New York Yankees star outfielder Aaron Judge seems destined to win his first American League MVP award.
He has 57 home runs with a .310 batting average: those two stats can help us get an understanding about how impressive he has been, because sluggers don’t usually hit for average, and contact hitters rarely show that kind of power.
Each and every part of Judge’s statistical profile screams MVP.
Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani has been magnificent once again and deserves serious MVP consideration, but it’s hard to ignore a player who is competing for the Triple Crown and for the single-season home run record in the American League at the same time.
Judge Is Red-Hot At The Plate
Not only has Judge had an incredible season: he has been steady and consistent all year long, especially as of late.
“Aaron Judge has now reached base in each of his last 15 games, his longest on-base streak of the season. He’s batting .462/.574/.981 (24-for-52) with 8 HR, 14 RBI, 16 R, 15 BB and 7 IBB in that span,” SI.com’s Max Goodman tweeted.
Aaron Judge has now reached base in each of his last 15 games, his longest on-base streak of the season.
He's batting .462/.574/.981 (24-for-52) with 8 HR, 14 RBI, 16 R, 15 BB and 7 IBB in that span.
— Max Goodman (@MaxTGoodman) September 15, 2022
Lots of hitters struggle to hit eight homers over the course of the whole season, but Judge is capable of doing it in 15 games.
He has been on another planet.
In the MVP voting, it’s important to point out that what Ohtani is doing – dominating at both hitting and pitching – is unique, and that’s why we have an MVP competition.
But Judge’s historically-relevant campaign should give him the edge when all is said and done.
The Yankees, led by Judge, have won four straight and eight of the last 10.
They appear to be peaking at the right time, and they have Judge to thank for that.
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