DENVER – New York Yankees star Aaron Judge has been making headlines this season, showcasing a batting average that’s hovering around an impressive .400 after the first two months. It’s a feat not accomplished since the legendary Ted Williams managed to hit .406 for the entire 1941 season. When you think about that, you realize just how extraordinary Judge’s performance has been.
So far, Judge has been an offensive juggernaut, leading the league with 18 home runs and an astounding 47 RBIs. This exceptional start is indicative of a player who, just three years ago, shattered the American League and Yankees records by hitting 62 home runs in a single season, surpassing Roger Maris in the process. Coming off a stellar performance that included a single and a run-scoring double on Sunday, Judge is batting .397, which is remarkable.
However, Yankees manager Aaron Boone offered a grounded perspective, reminding everyone that Judge has had even better two-month spans in his career. During a weekend series at Coors Field against the struggling Colorado Rockies, the Yankees won two out of three, with Boone reflecting on how Judge’s current .1.246 on-base plus slugging (OPS) was impressive, but not unprecedented for him.
Back in 2024, Judge had a rough start with a .207 average in April, managing just six home runs and a .754 OPS. But he bounced back spectacularly, posting an OPS just shy of 1.4 in the two months that followed. For context, Babe Ruth’s all-time career OPS is 1.163, while Barry Bonds boasts the best single-season mark at 1.42, achieved in 2004. When Judge learned of these extraordinary numbers, he was genuinely impressed but also aware of the pursuit that lay ahead.
He is currently playing at an elite level, with a league-leading OPS of 1.16 as the 2024 season unfolded. Judge’s career OPS of 1.022 marks him as the top performer among active players. While he’s hitting for an impressive average, Judge’s 79 hits in 199 at-bats and an on-base percentage of .487 illustrate just how versatile and dangerous he has become as a hitter.
When asked whether he felt he was experiencing the hottest two months of his career, Judge was surprisingly humble, admitting, “I don’t think so. I don’t feel too good at the plate right now.” It’s a testament to his mindset; he’s always striving for better. He acknowledges it’s a work in progress, which resonates with anyone who’s ever had to keep pushing despite the accolades and numbers.
While Judge’s stats are dazzling—34 walks, 10 intentional walks, and two hit by pitches—he isn’t even leading the league in those categories. His ability to get on base, though, is notable, with a .759 slugging percentage that stands at the top of the league. It’s worth mentioning that, despite his power and average, pitchers have been somewhat defiant against him. However, during the recent series, Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer decided to intentionally walk Judge twice in crucial situations, recognizing the danger he presents.
Schaffer offered a refreshing take on pitching to Judge, remarking, “If he hits a solo shot like the last two games, then so be it. He’s one of the best hitters in the game. It’s respect for him, respect for the game, and respect for the fans to let him hit.” This approach signifies that Judge commands respect from opponents, and rightly so. In the fifth inning during Saturday’s game, Schaeffer chose to walk Judge, and it paid off; the Yankees capitalized and bagged 10 runs in their eventual 13-1 rout of the Rockies.
The comparison to Barry Bonds inevitably arises. Bonds was notoriously treated like a power hitter on another level—intentionally walked under any circumstances. Schaeffer, newly appointed and coming into the role after the firing of Bud Black, remains open to different strategies on how to handle Judge, implying, “I’d never say no to anything. It depends on the situation.”
Judge’s consistent performance at the plate is a marvel, much like legends before him. He recently added Coors Field to his growing list of ballparks where he has hit home runs, marking off yet another milestone after belting one during his first-ever appearance there. As of now, he has hit homers in 25 of the 30 Major League stadiums.
Much like Williams and Bonds, Judge is not just a power hitter; he also maintains a commendable batting average. Williams first hit .400 on May 25, 1941, and managed to stay above it for most of the year. The last player to hit .400 this late into June was Luis Arraez, who wore the Marlins’ colors in 2023, maintaining an average of .402 before it slipped below that mark.
To put Judge’s current batting average into perspective, he’s sitting 153 points above the overall Major League batting average of .244. But don’t expect him to get lost in numbers; Judge keeps apprised of stats but doesn’t let them distract him from his goals. His father ingrained in him a valuable lesson about focusing on today’s game rather than getting bogged down by yesterdays’ performance.
“I try not to,” he says. “If you’re still looking at yesterday, you haven’t done anything big today. Go to work and try to help your team win.” This unwavering focus not only sets him apart as a player but also as a leader. With four months of the season yet ahead of him, there’s bound to be more excitement in the air for Judge as he continues this extraordinary journey.
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