Aaron Judge’s status as one of baseball’s premier power hitters is underscored by his impressive performance this season, and his teammate Giancarlo Stanton believes the captain has the potential to etch his name in history.
While talking to The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty, Stanton expressed his view that Aaron Judge could challenge and potentially surpass Barry Bonds’ single-season home run record of 73.
Stanton highlighted the evolving nature of baseball records, noting that what once seemed unbreakable has been surpassed. He emphasized that Aaron Judge’s current home run pace makes such a record achievable, though it would necessitate maintaining his form throughout the remainder of the season.
“Times change,” said Stanton, who hit a majors-best 59 homers in his MVP 2017 season. “The game changes. It’s such a far-reaching number. But before that, so was 60. Then 70. It can be done. At the pace he’s going, he’s able to do it for sure. It’s just a matter of putting it together.”
Aaron Judge leads the majors with 51 home runs, placing him ten ahead of second-place Shohei Ohtani. With 31 games left in the season, the slugger is 11 home runs away from matching his personal best and American League record of 62, set in 2022.
Can Aaron Judge hit 73 home runs?
Aaron Judge is currently hitting one home run every nine at-bats, while Bonds’ 2001 record came at a rate of one homer every 6.5 at-bats. Although surpassing 73 home runs this season might be a tall order, the possibility of him achieving that milestone in the future remains viable.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed awe at the prospect of 73 home runs, describing it as a monumental figure. He acknowledged the possibility of records being surpassed, citing it as one of baseball’s notable aspects.
“Seven-three is such a massive number,” he said. “I don’t know. But then again, records are made to be broken. That’s one of the great things about our sport.”
Aaron Judge’s 62 home runs in 2022, while impressive, stands as the seventh-highest single-season total in MLB history. Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa have both surpassed this mark multiple times in their careers.
However, Aaron Judge appears well-positioned to potentially reset the American League record. His performance in 2022 saw him enter September with 51 home runs, adding 11 more in the final month. Currently, the slugger is on a remarkable hot streak, with 19 home runs in his last 36 games and a 15-game on-base streak.
When playfully asked about Aaron Judge’s potential home run total, Boone simply stated it could be substantial. He emphasized that the Yankees captain’s primary focus remains on quality at-bats and contributing to the team’s championship aspirations rather than personal records.
“I know that’s not necessarily his focus or his goal,” he said. “He’s trying to have the best at-bats and help us win the championship.”
Barry Bonds’ record of 73 home runs in a single season has remained untouched since 2001. When questioned about Aaron Judge’s ability to surpass this mark in his career, Juan Soto expressed confidence that if any player could achieve it, it would be his captain.
“If there’s any guy in the league who can do it,” the slugger said, “it’s going to be him.”
Giancarlo Stanton concurred with a straightforward affirmation. Boone also refrained from placing any limitations on Aaron Judge’s potential achievements, leaving open the possibility of future record-breaking performances.
Beyond his home run totals, Aaron Judge leads the majors in RBIs (122) and OPS (1.202) and ranks second in batting average (.333). His MVP-caliber performance has been crucial in helping the Yankees secure the best record in the American League.
As the season approaches its final stretch, the Yankees will continue to depend on Aaron Judgee’s exceptional offensive output to stay atop the American League standings. His pursuit of individual records aligns with the team’s postseason aspirations, making for an intriguing and high-stakes conclusion to the regular season.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Judge certainly has the momentum with 5 games left in August, and 26 in September. Weary arms and call-ups will play a part in his quest. I recall the pressure he faced in 2022, so reaching 70 might be asking too much. I believe he has 13 homers left in his bat.