Setting Records and Chasing Legends: Aaron Judge's Historic Season
In the annals of baseball history, few seasons stand out as much as Aaron Judge’s 2022 campaign, where he shattered the American League single-season home run record with an awe-inspiring 62 home runs. Fast forward to the present day, Judge is once again making waves, having already launched 51 home runs this season and setting himself on a trajectory to surpass his own record with a projected 63 homers by the end of the season.
Judge’s dominance at the plate is reflected not only in his power numbers but also in his comprehensive contributions to the game. His current Wins Above Replacement (WAR) stands at an impressive 9.4, with projections suggesting that he may reach a season-long WAR of 11.5. This achievement puts him on par with some of the greatest individual performances in the history of Major League Baseball. To put it in perspective, Barry Bonds, the all-time home run king, posted a WAR of 11.7 in his historic 2002 season.
The Phenomenal Rise of Juan Soto
While Judge has been rewriting the record books, another star has been shining brightly in the MLB cosmos: Juan Soto. As a pending free agent, Soto's performance this season has only elevated his value on the open market. With 37 home runs to his name, he stands tied for fourth in the league, trailing only a few elite sluggers. Projections indicate that he is on pace to finish the season with 45 home runs.
Soto's total WAR currently sits at 7.5, placing him fourth overall in Major League Baseball this season. His contributions are not just limited to his home runs; his overall play suggests that his season-long WAR might reach an astounding 9.2.
Historic Teammate Feats on the Horizon?
As we witness these two powerhouses dominate their respective domains, it's worth noting that their combined efforts are on track to produce an exceptional number. Judge and Soto collectively are on pace to hit 108 home runs this season. Achieving this would put them in an elite group, as only five previous pairs of teammates in Major League Baseball history have combined to hit a total of 108 home runs in a single season.
To find a team with two players surpassing 50 home runs in the same season, one has to go back to the hallowed New York Yankees team of 1961. The formidable duo of Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle spearheaded that legendary lineup. Furthermore, the Yankees franchise has not seen two teammates each accumulate a WAR over 10 since the iconic 1927 squad, famously known as “Murderers' Row," which featured the likes of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.
A Legacy in the Making
As this season progresses, avid baseball fans and sports analysts alike are keeping a close watch on Judge and Soto. Their individual exploits are nothing short of extraordinary, but the potential for their combined historical achievements adds another layer of intrigue to an already captivating MLB narrative.
The ongoing seasons of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto are more than just personal milestones; they represent a nod to the legends of the past while simultaneously crafting new chapters in baseball lore. Whether Judge surpasses his home run record or if both players achieve WAR figures surpassing 10, their contributions to the game this season will undoubtedly be remembered as some of the finest performances in the sport's storied history.
For now, it’s a season of watchful anticipation, as fans wait to see if these modern titans can match or even exceed the feats of baseball legends. With every swing of the bat and every game-changing play, Aaron Judge and Juan Soto are not just playing the game—they are reshaping it.