The early 2000s, fueled by steroids, saw a new level of offensive dominance in baseball. Superstars like Sammy Sosa,Rafael Palmeiro, Mark McGwire, and most notably, Barry Bonds, captured the hearts of fans with their incredible power hitting.

Bonds, a Case Study in Duality

Arguably the best natural talent of his generation, Bonds’ legacy is forever tainted by his use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). Regardless, his statistics are undeniable. In nearly 3,000 games and over 20 years, Bonds crushed both the single-season (73) and all-time home run record (762). He also holds the record for walks (2,558) and intentional walks (688), with nearly 3,000 hits and an average of 30 stolen bases per season. He even holds the record for most MVP awards (7). A true “five-tool player,” Bonds’ impact on the game is undeniable, even if the Hall of Fame overlooks him.

To put his dominance in perspective, Bonds’ 162.8 WAR ranks second only to Babe Ruth’s 182.6 WAR among hitters.Excluding pitchers, Bonds becomes the #1 offensive player by WAR. However, his use of PEDs forever clouds his claim to the absolute best.

The Steroid Era and its Aftermath

The Steroid Era (1993-2002) saw a staggering average of 4,782 homers per season, a staggering 233 more than the Post-Steroid Era (4,549). After its abolishment, many wondered if baseball would ever see another power hitter as electric as Bonds.

Enter Aaron Judge: A New Hope

In 2017, a young prospect named Aaron Judge took Major League Baseball by storm. Judge’s seemingly out-of-nowhere production was impressive. Coming off a season with never more than 17 home runs, he erupted in 2017 with a league-leading 52 bombs, earning a unanimous AL Rookie of the Year award and finishing second in the MVP race to Jose Altuve. With 52 home runs, 114 RBIs, and 127 walks, it seemed Judge was on track to provide a level of production unseen since the steroid era. However, injuries plagued him in subsequent seasons, preventing consistent 50+ home run campaigns.

Judge Takes the Crown

Flash forward to the 2022 season. Healthy and focused, Judge surpassed expectations. He shattered the all-time AL home run record with a staggering 62 home runs. Ironically, it took the American League 61 years to break the record previously held by another Yankee, Roger Maris. Judge also secured his first (and arguably overdue) MVP award,solidifying himself as one of the best power hitters of the 21st century.

A Modern Day Powerhouse

Judge’s monstrous 2022 season, with 62 home runs, cemented him as the best power hitter since his debut in 2017. He finished the year with a stat line of .425/.686/1.111 for an OPS+ of 210. This performance effectively combined the production of two average players. He joins a prestigious list with Barry Bonds as the only two players to achieve an OPS+ above 200 for a full season. He narrowly missed a triple crown, losing the batting title to Luis Arraez by a mere five points (.316 to .311).

Putting his power into further perspective, Judge ranks second in most home runs per at-bat with at least 1,000 career at-bats, trailing only Mark McGwire (10.61) with his own impressive 11.52. He’s an elite player who electrifies New York City with his brilliant performances.

Judge’s Importance to the Yankees

Aaron Judge is the heart and soul of the Yankees’ lineup. Without him, their offense struggles mightily. This was evident in 2023 when he endured an “off” year by his standards, posting a stat line of .267/.406/.613/1.019 for an OPS+ of 174.An injury limited him to only 106 games that season, following the signing of his massive $360 million contract for nine years. Despite the shortened season, Judge still managed 37 home runs in 106 games, putting him on pace for another 55+ home run season. While his individual numbers suffered, the Yankees’ record