Aaron Judge: A Season for the Ages
In the storied annals of Major League Baseball, Aaron Judge's 2023 campaign is carving out a chapter of its own. As the captain of the New York Yankees, Judge is not just leading by example; he is redefining the benchmarks of excellence.
The Statistical Marvel
As of August 26, Judge boasts a .333/.465/.736 slash line, accompanied by an astounding 51 home runs and 122 RBIs. Judge’s dominance this season is reflected in his league-leading metrics in home runs, RBIs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and Wins Above Replacement (WAR). With 31 games remaining in the season, expectations for Judge’s final statistics grow higher with each swing. Currently projected to finish with 101 extra-base hits and 418 total bases, Judge is on the verge of joining a pantheon of only 15 players who have ever recorded 100 extra-base hits in a single season, and only 29 who have reached 400 total bases.
A Singular Achievement
Achieving both 100 extra-base hits and 400 total bases in one season is a rarefied feat, accomplished only 13 times in baseball history. Judge’s remarkable consistency at the plate over his past six games—homering seven times—and over his last 36 games—homering 19 times—underscores his potential to join this elite group. If he maintains his current pace, Judge is set to hit an astounding 63 home runs this season, surpassing his career-high of 62 set in 2022.
As Yankees manager Aaron Boone aptly put it, “I'm kinda running out of words to say. You're witnessing greatness. You really are. He's just kinda better than everyone.”
Resiliency and Improvement
Judge's journey this season hasn't been all smooth sailing. By April 23, his batting line read a concerning .174/.308/.337. Yet what followed was nothing short of spectacular. Over the next 106 games, Judge rebounded to post an OPS of 1.328, a testament to his resilience and skill.
While Judge's strikeout rate remains a point of contention—striking out in 23.4% of his plate appearances compared to the MLB average of 22.4%—it's a significant improvement from his 30.7% rate in his rookie season in 2017 and even the 25.1% observed in his impressive 2022 season. Judge has emerged as a more disciplined hitter, evidenced by his .250 batting average and .413 on-base percentage in at-bats that don’t result in home runs.
A Historic Perspective
Judge's current season has already drawn comparisons to some of the most legendary seasons in baseball history. Rogers Hornsby’s 1924 season, which had a 222 OPS+, remains the gold standard for right-handed hitters. Jimmie Foxx and Hornsby are the only right-handers to boast two seasons with an OPS+ over 200. Following his 210 OPS+ season in 2022, Judge is on the cusp of adding his name to that exclusive list.
Interestingly, Judge has had the platoon advantage in just 26% of his plate appearances this season. Despite facing these odds, his performance has been nothing short of extraordinary.
In His Own Words
Judge remains grounded amid the overwhelming 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. His focus on team success over individual accolades resonates deeply in the Yankees clubhouse and among fans.
As Aaron Judge's historic season continues to unfold, it’s clear that baseball enthusiasts are witnessing a once-in-a-generation talent in his prime. Each game adds another verse to a season that could be recited for decades to come.