Aaron Judge has long been known as the most feared power hitter in baseball. Now, the New York Yankees’ captain is on the verge of adding something even rarer to his resume: a batting crown. With just a month left in the season, Judge not only leads the American League in OPS but also sits atop the batting race—putting him on track to join an exclusive list of sluggers who paired a .300-plus average with 40 or more home runs.
A Race Few Have Run
Judge’s OPS of 1.100 is towering over the rest of the league, more than .200 points higher than his closest competition. But what really stands out is Judge’s .321 batting average, which places him ahead of Athletics‘ rookie Jacob Wilson (.310), Toronto’s Bo Bichette (.308) and Houston’s Jeremy Peña (.307). Those four are the only hitters in the AL and the league above the .300 mark.
If Judge can hold on, the achievement will place him in select company. A batting title with 40-plus homers has happened only 16 times in major league history. Legends like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, and Miguel Cabrera have managed it. The last to do so was Cabrera during his MVP campaigns in 2012 and 2013. Judge would be the first Yankee since DJ LeMahieu in 2020 to claim the batting crown, and just the 10th in franchise history.
“He’s just an unbelievable player,” Boone said to reporters, according to NJ.com. “I don’t even feel like he’s been hot at any point this season. He’s grinding through it, and the numbers are still incredible.”
Grinding Through Injuries
Judge’s chase hasn’t come without challenges. A right elbow flexor strain landed him on the injured list earlier this month, and he’s been limited to designated hitter duties for 23 straight games. Since his return, his average has dipped 20 points, and his August line reads just .218 with five homers and 11 RBIs.
Even so, Judge continues to deliver game-changing moments. His 42nd homer of the year, a 429-foot blast off White Sox All-Star rookie Shane Smith, served as a reminder of why pitchers fear him in every at-bat. Boone believes that kind of swing signals a return to form.
“You can’t hold him down too long,” Boone said. “When Judge finds his rhythm, the hot streak is always around the corner.”
For Judge, September will be about staying ahead of Bichette, Peña, and a handful of others lurking just below the .300 threshold. Kansas City’s Bobby Witt Jr. (.299) and Toronto’s George Springer (.298) are close, but Judge’s cushion gives him room to control his own destiny.
That doesn’t make the task any less daunting. Pitchers today rarely face lineups three or four times through the order, with specialized bullpens shortening games. Boone has noted that modern pitching depth makes hitting .300 harder than ever. Judge’s ability to maintain that standard while also leading the league in power numbers underlines his place among the game’s most complete hitters.
If he succeeds, Judge will join a group that includes Ruth, Mantle, and Gehrig—all Yankees icons who defined eras with their bats. For a player already regarded as the face of the franchise, a batting crown would further cement his legacy in pinstripes.
“It’s just more testament to how good he is,” Boone said. “What he’s doing this season is unbelievable.”
Yankees’ Captain Closing in on Rare Batting Crown