A Season of Dominance: Aaron Judge Rewrites the Record Books
In a remarkable display of skill and consistency, Aaron Judge is on a historic run that has both teammates and fans awestruck. The New York Yankees' captain is compiling statistics that rank among the all-time greats, and with 31 games remaining in the season, Judge shows no signs of slowing down.
A Season for the Ages
As of August 26, Judge owns a spectacular .333/.465/.736 batting line. In 2023 alone, he has blasted 51 home runs and driven in 122 RBIs. Not only does he lead the league in these categories, but he also dominates in on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and Wins Above Replacement (WAR).
Judge’s offensive prowess is reaching unheard-of heights. His current pace projects him to achieve 101 extra-base hits and accumulate 418 total bases by season's end. This would place him among a select group of legends; only 15 players in MLB history have recorded 100 extra-base hits in a season, and just 29 have amassed 400 total bases. Even more exclusive is the company of players who have achieved both milestones in a single season, a feat accomplished merely 13 times.
Homer After Homer
The power surge has been relentless. Judge has homered seven times in his last six games and 19 times over his previous 36. His projected tally of 63 home runs would surpass his own rookie record of 52 set in 2017 and the 62 he smashed in 2022.
"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 expressed, capturing the sentiment shared by many.
The Evolution of a Hitter
Judge’s journey this season has been one of adaptation and triumph over adversity. By April 23, his batting line was a mere .174/.308/.337, a far cry from his current dominance. Since then, he has rebounded with an extraordinary 1.328 OPS across 106 games.
While his strikeout rate of 23.4% may appear noteworthy, it’s slightly above the MLB average of 22.4%. However, it is a significant improvement compared to his 30.7% strikeout rate in his rookie season and even his 25.1% from last year. Judge’s progression as a disciplined hitter has been instrumental in his success.
Historical Comparisons
In a sport known for its rich history and legendary figures, Judge is beginning to etch his name alongside some of the game’s greatest. Rogers Hornsby’s 1924 season remains one of the benchmarks with a 222 OPS+, and Judge is on track to reach similar heights. Last year, Judge achieved a 210 OPS+, and he continues to elevate his performance.
Hornsby and Jimmie Foxx are the only right-handed hitters with two seasons boasting an OPS+ of over 200. Should Judge maintain his current form, he will join this elite club, confirming his place among MLB’s finest.
The Team Player
Despite the record-breaking numbers and personal accolades, Judge remains focused on contributing to his team’s 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,” said Judge.
In a game where individual brilliance can often overshadow team spirit, Judge's humility and dedication stand out. He has had the platoon advantage in just 26% of his plate appearances, making his achievements all the more remarkable given the consistent level of competition he faces.
Looking Ahead
With the season fast approaching its climax, all eyes will be on Aaron Judge as he continues his bid for history. Whether he will surpass more records remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: fans are witnessing baseball greatness in its purest form. As the Yankees' captain leads by example, Judge’s 2023 season might very well be remembered as one of the most extraordinary campaigns in the annals of the sport.