Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees slugger, has hit his 40th home run of the season, making him the first player in the majors to reach this milestone in the current season. The impressive blast traveled 477 feet into the left field bleachers at Yankee Stadium, showcasing Judge’s power at the plate. This two-run homer off Kevin Gausman also marked his 100th and 101st RBIs of the season, highlighting his offensive contribution to the team.
Judge’s recent performance is a stark contrast to his struggles earlier in the season when he was hitting just .197. Since May 3, he has been on fire, hitting .377 with 34 home runs and a 1.338 OPS. Despite his slow start, Judge currently leads the major leagues in various offensive categories, including homers, RBIs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, OPS+, and total bases. His .318 batting average also ranks third in baseball.
On pace for 58 home runs this season, Judge is poised to join a select group of players who have hit 50 homers in three different seasons, such as Babe Ruth, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, and Alex Rodriguez. With a 162-game pace of 72 since May 5, he is also within reach of breaking his own record of 62 homers set in 2022.
Judge’s outstanding performance comes in the second year of his nine-year, $360 million deal with the Yankees. Despite concerns over his contract following a toe injury last year, Judge has bounced back strong this season, contributing significantly to the team’s success. The Yankees, who had a rough patch after a strong start, have now won five consecutive games and are tied for the AL East lead with the Baltimore Orioles.
As Judge continues to make history with his remarkable home runs and offensive prowess, fans can look forward to witnessing more impressive feats from the talented slugger. His contributions to the team have been instrumental in their recent success, and his pursuit of breaking records adds an exciting element to the remainder of the season. With his exceptional skills and drive to excel, Aaron Judge remains a key player to watch in the world of baseball.