At 33 years old, Aaron Judge has taken his game to an entirely new level, surpassing even his own impressive standards. No longer just the American League home run king or the fastest to 300 home runs, Judge is now redefining himself as one of the best pure hitters in baseball history. His performance this season has been so extraordinary that it is impossible to ignore his evolution — a transformation from a slugger into a balanced, all-around offensive force.
This month, Judge has been nothing short of spectacular. With a slash line of .406/.500/.717, his numbers stand among the elite. He has reached base 63 times in just 28 games, a feat only a handful of legendary players have matched in recent history. His numbers in March/April are comparable to those posted by some of the game’s all-time greats, including Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger, Albert Pujols, and Barry Bonds.
Judge’s current performance has elevated him into rare company — he is just the 20th player in Yankees history to reach base 63 times and drive in 27 runs in the team’s first 28 games. The only other player to accomplish such a feat in the past 23 years was Bryce Harper in 2017. What’s even more remarkable is that Judge is not just hitting for power, but also for average, showing an unprecedented level of discipline and control over his at-bats.
His transformation has been years in the making. Once considered vulnerable to breaking balls, Judge has closed that hole in his game significantly. He’s now hitting .261 against spin pitches, a significant improvement from his .226 career average. His ability to adjust to pitchers’ strategies has been key to his continued success. Teams that once tried to pound him with power sinkers have been forced to rethink their approach as Judge has adapted, pulling the ball with more consistency and precision.
What’s even more impressive is how Judge has refined his swing mechanics over the years. Standing at 6’7″ and weighing 282 pounds, Judge is a physical outlier in the sport. As a result, he has had to put in extra work to fine-tune his swing and approach, a process that began with an overhaul of his swing after his rookie season when he struggled mightily. His swing is now a well-honed weapon, combining raw power with a level of precision rarely seen in players of his size.
One of the most notable aspects of Judge’s game this season is how he has closed the final hole in his offensive game: the down-and-away pitch. For years, pitchers could exploit Judge’s size and reach by throwing breaking balls or fastballs to the low, outside corner of the strike zone. Historically, Judge struggled with pitches in this small rectangle, posting a .206 career batting average in that area. But this season, he has turned the tables, hitting .381 with a .524 slugging percentage on pitches in that zone. His ability to adjust to this area of the strike zone is a testament to his evolution as a hitter, and it shows just how far his game has come.
Judge’s physical and mechanical improvements go hand-in-hand. His front foot positioning and spine angle have changed over the years, helping him eliminate weaknesses in his swing. Where he once reached for pitches, now he maintains a more balanced, upright stance that allows him to make more solid contact. This adjustment has led to a significant increase in his ability to handle pitches on the outer edges of the strike zone, especially low and away.
His improvements aren’t limited to just the high and low pitches; he’s also becoming more adept at handling pitches in the lower half of the strike zone. Last year, Judge struggled against pitches low in the zone, hitting just .181 on such offerings. This year, he’s raised that average to .250, making him even more difficult for pitchers to neutralize. While he still doesn’t hit home runs on low pitches, Judge is able to get base hits, keeping the defense on its toes and preventing pitchers from simply avoiding him with low offerings.
Another impressive facet of Judge’s game this year is his plate discipline. He is seeing more pitches in the strike zone than ever before, with 50.2% of the pitches he faces this season coming within the zone — a career high. This is remarkable considering the fact that teams are well aware of Judge’s power, yet he continues to thrive. His ability to take advantage of pitchers who make mistakes in the strike zone has been a key to his success, and it makes him one of the most feared hitters in the game.
Despite his phenomenal performance this season, it’s important to acknowledge that Judge’s numbers will eventually regress. A .400 batting average is unlikely to be sustainable over the course of an entire season. However, with an OPS+ of 246, Judge’s numbers are already in the rarefied air of baseball’s all-time greats. Only Ted Williams, Barry Bonds, and Babe Ruth have posted an OPS+ of 225 or better in a season with at least 502 plate appearances. And with Judge on pace to surpass his own right-handed hitter record of 222 OPS+ from last season, his place among the game’s elite is all but cemented.
At age 33, Judge is rewriting the record books in an era where the depth of talent and rigorous steroid testing make such performances even more remarkable. He’s joining the ranks of legends who have exceeded 200 OPS+ at age 33 or older without any connection to steroids — a list that includes Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, and Honus Wagner. This places Judge in a league of his own, and it’s clear that his best years may still lie ahead.
As Judge continues to evolve and refine his game, he is proving that he is not just a power hitter but an all-around offensive force. His performance this season has solidified his legacy as one of the best hitters in the game, and with his combination of physical tools and mental adjustments, it’s clear that Aaron Judge is only getting better. His dominance at the plate is a sight to behold, and baseball fans everywhere should be ready to witness a historic chapter in his career.