Despite being early in the season, Aaron Judge is having one of the best seasons of his career. How long can he keep up?
It has been a great start to the season for OF Aaron Judge, who’s on pace to have his best season ever. He’s no stranger to putting up historic numbers. However, his 2025 campaign is making waves even by his lofty standards. He’s posting numbers that are putting the entire league on notice. So far, he’s leading the league in multiple categories, such as batting average, home runs, runs batted in, runs, and slugging percentage. Even better, people are comparing Judge to other historic names, such as OF Babe Ruth, OF Barry Bonds, and OF Ted Williams.
But it is important to remember that dominance by any player just doesn’t happen by accident. After dedicating the offseason to refine his approach at the plate, Judge has come out stronger and more consistent than ever. His production has been a driving force behind the New York Yankees‘ strong start. With that being said, one big question would remain to be seen, is 2025 truly his best season yet?
Deep Dive into the Numbers
Entering May 22, Judge is posting some sensational numbers which explains his scorching start to the season. In just 48 games, he has managed to hit 16 home runs, 44 RBI and a batting average of .402. However, those aren’t the only standout numbers that the reigning AL MVP has. In addition, Judge has also posted a .491 OBP, .755 SLG and a 1.246 OPS. Right now, Judge is hitting like a machine as his numbers show, and opposing pitchers are struggling to get him out. Thanks to his recent surge, comparisons to Ted Williams are becoming frequent. Hitting above .400 is not an easy task, but Judge shows that it can happen. Williams was the last to do it back in 1941.
Then you also have to look back at the other impressive seasons he’s had. How does this season stand out compared to 2017 and 2022? Well, it’s hard to say for certain whether this season will be better than those. In 2017, he burst onto the scene as a rookie, smashing 52 home runs and posting a 1.049 OPS. That historic season was enough for him to win the AL Rookie of the Year honors and a second-place finish in the AL MVP voting. Five years later, Judge made history again, breaking OF Roger Maris’ American League home run record with 62 bombs and finally winning his first AL MVP award.
Last but not least, the advanced metrics have something to say. Judge is posting incredible numbers when it comes to advanced metrics that help strengthen the argument that this is his best season ever. His 3.8 WAR (wins above replacement) ranks at the top among position players, showing how valuable he is to the Yankees. To add to this, his wRC+ (Weighted Runs Created Plus) is well over 200, meaning that he’s producing more than twice the runs of an average hitter. a 248 wRC+ is easily the best of his career.
Carrying The Yankees Towards Success
Where in the world would the Yankees be without the presence of Aaron Judge? With several key players either hurt or underperforming, Judge is leading the charge. Luckily enough, the team is even leading in their own division. No one ever thought that the Yankees would be alone in first place in their division in 2025. Part of the big reason why the team is in first place is thanks to Judge. If he weren’t part of the team, New York would most likely sit in dead last at the moment. This is something that Yankees’ fans should be grateful for, which is having a talented guy like Judge on the team.
Aside from putting up big numbers, he has also delivered when it mattered most. From hitting clutch homers to key extra-base hits in tight situations, he’s been the Yankees’ go-to clutch performer this season. As a matter of fact, every time Judge homers, the team would find ways to win games. Then you also have his leadership. His productivity isn’t the only reason why the team wins ball games; it’s also his presence in the clubhouse. Judge’s leadership has been valuable in which he sets a professional example that keeps the clubhouse motivated through the ups and downs.
What Lies Ahead
Aaron Judge could be on his way to earning his third AL MVP of his career. However, that isn’t the only award that he would take home with him. He could also be on the way to taking home the Triple Crown award, which is rare to pull off. No Yankee has won a Triple Crown award since OF Mickey Mantle won it back in 1956. Judge could be joining elite company if he does take that award honor at the end of the season. The only thing that would prevent Judge from taking home that awards is if his batting average starts to dip down. It’s just hard to envision that happening anytime soon.
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