Nine years into his MLB arc, Aaron Judge stands as a blueprint for modern sluggers. His first big-league swing came with a 87-mph changeup over the center-field wall, a moment that wouldn’t just announce a debuting rookie but foreshadow a dominance that would reshape the Yankees’ lineup for a generation. By the time Wednesday rolled around, Judge led MLB in batting average, on-base, slugging, and OPS, a rare quartet that underscores his all-around impact. His 2022 season set an American League single-season home-run record with 62, and last year he matched that star-level production with 58 homers, a career-best RBI total (144), and career highs in OBP (.458), SLG (.701) and OPS (1.159). He became the fastest player ever to reach 300 career homers, needing just 3,431 at-bats and 955 games. On the Yankees’ all-time leaderboard, he has climbed into sixth, passing Alex Rodriguez, and sits within striking distance of the top five as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx and others loom ahead. The nine-year anniversary also anchors a broader tale of evolution—from Fresno State draftee to captain of a franchise, and a cornerstone for fantasy rosters that crave elite volume in average, OBP, power, and run production. Judge’s current health situation, after a brief IL stint, is a reminder that durability will be the key differentiator as he eyes a late-season push and another potential MVP-caliber chapter in pinstripes.
His pro journey began with a pair of debuting Yankees prospects—one of them was Judge—who immediately left their mark by hitting back-to-back homers in their first MLB plate appearances, a historic milestone that showcased the excitement surrounding the club’s youth movement. Since then, Judge has become the embodiment of the modern Yankee era—captain since 2022, seven All-Star selections, and a World Series appearance that underscored the team’s ongoing quest for a title that has eluded him so far. As the Yankees navigate the current campaign, Judge’s blend of elite contact, patient approach, and rare power makes him a non-negotiable centerpiece for fantasy lineups that require a player who can anchor a season with a high average, extraordinary on-base ability, and multi-category counting stats.
Fantasy managers should treat Judge as a rare multi-category powerhouse with a long track record of consistency and peak-level production. While the elbow-related IL stint briefly complicates his availability, the surrounding lineup and the durability of his recent form argue for him as a first-round anchor. With the potential to chase additional milestones and continue to climb the Yankees’ all-time HR list, his value remains near-unparalleled for the near- and mid-term horizon. If he returns to right field and stays healthy, Judge should threaten 40+ homers again while maintaining a robust batting average and OBP, making him a foundational player in redraft and dynasty formats alike.
