In a display of unparalleled talent and consistency, Aaron Judge has firmly solidified his status as one of Major League Baseball's elite players. The captain of the New York Yankees is putting together a season for the ages, highlighted by a remarkable array of offensive statistics and milestones that are capturing the attention of fans and analysts alike.
Prolific Hitting
As of August 26, Judge boasts an astonishing .333/.465/.736 batting line, alongside an impressive 51 home runs and 122 RBIs. His performance is not just stellar; it’s historically significant. Judge leads the league in home runs, RBIs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and Wins Above Replacement (WAR), underscoring his all-round dominance at the plate.
Judge's power surge has been nothing short of phenomenal. Over his last six games, he has homered seven times, bringing his total to 19 home runs in his last 36 games. This puts him on track to finish the season with 63 home runs, a feat that only a select few in the annals of baseball history have managed to achieve. Notably, Judge hit 52 home runs in his rookie season in 2017 and notched 62 in the 2022 season, establishing a pattern of sustained excellence.
Chasing Milestones
Judge's performance this season is placing him on the cusp of some rare achievements. Only 15 players have ever recorded 100 extra-base hits in a season, and just 29 have reached 400 total bases. Doing both in a single season is an even rarer feat, accomplished just 13 times. Judge is projected to achieve 101 extra-base hits and 418 total bases by season's end, a testament to his prodigious hitting prowess.
Despite dealing with less than ideal plate conditions in over 70% of his appearances, Judge has maintained an impressive level of performance. He has held a platoon advantage in just 26% of his plate appearances, yet this hasn’t hindered his exceptional output. His ability to adapt and excel against all types of pitching is a testament to his skill and preparation.
Consistency Amidst Challenges
Judge’s remarkable stats are not merely a product of his power-hitting. His nuanced approach at the plate is evident in his .250 batting average and .413 on-base percentage in at-bats that don’t end in home runs. This balanced approach has been a significant factor in his sustained productivity and overall team contribution.
Manager Aaron Boone articulated the collective astonishment at Judge’s performance, stating, "I'm kinda running out of words to say. You're witnessing greatness. You really are. He's just kinda better than everyone."
Judge’s own reflection on his season is grounded in his methodical approach to the game. "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 remarked.
Adapting and Improving
One of the most impressive aspects of Judge’s 2023 campaign has been his ability to adjust and elevate his game following a sluggish start. By April 23, Judge’s batting line read .174/.308/.337, a far cry from the numbers that now stand out in bold relief. His OPS soared to an exceptional 1.328 in the 106 games following April 23, showcasing a dramatic turnaround and positioning him as a defining player of the season.
Judge’s strikeout rate has seen significant improvement compared to past seasons. After a 30.7% strikeout rate in his rookie season and a 25.1% rate in 2022, he currently stands at 23.4%, just above the MLB average of 22.4%. This reduced strikeout rate highlights his improved plate discipline and approach.
Historic Comparisons
Comparing Judge’s season to some of the all-time greats, Rogers Hornsby’s 1924 season had a 222 OPS+ (adjusted on-base plus slugging percentage). Judge himself achieved a 210 OPS+ in 2022, and he continues to build a career that could see him join the likes of Jimmie Foxx and Hornsby as one of the few right-handed hitters with multiple seasons boasting over 200 OPS+.
With 31 games remaining in the season, the prospects are thrilling for Judge and the Yankees. As he continues to obliterate pitching and rewrite the record books, Aaron Judge’s 2023 season will be remembered as one of historic brilliance and extraordinary athletic prowess.