Aaron Judge
The American League’s leading home-run hitter could be even better in 2018.
After surpassing the rookie record for homers in a season, Judge may struggle in recreating a similar season. And maybe he shouldn’t focus on the long ball as much next year, rather than learning to make contact.
Judge broke another, more notorious, a record that gained considerable attention. He struck out in 37 straight games in the regular season, nearly 24 percent of the games he played in 2017. He was the league-leader in whiffs as well.
But he also possesses some plate discipline, as he accrued 127 walks, second-most in the MLB. Ultimately, fans can argue that he either hits a home run, walks or strikes out. It’s not a ridiculous theory.
However, as everyone saw in the Home Run Derby, his power overshadows everything else in his repertoire. His home runs can attest to that.
Not only can Judge send balls over the fence, but he can also send them deep into the seats wherever he is. Ten of his bombs landed further than 450 feet from home plate. And 16 of them were deemed “no-doubters.”
Will he once again exceed 50 home runs?
It’s a difficult feat. The last hitter in the AL to swat 50 homers in back-to-back seasons was Alex Rodriguez in 2001 and 2002. But Rodriguez admitted to taking steroids, beginning in 2001, so that could have helped him achieve that.
If Judge can lower his strikeouts, he could once again reach at least the 40-home-run mark. But considering that he did have a few bombs that barely landed over the fence, Judge may not reach 50 next season.
Either way, he’s still likely going to finish atop the home run list for the New York Yankees.