Aaron Judge’s 473-ft Moonshot vs. Astros tops 2024 MLB homers, third longest in career

In a remarkable display of power, Aaron Judge left an indelible mark on the game, despite the Yankees’ ultimate defeat. Facing off against Astros reliever Ryan Pressley in the bottom of the eighth inning, Aaron Judge connected with a 3-1 pitch, launching a monstrous 473-foot blast to left-center field.

The ball rocketed off Aaron Judge’s bat at an astonishing exit velocity of 115.7 miles per hour, matching Mike Trout for the longest home run of the 2024 MLB season. As the ball soared out of Yankee Stadium on Thursday, Aaron Judge etched his name in the record books, hitting the third-longest homer of his illustrious career. This came after he had a 404-feet blast on Wednesday.

Aaron Judge’s gargantuan shot found its resting place in the seats just above and to the left of the iconic Monument Park. The home run, his ninth of the season, pulled him even with teammate Juan Soto for the Yankees’ team lead. However, this particular swing stood out as his most impressive of the year, surpassing his previous longest homer of 450 feet.

Although the home run brought the Yankees within striking distance, reducing the deficit to a single run, it ultimately proved insufficient as they fell to the Astros 4-3. Nevertheless, the sheer magnitude of Aaron Judge’s blast did not escape the attention of Yankees manager Aaron Boone.

Boone marveled at the rarity of reaching that specific area of the stadium, emphasizing that only a select few players on the team possess the raw power necessary to accomplish such a feat. Aaron Judge’s prodigious display of strength served as a testament to his exceptional abilities at the plate.

“Not a lot of people go to that place,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “Other than a few guys we’ve got who are capable of doing that.”

Just a day prior, Aaron Judge had showcased his offensive prowess in a 9-4 victory over Houston, going 3-for-5 with a home run, two doubles, and three RBI. The slugger’s trio of extra-base hits marked the first time he had achieved such a feat in a single game this season.

After a somewhat slow start to the 2024 campaign, Aaron Judge has caught fire during his current five-game hitting streak. Over this span, he has batted an impressive .500 (9-for-18) with two homers, four doubles, four walks, six RBI, six runs scored, and a stolen base, demonstrating his all-around offensive capabilities and cementing his status as one of the most feared hitters in the game today.

Aaron Judge on the way to rebound 

In a display of raw power that has become synonymous with his name, Aaron Judge has launched home runs of incredible distances, including a 496-foot moonshot against the Blue Jays and a 495-foot blast that left spectators in awe. Interestingly, the 496-foot homer came off the pitching of current teammate Marcus Stroman.

Speaking highly of Aaron Judge’s abilities, Stroman emphasized the slugger’s exceptional talent and the impact he has on the game. He noted that when surrounded by a potent lineup, Judge’s presence becomes even more significant. Stroman also hinted at the possibility of Judge elevating his performance to new heights, suggesting that the best is yet to come.

“Judgy’s special, man. Judgy’s special,” he said. “And I feel like he’s even more special when you put him in a lineup where he has all these guys around him. He’s not even hot yet.”

Stroman is no stranger to the sheer power of Aaron Judge’s bat. During his tenure with the Blue Jays, Stroman surrendered the longest home run of the slugger’s career—a colossal 496-foot shot that reached the uppermost reaches of Yankee Stadium’s left-center-field bleachers on September 30, 2017. This particular homer was Aaron Judge’s 52nd and final of his record-breaking AL rookie campaign, a moment Stroman hasn’t forgotten.

Aaron Judge’s recent performances suggest that he is close to, if not already at, the peak of his powers. With nine homers, he is now tied with Juan Soto for the team lead and has been on a tear, hitting three in his past four games and six in his last 15.

When asked about his latest prodigious blast, Aaron Judge remained focused on the game, more concerned about bringing the Yankees closer to a win than admiring his own achievements. However, his performance during the six-game homestand—10-for-22 with four doubles, three homers, four walks, and seven RBIs—provides ample reason for optimism, indicating that Judge has found his stride and is poised for another remarkable season.

In a brief yet telling statement, Juan Soto expressed optimism regarding Aaron Judge’s recent performances, despite the limited sample size.

Soto praised Aaron Judge’s ability to contribute significantly even when not performing at his absolute best. He marveled at Judge’s inherent potential and implied that if the slugger could sustain his current level of play throughout the season, it would exceed expectations. Soto’s comments suggest that Aaron Judge’s present form, even if not his peak, is already remarkable and augurs well for the team’s success.

“It tells you how much he can do, how much damage he can do,” Soto said. “I mean, if he can keep that up the whole year, I’m not asking for more from him. If he keeps doing the same things that he’s been doing today, what else can we ask for? I think if he’s not locked in, it’s gonna be great.”

Aaron Judge’s home run on Thursday was a testament to his immense power, ranking among the longest homers hit to center field at Yankee Stadium since the introduction of Statcast tracking in 2015. Only Giancarlo Stanton‘s awe-inspiring 485-foot blast to nearly the same location last April surpassed Aaron Judge’s recent feat.

However, given Aaron Judge’s high standards and historical performance, he would likely be the first to acknowledge that he has not yet reached his desired level of offensive contribution. Despite this, the 32-year-old fantasy superstar’s bat has undeniably awakened following a sluggish start to the campaign.

Over his last 12 games, Aaron Judge has been on a tear, batting an impressive .372 with five home runs, 12 RBI, 10 runs scored, and a stolen base. As the Yankees prepare for a crucial three-game series against their division rivals, the Tampa Bay Rays, Aaron Judge aims to maintain his momentum and continue his ascent toward peak form, further solidifying his status as one of the most formidable hitters in the game today.

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