Aaron Judge’s Historic Start to the 2025 Season

As of early May 2025, New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge continues to illuminate the baseball landscape with a batting average of .423/.510/.777. Even after a challenging double-header where he went 1-for-5, Judge has demonstrated remarkable consistency, extending his hit streak to 14 games. During this period, he has achieved ten extra-base hits and boasts a remarkable 30-game on-base streak, leading the major leagues in several key statistical categories.

Impressive Stats to Date

• Leads MLB in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, and total hits.
• Currently tied for the league lead in RBIs with Teoscar Hernández.
• Positioned as the top player in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) through coordinated metrics.

In the wake of his record-breaking 62 home runs in 2022 and a stellar 2024 season, Judge appears to have raised his performance to even greater heights this season, placing him among legends like Babe Ruth and Ted Williams.

Batting Average Context

Judge’s .423 batting average places him fifth among the best starts in MLB since division play began in 1969. Key comparisons include:

• Paul O’Neill (1994 Yankees): .459/.562/.847
• Rod Carew (1983 Angels): .449/.480/.593
• Luis Arraez (2023 Marlins): .430/.483/.533
• Barry Bonds (1993 Giants): .429/.539/.813
• Aaron Judge (2025 Yankees): .423/.510/.777

Despite the potential for regression with a .500 batting average on balls in play (BABIP), Judge’s capabilities stand out, especially given the league’s overall batting average is significantly lower at .242. Historical performance trends indicate that achieving a batting average above .400 is an extraordinary feat, with Mickey Mantle being the only player to do so since 1947.

OPS and Historical Comparisons

Judge’s OPS currently stands at an impressive 1.287, ranking him significantly among other great starts. The highest OPS figures from the same timeframe include:

• Barry Bonds (2004 Giants): 1.470 OPS
• Barry Bonds (2002 Giants): 1.428 OPS
• Paul O’Neill (1994 Yankees): 1.409 OPS
• Barry Bonds (1993 Giants): 1.352 OPS
• Cody Bellinger (2019 Dodgers): 1.337 OPS

Context is essential here, as historical OPS figures were amassed during high-scoring periods in baseball.

Advanced Metrics and Strikeout Rate

As of now, Judge’s weighted runs created plus (wRC+) stands at an astounding 270, the highest on record to date. This metric not only highlights Judge’s exceptional performance but also contrasts starkly against other players’ historical data.

Moreover, his strikeout rate has significantly improved to 20.3%, down from previous years. Notably:

• 2017: 30.7% SO rate
• 2022: 25.1% SO rate
• 2024: 24.3% SO rate
• 2025: 20.3% SO rate

This decrease indicates that Judge’s contact skills are evolving, resulting in more productive at-bats.

Effective Against Pitches

Judge’s performance against softer pitches has also been notable. His slugging percentage against pitches below 94 mph is a staggering .845. While he remains challenged by harder pitches, this season he’s showing marked improvement.

As Judge continues to perform at this high level, the potential for even greater achievements looms large, making him a player to watch as the 2025 season progresses thoroughly.