Yankees and MLB analysts Ryan Sampson and Joel Sherman recently weighed in on Aaron Judge‘s standout season and its potential impact on the Yankees’ championship run. New York currently holds the top spot in the AL East, positioning themselves for a postseason berth.
Aaron Judge has been exceptional this year, leading the Yankees’ 2024 campaign with 53 home runs, 132 RBIs, and a .321 batting average, making him a strong contender for the AL MVP award.
However, Sherman pointed out a notable gap between Aaron Judge’s regular-season dominance and his postseason track record. He emphasized that for the Yankees captain to secure his legacy in Yankees history, his playoff performances need to improve. Despite hitting some home runs in October, Aaron Judge’s postseason batting average has been lower, with frequent strikeouts. Sherman also highlighted the absence of defining playoff moments in the slugger’s career thus far.
Sherman told: “A lot of big at-bats are going to come to Judge in this postseason, and as Judge goes, often the Yankees go. Judge has not been a good postseason performer, there’s home runs there, but there is low batting average, strikeouts in a third of his at-bats and no signature moments yet, as a Yankee for his time in the playoffs.”
Sherman suggested that Aaron Judge’s legacy is still in the balance. While it’s almost certain that the top AL MVP contender will see his number retired and be enshrined in Monument Park, Sherman argued that truly legendary Yankees are those who deliver in the playoffs and help win championships.
He continued: “We’re talking about legacy stuff for Judge now, he’s a retired number, he’s a Monument Park player, that’s the trajectory he’s on. But, if you’re going to become ‘The Yankee’ Yankee, got to do some stuff in October, got to win championships.”
On the field, the Yankees recently clinched a 5-2 win over the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium, taking the four-game series. New York jumped to an early lead, scoring four runs in the first three innings. Aaron Judge added to his MVP-worthy season with his 53rd home run, a towering 445-foot shot to center field that brought in two runs. It was Judge’s second homer in three days, breaking a brief power drought.
Aaron Judge’s milestone march continues
Aaron Judge’s bat continues to garner milestones. The Yankees superstar became the first MLB slugger in 103 years to hit more than 50 home runs, more than 35 doubles, and over 120 walks in a season. The feat was last achieved by Babe Ruth in 1921.
Aaron Judge’s recent resurgence has been a key storyline heading into the series. After enduring a 17-game homer drought, Judge has found his power again, hitting two home runs in his last three games as he chases 60 for the season. His career slugging percentage of .602 places him in rarefied air, joining a list of legendary hitters that includes Lou Gehrig, Ted Williams, Jimmie Foxx, Hank Greenberg, Todd Helton, and Albert Pujols.
As they prepare for a pivotal three-game series against the Seattle Mariners, the stakes are high for both teams. The Yankees are looking to clinch the division title, while the Mariners are fighting to stay in the playoff hunt, trailing in both the AL West and Wild Card races.
With a .321 batting average, 53 home runs, and 132 RBIs, Judge is the clear favorite for the American League MVP Award. His powerful bat will be a major challenge for Seattle’s pitching staff in this crucial series.
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