The New York Yankees have struggled with injuries in recent years, and this season is no exception. The Yankees have been forced to regroup after rotation setbacks and lineup changes caused by recurring injuries. Despite their struggles, they currently lead the American League East with a record of 19-15. Why? Aaron Judge had a historic season.
Aaron Judge Continues To Be the Best
The reigning AL MVP has taken his game to the next level, giving the Yankees one of the most consistent starts to a season in recent memory. Judge is currently on a historic run, leading all of Major League Baseball with a batting average of.432.
He is tied for first place with 33 RBIs, second in the majors with 11 home runs, and leads all batters with an incredible 1.287 OPS. These are not just impressive numbers; they are video game statistics.
What’s more impressive is Judge’s apparent willingness to replicate — or possibly outperform — his incredible 2024 campaign.
After hitting 58 home runs and driving in 144 runs the previous season, he won his second AL MVP award. Even more intriguing is the prospect of breaking his single-season home run record of 62, set during his historic 2022 campaign. It’s a real possibility now that he’s swinging the bat in that way, not just a fantasy.
Aaron Boone, the Yankees’ manager, continues to be impressed with Judge’s approach. “I keep telling people, too, that I don’t even feel like he’s caught fire yet,” Boone stated recently while appearing on “MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM.”
“He’s become such a good hitter that it’s difficult to leave the strike zone.” If you pitch perfectly, you’ll have a chance to get him out.”
For a Yankees team struggling in other areas, Judge’s dominance has been a lifeline. The starting rotation was expected to be a strength, but injuries and inconsistent play have hampered its performance.
Carlos Rodón has yet to find his groove since Gerrit Cole’s season-ending injury. The offense has surprisingly been the team’s lifeblood, and the bullpen has taken on additional responsibilities.
The Yankees, led by Judge, are now among the top five in MLB for team OPS, home runs, and runs scored. The lineup has stepped up and helped weather the storm, thanks to players like Ben Rice and Paul Goldschmidt.
Don’t be fooled, this is Judge’s squad. His presence, leadership, and offensive prowess have transformed a potentially difficult first half into a promising one. The league should be on high alert if, as Boone believes, this isn’t his best run yet. Judge is rewriting history, not simply repeating it.
