11 vs. 22 117+ mph homers? Aaron Judge is just at half the count of his Yankees teammate’s dinger tally.
Aaron Judge delivered another signature moment Wednesday, launching a thunderous home run that decided the Yankees’ series finale against the Mariners. The New York captain connected on a Carlos Vargas offering in the eighth inning, sending a 444-foot rocket to left-center that registered 117.7 mph off the bat.
The decisive blow, Judge’s 15th homer this season, propelled the Yankees to a 3-2 victory at T-Mobile Park. Yet even as the crowd marveled at Judge’s latest display of raw power, he remains second on one notable leaderboard — home runs with exit velocities of 117 mph or higher.
According to Statcast data compiled by MLB analyst Sarah Langs, Judge now owns 11 career homers reaching that rarefied velocity threshold, including postseason play. Still ahead? Teammate Giancarlo Stanton, who leads all of baseball with 22 such blasts since tracking began in 2015.
Stanton’s power legacy ahead of Judge
Despite currently rehabbing an elbow injury that landed him on the 60-day injured list, Stanton’s reputation as baseball’s premier exit velocity king remains intact. The 34-year-old has established himself as the game’s foremost power merchant, even as injuries have periodically interrupted his career.
Stanton has accumulated impressive career numbers across 15 seasons: 429 home runs, 1,103 RBIs, and a .257 batting average. Since arriving in New York through a 2017 trade with Miami, he has remained among baseball’s most intimidating hitters when available.
Following a challenging 2023 campaign, Stanton rebounded impressively last season, particularly in October. He batted .273 in postseason play, connecting for seven home runs and driving in 16 runs across 14 playoff contests. His resurgence earned abundant praise from Judge, who has consistently admired Stanton’s perseverance.
Judge’s appreciation for Stanton’s resilience
After Stanton’s 2024 playoff performance, Judge shared genuine admiration for his fellow slugger:
“I’m so pumped for him, man. The hard work he puts in the whole season — that guy’s gotten booed so many times at the stadium and on the road. He’s battled some tough injuries, but that guy always shows up when we need him.”
Judge added, “I can’t speak enough about what he does for this team.”
Together, they form perhaps baseball’s most fearsome power tandem, with Judge carving his own path toward Cooperstown. Since his 2016 debut, he has amassed 330 home runs and 757 RBIs while maintaining a .293 career average as the franchise cornerstone.
His 2024 campaign ranks among the finest in Yankees lore: a .322 average with 58 homers, 144 RBIs, and 133 walks. Now again leading the American League in home runs this May, Judge’s presence remains as imposing as ever.
Power Duo, Separated by Injury
While Judge continues carrying the Yankees through a competitive AL East race, Stanton’s return timeline remains uncertain. Nevertheless, his influence extends beyond statistics to the clubhouse, where younger players frequently cite his mentorship and professionalism.
With both sluggers under contract through 2027, New York still anticipates several more seasons of their unparalleled power. Should Stanton return healthy later this summer, the Bronx Bombers could once again feature baseball’s most formidable middle-of-the-order combination.
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