The New York Yankees captain, Aaron Judge, has already cemented himself as one of the premier sluggers of his generation, but 2025 has added a new wrinkle to his legacy. The Athletic reports that the Yankees star is set to capture his first American League batting title. If he finishes the season strong, Judge will also become the tallest player in MLB history to win a batting crown.
At 6-foot-7, Judge towers over every past champion. No player taller than 6-foot-5 has ever taken the honor. That list includes Dave Parker, John Olerud, Frank Thomas, Derrek Lee, and Joe Mauer. Judge now looks ready to raise the bar—literally—higher than anyone before him.
A Historic Lead in the Race
Heading into the weekend, Judge carried a commanding advantage. He posted a .330 average, well ahead of Athletics rookie Jacob Wilson’s .313. The 17-point difference between first and second equaled the margin separating Wilson from seventh place. With just two games left on the Yankees’ schedule, Judge’s march toward history looks nearly certain.
Few hitters ever reach this level, but the feat grows even more impressive given his stature. Larger players deal with bigger strike zones, leaving them exposed to tough pitches and inconsistent calls. Judge has spent years frustrated by low strikes that should have been balls. Yet he overcame that challenge through elite preparation and unmatched discipline.
Teammates credit Judge’s tireless work ethic and study habits. He pores over video and scouting reports, even between at-bats. Yankees ace Gerrit Cole calls his plate discipline “elite,” while manager Aaron Boone notes how rare it is for someone so tall to refine their approach to this degree.
Growth Into a Complete Hitter
Judge credits time and experience for his evolution. Since debuting in 2016, he has adjusted each season, learning from new pitchers and strategies that attempt to exploit his strike zone. That maturity allowed him to find consistency at the plate, balancing his trademark power with the ability to hit for average.
He nearly won the batting title in 2022, finishing second with a .311 average. In 2023, he posted .322, good enough for third. This year, he has converted those close calls into a breakthrough season.
Judge continues to pair contact with power. He ranks second in the AL with 52 home runs, trailing only Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh’s 60. He leads MLB in on-base percentage (.458), slugging percentage (.687), and OPS (1.145). His all-around dominance places him squarely in the MVP race yet again.
Despite a 34.7 percent swing-and-miss rate this season, Judge maintains his average with patience. He draws walks at an elite rate, turning strikeouts into an acceptable tradeoff for his overall production. That mix of patience and power has made him one of the game’s most complete hitters.
If Judge secures the batting crown, he will mark a milestone years in the making. The honor will not erase the bad calls or the challenges that come with his size, but it will spotlight how rare his success truly is. The Yankees drafted him, hoping for a cornerstone. They landed a generational hitter redefining expectations for players of his stature.
When the season ends, Aaron Judge may not only be the tallest batting champion in MLB history—he may also be the most improbable.
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