Aaron Judge – 2022
The belief was that there may never be another 60 home run hitter in MLB history. Aaron Judge changed that.
With the Yankees trailing 8-4 heading into the bottom of the ninth inning on September 20, Judge launched Wil Crowe’s 3-1 sinker deep to left to lead off the frame. That blast was a catalyst as Crowe never recorded an out in what would become a 9-8 walk-off victory for the Yankees.
Suffice to say that the Yankees have needed all of those homers. Judge had carried the offense alone at times, a one man wrecking crew that has put the team on his broad shoulders as he has dragged them into the postseason.
It is also a perfectly timed year. Judge is slated to enter free agency at the end of the season, having turned down a seven year extension worth just over $217 million. Considering that he has already made history with his 60th homer, and is threatening to make more history with a Triple Crown, he is likely to easily surpass that previous offer on the open market.
Aaron Judge had proven to be a dangerous slugger when healthy. He proved that by making MLB history as the sixth member of the 60 home run club.