The New York Yankees slugger is threatening to break his own American League single-season home run record, with just 35 games remaining in the 2023 campaign.
Just two short years after etching his name into baseball history by breaking a 61-year-old record, Aaron Judge is once again threatening to rewrite his own legacy.
The New York Yankees superstar has launched 46 home runs this season, putting him on pace to surpass his own mind-boggling total of 62 set in 2022. With 35 games remaining on the regular-season schedule, Judge is on the cusp of becoming just the fifth player in MLB history to record three 50-homer seasons.
Aaron Judge Charging Towards History, Chasing 63rd Home Run
Judge's current performance exceeds even the incredible numbers he put up last year. In 2022, he batted .311 with an on-base percentage of .425 and a slugging percentage of .686. This year, he has raised his batting average to .334, his on-base percentage to .465, and his slugging percentage to an astonishing .722.
Despite Judge's torrid pace, he is currently "on pace" to fall just short of 60 home runs for the season. However, this projection includes his early-season slump, during which he hit only six homers in his first 35 games.
Aaron Judge Charging Towards History, Chasing 63rd Home Run
Since May 5, Judge has turned it around, blasting 41 home runs in 90 games. That equates to a 73.8-home run pace over a full season, matching Barry Bonds' all-time record set in 2001, a mark that remains shrouded in controversy.
To reach 63 home runs and break his own record, Judge needs to hit 16 homers in his final 35 games. Since May 5, he has averaged 15.9 home runs per 35 games.
Aaron Judge Charging Towards History, Chasing 63rd Home Run
Judge's pursuit of history has captivated the baseball world, with fans eager to witness the possibility of another record-breaking season. If he continues his current torrid pace, the television screens may once again be filled with images of Judge circling the bases after sending another ball soaring over the outfield fence.
