It's better than when you hit 62 home runs? Judge "This year is a career high", it's a shame that Ohtani can't go head-to-head with MVP
Aug 13, 2024
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Judge, who is leading each category, including home runs, with a fierce batting sense in the second half of the year, is certain to become MVP for the second time in his life after 2022. In fact, it is safe to say that it is confirmed.
As of the 12th (Korea time), Judge ranks first in the National League as well as the AL in six major categories, including home runs (42), RBIs (106), on-base percentage (0.462), slugging percentage (0.699), OPS (1.160), and Ruta (290). His batting average (0.328) is second to that of the Kansas City Royals, Bobby Witt Jr. (0.347). If he catches up with Witt Jr., he will achieve his first triple crown in 12 years since the Detroit Tigers Miguel Cabrera in 2012.
Some say Judge's performance or condition is better than in 2022, when he hit 62 home runs, the most in an AL season. That year, he ranked first in both RBIs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS Ruta, and scoring in the league as well as home runs. His batting average (0.311) was second in the AL.
In fact, it is difficult to directly compare Judge's batting condition this season and two years ago. However, Judge draws attention by saying that he thinks this season is better.
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Judge thinks that the opponent's head-to-head game has become much more frequent, especially thanks to hitting behind Juan Soto, who became a teammate through a trade last winter. Soto's presence also plays a role in the power and sophistication of Judge's swing compared to 2022.
Judge made his major league debut in 2016 and gained experience by playing 27 games, before hitting 52 home runs in 2017 to become the AL Rookie of the Year. But at the time, Judge's swing was 'all or nothing'. He was No. 1 in the AL with 127 walks, but he also had 208 strikeouts, the most among all batters.
This season, Judge ranks first overall in walks (98). However, the number of strikeouts is only 127, the 18th largest among hitters in both leagues. The strikeout rate of 24.3 percent is a lifetime low. It is lower than the 25.1% in 2022 when it was previously 'Careerro'. The walk rate is steady at 16.0% in 2022, 19.2% last year, and 18.7% this year. If he maintains his current pace, he can record 133 walks this year. It is well above the 2017 figure.
Judge said "Pitchers try to throw balls that are hard to hit at me. Aim for the corner of the strike zone. He tries to avoid those balls as much as possible. It's been the biggest challenge for me since my minor league days. Not only did he hit a lot of balls through the home plate, but he also swung a slider and a changeup that fell low. "But over time, I repaired and narrowed my strike zone. There is a certain zone I like. Such a sector is doing well this year."
Asked if he could win his second MVP this year, Judge said, `Last year I tried to do better than in 2022, but I fell short because of a toe injury. I try to get better every year. I hope we can continue to talk about this in the future," he replied in a roundabout way.
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Ohtani moved to the NL LA Dodgers this year, and there is no direct MVP competition with Judge. In the current situation, the MVP of both leagues is AL Judge and NL Otani.
jhno@sportschosun.com
