When the Yankee captain slugged an American League record 62 home runs in 2022, it would’ve been fair to say that he will never reach those heights again. Judge was unstoppable en route to his first-ever MVP putting up offensive numbers that were not seen since Barry Bonds. Well here we are not even two years later, and he is arguably having a better season in 2024. Allow me to take you on a journey to show just how historic Aaron Judge’s season is.
With his 50th & 51st Homeruns Sunday against the Rockies, Judge becomes the fifth player in MLB history to eclipse 50 HR on three separate occasions. The feet has only been done by all-time greats such as Babe Ruth, Mark McGuire, Sammy Sosa & Alex Rodriguez. Although it is unfair to compare eras, three of those men used steroids and the other played 100 years ago, and none of them had to deal with the skill of pitchers in the modern era.
Just over ten days ago, Judge became the fastest player in history to reach 300 career HR, beating the previous mark by over 100 games. After starting the first month of the season with a .207 avg & .414 slug%, the Yankee captain has quite literally been on the greatest 100-game stretch in MLB history. According to OptaSTATS on X, he is the only player in MLB history to have a .375 avg, hit 45 HR, & record 100+ RBIs in a 100-game split. If you take Aaron Judge’s stats from May 1 - today, he would be on pace to break the single-season HR record, yes it is absolutely insanity.
Now let's take a look at every Major offensive statistical category in baseball, and see where Judge ranks on that list as of August 26th.
WAR = 1st (9.4)
Avg = 2nd (.333), #1 is Bobby Witt (.347)
OBP = 1st (.465)
Slug% = 1st (.736)
OPS = 1st (1.202)
TB = 1st (338)
HR = 1st (51)
RBI = 1st (122)
OPS+ = 1st (230)
Yes, there is definitely an argument for Judge having the greatest single season in MLB history given how much of an advantage pitchers have now, and with 2024 being a “down” year offensively around the league. There is also a conversation for Judge having the greatest 3-year offensive stretch in baseball history.
Here are Judge’s stats from 2022-2024 based on per 162 game average.
.307 avg, .683 slug%, 1.117 OPS, OPS+ 207
Per 162 = 177 hits, 62 HR, 135 RBI.
There have only been 3 players in MLB history to have 62 HR seasons and 135 RBI, Bonds, Sosa & Mcguire.
Based on all the numbers, the current landscape of baseball, and the use of steroids with players from the 90’s - 00s, Aaron Judge is arguably one of the, if not the best hitter in MLB history. Obviously, this is only a 5-year stretch with Judge, but I would say his peak is the best peak of any MLB player of all time. Hope you enjoyed the deep dive, and everyone should feel blessed they are living during the same time as Aaron Judge.
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