, and over his last 36 games, he has gone deep 19 times. This torrid pace puts him on track to hit 63 home runs by season's end, continuing a trend that started in his rookie year when he smashed 52 home runs in 2017, and followed by a stunning 62 homers in the 2022 season.
Consistency and Improvement
While power hitting garners the headlines, Judge's overall consistency is equally impressive. Despite a sluggish start to the season, hitting just .174/.308/.337 by April 23, he has since posted a 1.328 OPS over the subsequent 106 games. His ability to adjust and dominate speaks volumes about his resilience and skill.
Judge's plate discipline has also evolved. His strikeout rate this season sits at 23.4%, a notable improvement from his 30.7% strikeout rate during his rookie year and even from his 25.1% rate in 2022. For context, the MLB's average strikeout rate is 22.4%, emphasizing how Judge has honed this aspect of his game.
In at-bats where he doesn't hit home runs, Judge maintains a .250 batting average and a robust .413 on-base percentage, demonstrating that he contributes significantly even when not showcasing his power.
A League of His Own
Historically, Judge is joining some elite company. Rogers Hornsby's 1924 season, where he achieved a 222 OPS+, set a high bar. Jimmie Foxx and Hornsby are the only right-handers to boast two seasons with an OPS+ over 200. Judge came close with a 210 OPS+ in 2022 and is poised to challenge those elite standards again this year.
Although Judge’s prowess often puts him at a disadvantage in terms of matchups—having the platoon advantage in only 26% of his plate appearances—he continues to succeed against all pitching.
A Humble Leader
Beyond the numbers, Judge remains grounded and focused on team success. “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,” Judge humbly stated.
As the season progresses, Aaron Judge's exceptional performance places him squarely in the spotlight. His aptitude for combining power, consistency, and improved plate discipline stands out in today’s game. With historic milestones within reach, Judge’s 2023 season is shaping up to be one for the ages, a testament to his elite talent and unwavering dedication.