I don't think anyone thought Aaron Judge would be this good.

[SJ24]

2017 stats: .284, 52 taters, 18.7% BB rate, 30.7% K rate, .430 wOBA, 173 wRC+, 24.7% O-Swing rate, 44.8% O-Contact rate, 88% medium/hard hit rate

2018 stats so far: .311, 9 taters, 18.5% BB rate, 28.6% K rate, .432 wOBA, 172 wRC+, 22.5% O-Swing rate, 46.2% O-Contact rate, 81.8% medium/hard hit rate

He's actually getting better (probably) when you take into account he's a focus of the game plan this year and pitchers have had a year to adjust. He's striking out less while simultaneously swinging less at bad pitches and hitting better against bad pitches.

Pretty scary.

This is a premier RF in the game right there with Bryce and Mookie. I think it will be fascinating to see who gets the starting spot in the ASG between him and Mookie.

 

[UNCBlue012]

I didn't at all. I really wish the massive trade rumor where we get Judge and Severino would have happened. lol

 

[CJ9]

I didn't at all. I really wish the massive trade rumor where we get Judge and Severino would have happened. lol

Sanchez was in it, too! I've tried to completely remove that memory from my mind because it's depressing that it didn't happen.

 

[SJ24]

And we took Jason Hursh over him in the draft.

Lol.

 

[Super]

jason hursh. classic.

 

[nsacpi]

I remember someone proposing Judge for Albies a couple years ago. Would you do it?

 

[bravesfanMatt]

I remember someone proposing Judge for Albies a couple years ago. Would you do it?

I am still not a huge Judge guy. I think the Ks will eventually catch up to him. But I am starting to believe otherwise.

 

[Russ2dollas]

Reminder that all prospects do not shoot through the system or develop linearly.

Wasn't he like 25 on his debut?

 

[SJ24]

I remember someone proposing Judge for Albies a couple years ago. Would you do it?

Yes, and I wouldn't think twice.

Judge has produced an 8 WAR season and appears to combine above average intelligence with above average physical gifts. He's the type of guy the Yankees are going to build a dynasty around.

I am still not a huge Judge guy. I think the Ks will eventually catch up to him. But I am starting to believe otherwise.

His K% in the minors was never above 28.5% for a season, and the early returns are he's improved even more this year, as the stats in the OP indicate.

 

[SJ24]

Reminder that all prospects do not shoot through the system or develop linearly.

Wasn't he like 25 on his debut?

He was 24 when he debuted in 2016.

He was 25 when he won the starting RF spot out of spring training in 2017.

 

[Super]

Yes, and I wouldn't think twice.

Judge has produced an 8 WAR season and appears to combine above average intelligence with above average physical gifts. He's the type of guy the Yankees are going to build a dynasty around.



His K% in the minors was never above 28.5% for a season, and the early returns are he's improved even more this year, as the stats in the OP indicate.

Yeah, he's only at 28.6% this year with BBs staying the same. He's rocking a really high BABIP right now tho.

 

[Orphan Black]

Yeah keep in mind he started really hot at the beginning of last season too until he nosedived after the All Star break.

 

[GeorgiaGirl]

He hits the ball really hard when he connects. He's going to have a high BABIP most seasons. I just believe (in all cases though) that there's going to be that season, even if it's just once, where BABIP turns against you even if you have a skill that leads to a high BABIP and you have a down year. It wouldn't happen every year, it's just an occasional down year.

I didn't think he'd be MVP caliber though.

 

[SJ24]

Yeah keep in mind he started really hot at the beginning of last season too until he nosedived after the All Star break.

He apparently hurt himself in the derby and played injured in the 2nd half.

He's back to being good so far this year.

 

[Super]

He hits the ball really hard when he connects. He's going to have a high BABIP most seasons. I just believe (in all cases though) that there's going to be that season, even if it's just once, where BABIP turns against you even if you have a skill that leads to a high BABIP and you have a down year. It wouldn't happen every year, it's just an occasional down year.

I didn't think he'd be MVP caliber though.

i thought exit velo and BABIP didn't really have a relationship

 

[Orphan Black]

He apparently hurt himself in the derby and played injured in the 2nd half.

He's back to being good so far this year.

Sounds like an excuse to me, but we'll see. To me if you are so hurt that you nose dive as hard as he did you need to be not playing and get better.

 

[SJ24]

Sounds like an excuse to me, but we'll see. To me if you are so hurt that you nose dive as hard as he did you need to be not playing and get better.

He had arthroscopic surgery in the offseason. I wouldn't call that an excuse.

 

[Orphan Black]

He had arthroscopic surgery in the offseason. I wouldn't call that an excuse.

Then he's just stupid. The guy should have told the team what was going on so he could get better.

 

[Enscheff]

Are we saying folks didn't claim Judge was a potential masher when he was a prospect?

 

[SJ24]

Are we saying folks didn't claim Judge was a potential masher when he was a prospect?

No- we are saying nobody thought he'd be an 8-10 WAR guy in conversation for the MVP most years, which is what looks like will happen.

Fangraphs had his raw power FV at 70 and game power at 55. I think he should be an 80 on both with a 65 hit tool.

Also the guy is ridiculously smart.