Aaron Judge -- how many will he hit, prediction thread

[Shoeless Moe]

Ohtani leads in ZERO batting categories.....and only 1 pitching category.....wild pitches.

Aaron Judge leads in 10 offensive categories (Home Runs, RBI, Walks, .OBP, SLG, OPS, OPS+, Total Bases, IBB, Runs).

Judge has the Yankees in first place by 6 games in what may be the toughest division in baseball. The Angels were eliminated I believe at the All Star Break.

Judge might win the Triple Crown (which has happened ONCE since Yaz in '67).

He will tie or beat one of the Greatest records of All Time 61 Home Runs in a season.

And you think Ohtani sniffs Judge this season, you should be shot!......or thrown down a flight of stairs.........or at least be egged by a bunch of neighborhood kids.

[Peter_Spaeth]

So the fact that Ohtani fills two roles allows you to add the worst player on your team to your roster. How valuable is that when push comes to shove, I don't know how to quantify it.

[Smarti5051]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

So the fact that Ohtani fills two roles allows you to add the worst player on your team to your roster. How valuable is that when push comes to shove, I don't know how to quantify it.

Well, one consideration is that with Verlander as your ace, you need to build the rest of your team, including (presumably) a dedicated DH and slate of RHP and LHP to start, setup and close. If Ohtani is your ace, you can literally have the exact same lineup with one extra roster spot. This flexibility could be used for a luxury specialist that has one or two tools, but not enough versatility to fit on a normal roster.

Imagine a player that hits .212, mediocre defender, but a true expert on the basepaths. He probably gets a couple shots in the big leagues, but keeps getting sent down because he doesn't have the BA or fielding skills to stay on the bench. But, if you have the extra spot because Ohtani fills two spots, you have a guy that can start every extra inning game on 3rd base with no outs and can score on any fly ball. This is also true if you get a runner on second or third in the 8th-9th inning in a tie game or down by a run. It is very niche, but it could literally be a difference of 4-6 games over the course of a season. That is a WAR of 4-6 by virtue of the fact the alternative is not having that person at all.

Alternatively, maybe you have a pitcher that gets lit up against righties, but is unhittable against lefties. Again, not versatile enough to take a bullpen spot on alot of clubs, but with one extra roster spot, you have a lefty closer that you can put into any game.

That flexibility has tremendous value to alot of teams (especially a team managed well - not necessarily one that can't make September interesting with two players that may go down as all time greats). It is not just the ability to bring in a 4th string middle infielder off the waiver wire to keep the Gatorade and sunflower seeds stocked on the bench.

[D. Bergin]

Check out the pitcher and catchers reaction to #59.



https://www.mlb.com/video/aaron-judg...t-center-field

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

Check out the pitcher and catchers reaction to #59.



https://www.mlb.com/video/aaron-judg...t-center-field

And now he is hitting .316 just a little outside the triple crown.

Amazing and will be an interesting end of season run

[Shoeless Moe]

60

tied Ruth

next up Maris

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by Shoeless Moe

60

tied Ruth

next up Maris

And as of this morning leading for the triple crown. Batting now #1 at .317

[G1911]

Originally Posted by Shoeless Moe

And you think Ohtani sniffs Judge this season, you should be shot!......or thrown down a flight of stairs.........or at least be egged by a bunch of neighborhood kids.

It’s terribly tragic, encountering other views.

[mrreality68]

Ohtani has been amazing all season and he is highly valuable for his pitching and hitting both at such high levels.

Still Judge all the way however it would have been interesting if Los Angeles Angels were in first place how the conversation might go.

But as it is Still Judge

[Shoeless Moe]

Ohtani is a step above Rick Ankiel

[mikemb]

Without Judge the Yankees would not be in first place and may not even make the playoffs.

With him they are in first place and will be playing in the post season.

Without Obtani the Angels would be spending October playing golf.

With Obtani the Angels will be spending October playing golf.

Obtani is a good player but no MVP this year.

Mike

[Shoeless Moe]

58, 59........

[D. Bergin]

4 for 5 with 2 HR's, a Double and a Walk.

I didn't think he had a chance in hell a month ago, but he's played his way into legitimate contention for the Batting title and a Triple Crown attempt.

Yankees bullpen still doing their best to try and blow a comfortable lead in the 9th inning though.