Aaron Judge's Stellar Season Could Set New Records
As the 2023 Major League Baseball season intensifies, Aaron Judge stands at the forefront of a thrilling home run race. The New York Yankees' star outfielder has already sent 51 balls soaring over the fence, putting him on pace to achieve 63 home runs by season’s end. This feat would not only surpass his own record of 62 home runs set in 2022 but also solidify his reputation as one of the game’s preeminent power hitters.
Judge's performance this season has been nothing short of extraordinary. With a current Wins Above Replacement (WAR) of 9.4, he is on track to reach a season-long WAR of 11.5. To put this into perspective, a WAR of 11.5 would place him among the elite players in baseball history, coming close to Barry Bonds' remarkable 11.7 WAR achieved in 2002. This statistic underscores Judge's immense value to the Yankees, not just with his bat, but in all aspects of his game.
Juan Soto’s Impressive Numbers
Aaron Judge isn't the only one making headlines for the Bronx Bombers. Juan Soto, who is slated to become a free agent, has been equally impressive this year. Soto has already knocked 37 home runs, tying him for fourth in the league. His projected total of 45 home runs by the end of the season further cements his place as one of the league’s top sluggers.
Soto's contributions extend beyond the long ball. With a WAR of 7.5, he stands as the fourth-best player in Major League Baseball in this critical metric. Should he continue on this trajectory, his season-long WAR could reach 9.2, a formidable number that puts him in elite company.
A Potential Historic Duo
The combined efforts of Judge and Soto not only set the stage for individual accolades but also have the potential to etch their names together in the annals of baseball history. Together, they are on pace to accumulate a staggering 108 home runs this season. Only five previous pairs of teammates in MLB history have achieved such a combined total.
One notable comparison is the legendary 1961 Yankees, the only team to have two players—Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle—each surpass 50 home runs in the same season. Should Judge and Soto both clear that 50-home run threshold, they would join an exclusive club, highlighting the unique power duo the Yankees currently possess.
Teammates on a Historic Path
Beyond home runs, the Yankees' duo is also chasing another historical milestone in terms of WAR. The last time two Yankees teammates each accumulated a WAR over 10 was in 1927, a season still revered for its sheer dominance by Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. If Judge and Soto can both reach double-digit WAR, it will mark an unprecedented achievement in nearly a century, reinforcing the transformative impact they’ve had on the team’s success.
The statistics and records being pursued by Aaron Judge and Juan Soto this season signify more than just individual success—they represent the resurgence of the Yankees as a force to be reckoned with. Their potent combination of power, consistency, and overall contribution to the game is something fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the season progresses.
The anticipation builds with every swing of the bat and every game played, as baseball enthusiasts eagerly await to see if this extraordinary pair can continue their historic journey and bring the Yankees back to their former glory.