Aaron Judge Standing Tall Among MLB's Elite in 2025

(Photo Via LA Times)

MLB Hitters To Watch 5/22 (Data: @RotoWire)

Aaron Judge - .375 AVG & 1.054 OPS with 2 HR in 32 AB vs. Nathan Eovaldi

Ryan McMahon - .400 AVG & 1.255 OPS with 1 HR in 10 AB vs. Ranger Suarez

Kyle Schwarber - .353 AVG & 1.215 OPS with 2 HR in 17 AB vs. German Marquez

Nick… pic.twitter.com/rqTHzdoaOf

— Tobey Schulman (@tschulmanreport) May 22, 2025

In a league brimming with generational talent, Aaron Judge is carving out a truly special season in 2025, not just holding his own but arguably surpassing many of his superstar peers. While players like Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Juan Soto continue to impress, Judge's all-around offensive dominance has placed him in a class by himself as the season progresses.

Let's delve into the numbers through May 21st to see why Judge is currently the top hitter in baseball:

The Argument for Judge:

 * Batting Average (AVG): Judge's astounding .402 AVG is simply unmatched. To put that in perspective, he leads the league by a significant margin. For comparison:

   * Freddie Freeman (LAD): .368

   * Shohei Ohtani (LAD): .311

   * Mookie Betts (LAD): .261

   * Juan Soto (NYM): .243

 * On-Base Percentage (OBP): Judge's ability to get on base is unparalleled, boasting a .491 OBP. This demonstrates exceptional plate discipline and a keen eye.

   * Shohei Ohtani: .405

   * Freddie Freeman: .427

   * Mookie Betts: .347

   * Juan Soto: .374

 * Slugging Percentage (SLG): His power is undeniable, evident in his towering .755 SLG.

   * Freddie Freeman: .660

   * Shohei Ohtani: .668

   * Kyle Schwarber (PHI): .563 (though Schwarber is very close in HRs, his overall slugging trails)

   * Mookie Betts: .438

 * On-Base Plus Slugging (OPS): The gold standard for offensive production, Judge's 1.246 OPS is significantly higher than any other star.

   * Freddie Freeman: 1.087

   * Shohei Ohtani: 1.074

   * Mookie Betts: .784

   * Juan Soto: .804

 * Home Runs (HR): With 16 home runs, Judge is right at the top of the leaderboard, trailing only Ohtani and Schwarber (both with 17). However, his superior AVG and OBP make his overall impact greater.

 * RBIs: Judge leads the league with 44 RBIs, showcasing his ability to drive in runs when it matters most.

 * Advanced Metrics (wOBA and wRC+): These metrics further solidify Judge's position. His .517 wOBA and 245 wRC+ are astronomical, indicating he's producing runs at an elite rate far beyond the league average. For context, a wRC+ of 100 is league average, making Judge more than double that.

While Shohei Ohtani is a two-way phenomenon and players like Ronald Acuña Jr. (currently injured, impacting his 2025 stats) offer a blend of power and speed, Judge's pure hitting prowess this season is simply unmatched. His combination of contact, on-base ability, and prodigious power places him firmly at the pinnacle of offensive performance in Major League Baseball right now. He's not just hitting for power; he's hitting for average, getting on base, and driving in runs at a historic pace, making a compelling case for him as the best hitter in the game.