Yankees captain and MVP Aaron Judge secured his first AL Player of the Month Award for the year 2023 after MLB selected him for the month of May. It marks his sixth career accolade after a sensational MVP-winning season in 2022 gave him three of those awards.
Despite a setback that kept him sidelined for the initial eight days of May, the towering 6-foot-7 slugger made a triumphant return, unleashing his prowess with a batting average of .342. Over the course of 21 games, Judge smashed 12 homers, drove in 25 runs, drew 20 walks, and boasted an impressive 1.356 OPS.
Aaron Judge only Yankee to win it since 2019
Since June 2019, when DJ LeMahieu, Aaron Judge’s teammate, received the monthly honor, no other Yankees player has managed to secure the prestigious accolade. With this recent achievement, Aaron Judge joins an exclusive group of esteemed athletes, becoming the 13th player in history to claim a remarkable six Player of the Month awards. He now shares this remarkable feat with the legendary Alex Rodriguez, who previously held the record for the most such awards in the franchise’s storied history.
Aaron Judge’s earlier wins came in September/October 2022, July 2022, May 2022, September 2017, and June 2017. The four-time All-Star has won the Yankees‘ last four Player of the Month awards all by himself, proving that he is the best player on the team.
Aaron Judge in May
Amidst an extraordinary performance in May, the reigning AL MVP etched his name in the annals of baseball history with an unforgettable month. Across 21 games, Aaron Judge showcased his prowess at the plate, boasting an impressive slash line of .342/.474/.882. His remarkable display included launching 12 home runs and driving in 25 runs, contributing significantly to his team’s success.
Not only did he lead the majors in OPS with a staggering 1.356, but he also tied for the league lead in home runs while claiming the top spot in the AL for on-base percentage. Moreover, Aaron Judge found himself among the leaders in various offensive categories, including runs scored (23) and extra-base hits (17).
What sets his accomplishments apart is the exceptional 1.917 OPS he achieved on the road during May, surpassing the previous record held by Babe Ruth himself. This monumental feat places Aaron Judge in a league of his own in the Modern Era, establishing a new standard for excellence in away performances (minimum 30 plate appearances).
Aaron Judge had a great game on May 29. He showed off his incredible power by hitting two home runs, giving him an amazing 31 multi-homer games for his career. This is the most home runs hit by a player in his first 774 games in the Major Leagues. Notably, Aaron Judge did more for the game than just hit home runs. He also had three extra-base hits, which was the fifth time in his career that he did this. This was a big deal because it was the first time Aaron Judge had three or more extra-base hits in a game since September of the year before when he did it against Milwaukee.
It’s worth noting that Aaron Judge achieved these remarkable feats despite missing the first week of the season due to a hip injury. His return on May 9th only magnifies the significance of his achievements, solidifying his position as a true force to be reckoned with on the baseball diamond.
Aaron Judge vs. Freddie Freeman: Who is the best
While Aaron Judge won it for the American League, Dodgers’ All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman became the National League Player of the Month for May. It was Freeman’s third NL Player of the Month Award and the first since he joined the Dodgers before the 2022 season. Before this win, he had already won the award during his outstanding 2020 NL MVP season with the Atlanta Braves and in September 2016.
Freeman’s honor is especially important because he is the first Dodgers player to win this prestigious award since his former friend Cody Bellinger won it in April 2019 during his own NL MVP Award-winning season.
In the 21 games Aaron Judge played last month, the 31-year-old outfielder showed off his amazing skills by hitting .342 (26-for-76) with the bat. His performance was amazing because he hit 12 home runs, drove in 25 runs, hit five doubles, stole one base, and scored 23 runs.
In May, Freeman hit .400 (46-for-115) with six home runs, 26 RBI, 17 doubles, one triple, and four stolen bases. He also scored 28 runs with a .722 slugging percentage and a .462 on-base percentage. Freeman’s exceptional performance last month included hitting safely in all but two games. He currently holds an active 20-game hitting streak since May 10th, with 14 of those games featuring multiple hits.
From May 28 to May 30, Aaron Judge hit home runs in three straight games, giving him a total of four homers during that time. Notably, on May 29 in Seattle, he hit two home runs, giving him his third multi-homer game of the month and adding to his great play. This amazing accomplishment was the 10th time in Aaron Judge’s career that he went deep in three straight games, leaving a lasting mark on his impressive record.
Freeman, a six-time All-Star, set a new franchise record in May, registering 24 extra-base hits, surpassing Babe Herman and Duke Snider’s previous mark of 23. Additionally, he achieved a new franchise record for any calendar month with 17 doubles, surpassing Babe Herman’s 16 doubles in July 1930. He had an outstanding performance on May 30th at Dodger Stadium. In a commanding 9-3 victory over the Washington Nationals, he went 4-for-5 at the plate, including a powerful home run, and crossed the plate twice. This stellar showing marked his second four-hit game of the season, further solidifying his impact as a key contributor to his team’s success.
Aaron Judge, the three-time Silver Slugger Award winner, showcased his prowess on May 23rd with a solo homer in the bottom of the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles. This pivotal moment forced the game into extra innings, ultimately resulting in a 6-5 victory for his team. On May 15th, Aaron Judge hit a pair of home runs in a 7-4 win against the Toronto Blue Jays. The following day, he slugged a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth inning, propelling New York to a 6-3 victory over Toronto.
The California native showcased remarkable consistency by reaching base safely in his last 18 games, starting from May 12th. Aaron Judge has reached base safely in 41 of the 47 games he has played this season.
Freeman reached his 300th career home run with a grand slam on May 18. The three-time Silver Slugger Award winner currently leads the Majors with 23 doubles, 34 extra-base hits, and 134 total bases. Additionally, he ranks second in hits with 79 and boasts a batting average of .346.
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