Aaron Judge is a superstar. Whether you look at his back-to-back all-star appearances, his 52-homer 2017 season, superb defense, or his jersey being named the best seller in baseball for two straight seasons, there’s no denying how good the 26-year-old is. Now reportedly at full health, Judge is primed for an electric 2019.
After an injury-affected but productive 2018 campaign and postseason, Judge has already started off the spring in proper fashion. In Sunday’s exhibition versus the Tigers, he drove two opposite-field homers to right, giving him a total of four extra-base hits in just ten preseason at-bats.
“He’s as healthy as he’s been probably since he’s been in the big leagues,” Manager Aaron Boone said of his right fielder.
Of course, Judge missed significant time this past season after being nailed by a Jakob Junis fastball in July, fracturing his wrist. This would sideline him from the starting lineup until late September, resulting in a home run/RBI total of just 27/67.
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However, had he played a full season, his numbers would be nothing to blink at. Before the injury, Judge was on pace for the 40-homer/100-RBI plateau. Which, although not as productive as his ridiculous 172 wRC+ 2017 campaign, it was still a very solid follow-up season for Judge.
Now at full health, expect an MVP caliber campaign from the slugger. After all, his numbers when healthy truly are nothing short from extraordinary.
Aaron Judge 2017-2018 stats:
267 games
.409 OBP
.584 SLG
162 wRC+
13.2 fWAR
79 home runs
Aaron Judge had himself a Sunday with TWO dingers for the Yankees 😤 pic.twitter.com/n7rqwV5aEB
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) March 3, 2019
It’s no secret that Aaron Judge is one of the best players in the game. MLB Network’s “The Shredder” named him the best right fielder in baseball for two straight seasons now, edging out Mookie Betts in both 2018 and 2019. It might be relatively shocking at first, but not when you compare the two superstars’ numbers.
