The Unstoppable Aaron Judge: Yankees Captain Dominating the 2023 Season
Aaron Judge, the captain of the New York Yankees, is in the midst of an extraordinary season that has left fans and analysts alike in awe. As of August 26, Judge is showcasing a spectacular .333/.465/.736 line, complemented by 51 home runs and 122 RBIs. His performance not only places him at the pinnacle of several statistical categories but also cements his status as one of the elite players in baseball.
Judge currently leads the league in home runs, RBIs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and Wins Above Replacement (WAR). With 31 games remaining in the season, Judge's dominance shows no signs of waning. According to projections, he is set to achieve 101 extra-base hits and 418 total bases, an achievement so rare it's only been accomplished 13 times in MLB history. This makes him one of only 15 players to record 100 extra-base hits in a season and one of 29 players to reach 400 total bases.
Remarkably, Judge's recent form is nothing short of blistering. Over his last six games, he has homered seven times and boasts 19 home runs in his previous 36 games. These contributions have placed him on pace to hit 63 home runs this season, which would surpass his career-high of 62 set in 2022. Reflecting on his stellar rookie season in 2017, when he hit 52 home runs, Judge has consistently demonstrated his incredible power at the plate.
While his home runs grab the headlines, Judge's overall contribution to the Yankees is equally impressive. His .250 batting average in at-bats that don't result in home runs and a .413 on-base percentage underline his all-around abilities. Since enduring a slow start to the season with a .174/.308/.337 line by April 23, Judge's resurgence is highlighted by a 1.328 OPS over the subsequent 106 games, emphasizing his capability to adapt and excel.
Despite his achievements, Judge acknowledges the importance of staying grounded and focusing on the fundamentals. "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," Judge said. "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's strikeout rate also presents a fascinating aspect of his game. Currently striking out in 23.4% of his plate appearances, he remains just above the MLB average of 22.4%. This marks a significant improvement from his 30.7% strikeout rate in 2017 and even lower than his 25.1% rate in 2022. His ability to reduce strikeouts without sacrificing power makes his performance even more notable.
In historical context, Judge's current season draws comparisons to some of the greatest campaigns ever. Rogers Hornsby's 1924 season, in which he posted a 222 OPS+, and Jimmie Foxx's two seasons with an OPS+ over 200, come to mind. Judge himself achieved a 210 OPS+ in 2022 and is on track to join the elite company of Hornsby and Foxx as the only right-handers with multiple seasons surpassing a 200 OPS+.
A remarkable aspect of Judge's season is the limited platoon advantage he's had, benefitting from it in only 26% of his plate appearances. Yet, this has not deterred his ability to produce consistently high-level performances against all types of pitching.
Manager Aaron Boone succinctly captured the sentiment surrounding Judge’s season: “I'm kinda running out of words to say. You're witnessing greatness. You really are. He's just kinda better than everyone.” These words resonate deeply, reflecting the awe and admiration that Judge inspires not only in his teammates but in baseball enthusiasts everywhere.
As the Yankees captain continues to light up ballparks across the nation, one thing is clear: Aaron Judge is not merely playing baseball; he is etching his name into the annals of the sport's history, one towering home run at a time.