Aaron Judge is in the midst of what Aaron Boone called a “historic” season, breaking the 50-home run mark for the second time in three years and the third time in his career.
But he is on a 15-game home run streak.
This is not only Judge's longest home run streak this year, but it also ties the longest of his career.
“This is just baseball,” Judge said, echoing his manager's sentiments before the Yankees' 4-3, 11-inning victory over the Royals in the Bronx. “I'm feeling good and I think I'll produce.”
Judge's slump began in Washington when he crashed into the center field wall trying to block a home run by Andres Chaparro, but both Judge and Boone said Judge is healthy and has just the usual bruises and scratches that would see him play through September.
And Judge has proven that, unlike any other hitter, he can bounce back from those slump moments quickly.
It was just this past April that questions arose about Judge's lack of performance through the first month of the season.
Judge hit just four home runs in his first 27 games and batted .178 with a .674 OPS in 123 at-bats.
He then hit home runs on April 27 and the following day, giving him 47 home runs in 102 consecutive games, temporarily surpassing the pace he set during his record-breaking 2022 season.
Judge batted .377 with a 1.349 OPS, all but guaranteeing himself the AL MVP award.
But the past two weeks have been tough for both Judge and the Yankees.
He is currently in a slump with 11 hits in 54 at-bats, just three extra base hits, all doubles, for an OPS of .594.
“He's just a good hitter,” Boone said. “He's looking to have another historic season. He hasn't been as dominant as he usually is in April and even the last few weeks. I'm confident he'll get better.”
Judge's march toward the AL record of 62 home runs, which he set two years ago, came to an abrupt halt, and with 16 games left in the regular season, that mark seems within reach.
What's more important for the Yankees and Judge at this point is getting him out of his current slump.
Judge is still considered the favorite to win the American League MVP award again despite his current struggles, but shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. keeps things interesting and the Royals hold onto the No. 2 wild card spot.
“I don't care about that,” Judge said about the MVP race. “There's nothing I can do about it.”
As of Wednesday, Judge's WAR was 9.5 and Witt's was 9.1, according to Baseball Reference.
Judge not only leads the majors in home runs but in nearly every other offensive category, and no one has more RBIs, more OPS or more on-base percentage.
As for the Yankees, the more significant stat is that they have lost eight of their last 14 games trying to hold off the Orioles in the American League East.
