Aaron Judge: A Statistical Marvel in 2025

As the MLB season unfolds, New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge continues to raise the bar with his exceptional performance. Following an impressive double during a recent game, Judge boasts a remarkable batting line of .423/.510/.777, demonstrating his dominance at the plate.

Remarkable Hitting Streak

Judge’s accomplishments include extending his hitting streak to 14 games, in which he has achieved an impressive .474 batting average, accumulating 10 extra-base hits. Additionally, his on-base streak has now reached 30 games, placing him at the forefront of major league statistics in several categories:

• First in batting average
• First in on-base percentage
• First in slugging percentage
• First in OPS (On-base Plus Slugging)
• First in hits
• Tied for the lead in RBIs with Teoscar Hernandez
• Leading in WAR (Wins Above Replacement)
• Top in OPS+ (adjusted On-base Plus Slugging)
• Leading in weighted runs created (wRC+)

Historic Comparisons

Judge’s current performance positions him alongside baseball legends such as Babe Ruth and Ted Williams. Yankees broadcaster Paul O’Neill recently stated, “We’re watching one of the best ever to play this game,” highlighting the significance of Judge’s contributions. To further illustrate his excellence, here is a comparison of batting averages through 34 team games since 1969:

• Paul O’Neill, 1994 Yankees: .459
• Rod Carew, 1983 Angels: .449
• Luis Arraez, 2023 Marlins: .430
• Barry Bonds, 1993 Giants: .429
• Aaron Judge, 2025 Yankees: .423

Despite expectations of a regression, Judge’s batting average remains impressive, particularly in a league where the average hovers at .242.

On-Base Performance Metrics

In addition to a high batting average, Judge registers a staggering OPS of 1.287. Comparisons reveal some of the highest OPS totals since 1969:

• Barry Bonds, 2004 Giants: 1.470
• Barry Bonds, 2002 Giants: 1.428
• Paul O’Neill, 1994 Yankees: 1.409
• Barry Bonds, 1993 Giants: 1.352
• Cody Bellinger, 2019 Dodgers: 1.337

Though Judge finds himself tied for 15th in terms of raw OPS figures, the era in which he plays is key—many of the highest recorded OPS totals come from the high-scoring landscape of the 1990s and early 2000s.

Enhanced Performance Metrics

Judge’s weighted runs created (wRC+) entering Sunday was an eye-popping 270, a figure that, if maintained, would set a record surpassing even Barry Bonds’ historic best. The astonishing output reflects Judge’s ability to maintain extraordinary performance in the current hitting landscape.

To contextualize this achievement, Judge’s previous season showed a wRC+ of 218, ranking him among the greatest hitters. Analyzing his recent 162-game performance shows a consistent level of excellence with a .366 batting average and an OPS of 1.264.

Contact and Strikeout Rates

A question arises: how is Judge excelling at age 33 while many players begin to experience decline? The answer lies in his improved contact rate:

• 2017: 30.7% strikeout rate, .284 average
• 2022: 25.1% strikeout rate, .311 average
• 2024: 24.3% strikeout rate, .322 average
• 2025: 20.3% strikeout rate, .423 average

His ability to make contact, particularly with pitches in the strike zone, explains his increasing batting average while maintaining power output.

Handling Pitches Effectively

Judge’s slugging percentage against softer pitches has risen sharply, demonstrating his capability against varied pitching styles. Currently, he is slugging .845 against pitches under 94 mph. However, he maintains effectiveness against faster pitches as well, showing a balanced repertoire of hitting skills. Over the past two seasons, his performance against pitches of 95+ mph is equally noteworthy, boasting a .500 average in 2025.

Conclusion

In summary, Aaron Judge’s performance in the early 2025 season has not only established him as a leader in multiple statistical categories but also showcased his potential for historic achievements this year. With the season still unfolding, fans should remain eager as he has yet to hit his stride fully. His prowess at the plate exemplifies the harsh reality pitchers face: dealing with a hitter at the peak of his powers.