Aaron Judge's Historic Season Continues Unabated
As the 2023 MLB season approaches its final stretch, Aaron Judge is once again the focal point of baseball conversations. The New York Yankees’ captain is in the midst of a season that could etch his name even deeper into the annals of the sport’s history.
By August 26, Judge had astonishingly amassed a batting line of .333/.465/.736, supplemented by 51 home runs and 122 RBIs. These numbers not only highlight his power but also underscore his comprehensive excellence at the plate. Judge leads the league in crucial metrics such as home runs, RBIs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and Wins Above Replacement (WAR).
The Yankees have 31 games remaining in their schedule, giving Judge ample opportunity to further his stats. Historically, achieving milestones like 100 extra-base hits and 400 total bases in a single season is rare, accomplished by merely 13 players. Judge is projected to finish with 101 extra-base hits and 418 total bases, which would place him in an elite echelon of baseball greats.
Judge's recent performances have been nothing short of extraordinary. He has homered seven times in his last six games and 19 times in his last 36 games. The slugger is currently on pace for 63 home runs this season, a tally that would eclipse his previous best of 62 homers in 2022 and approach the legendary mark of 52 home runs he set during his rookie season in 2017.
But Judge's contribution isn’t just about the long ball. Even in at-bats that don’t result in home runs, he boasts a .250 batting average and a .413 on-base percentage, demonstrating his value as a consistent, game-changing presence at the plate. After April 23, when his batting line was a dismal .174/.308/.337, Judge has turned his season around in spectacular fashion, sporting a 1.328 OPS over the next 106 games.
In an era where strikeouts are more common than ever—Judge's strikeout rate of 23.4% hovers just above the MLB average of 22.4%—his power and plate discipline truly set him apart. Although his 2023 strikeout rate marks an improvement over his 30.7% rate in 2017 and his 25.1% rate in 2022, it’s his ability to make those swings count that makes all the difference.
Comparisons to historical figures are inevitable. Rogers Hornsby’s 1924 season, with a 222 OPS+, remains one of the benchmarks for hitters. Jimmie Foxx and Hornsby are the sole right-handed batters to record two seasons with an OPS+ over 200. Judge could join this exclusive club, having registered a 210 OPS+ in 2022.
Beyond the numbers, Judge’s impact on the game is palpable. Yankees Manager Aaron Boone aptly summed it up: “I'm kinda running out of words to say. You're witnessing greatness. You really are. He's just kinda better than everyone.”
For his part, Judge remains grounded and focused on the 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, reflecting his humble yet determined approach.
As the season marches on, the baseball world will be watching closely to see if Aaron Judge can sustain his incredible pace. With records in sight and a stoic determination fueling him, Judge stands on the brink of yet another unforgettable chapter in his illustrious career.