Aaron Judge Hits Historic 300th Career Home Run
On Wednesday night, Aaron Judge etched his name in Major League Baseball history by hitting his 300th career home run. This milestone came in Judge's 955th career game, making him the fastest player in MLB history to reach 300 home runs. The previous record was held by Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner, who achieved the feat in 1,087 games.
Judge's accomplishment is even more impressive considering the number of games he has missed due to injuries throughout his career. He missed 50 games in 2018, 60 in 2019, and 56 just last year in 2022 due to a toe injury, which Judge describes as requiring "constant maintenance."
Despite these setbacks, Judge has proven to be an indomitable force on the field. He played 148 games in 2021, 157 in 2022, and has participated in 120 of the Yankees’ 122 games so far in the 2023 season. This resilience has not only cemented his status as one of the premier power hitters in the game but has also kept him on a remarkable home run trajectory.
Projections indicate that Judge will finish this season with 57 home runs, bringing his career total to an impressive 314 as he heads into the 2025 season. Over the next four years, Judge is expected to average 42 home runs per season. If he maintains this pace, he’ll end that period with a career total of 482 home runs.
Judge's long-term contract with the Yankees, which runs through 2031, further adds to the potential of what he could achieve. After his projected home run totals over the next four years, Judge could find himself within striking distance of joining the exclusive 500-home run club. This elite group includes legendary names such as Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755), and Babe Ruth (714).
Should Judge continue his home run pace, his projected career total of 589 home runs would place him just beyond Frank Robinson, who finished his career with 586 home runs. This would make Judge one of the top home run hitters in the history of the sport, comparable to other greats like Alex Rodriguez (696), Willie Mays (660), Ken Griffey Jr. (630), and Jim Thome (612).
Beyond the numbers, Judge's impact on the Yankees and the game of baseball is undeniable. He continues to be an essential player for the Yankees’ lineup and a figure of admiration for baseball fans worldwide. While injuries have been a persistent challenge, Judge's ability to maintain his performance despite these hurdles speaks volumes about his determination and skill.
As the 2023 season progresses and with Judge showing no signs of slowing down, all eyes will be on him to see just how high he can climb on the all-time home run list. With nearly a decade left on his contract and a consistent track record, Aaron Judge's journey is far from over, and the records he could set are within his formidable reach.