If nothing else, it has the two most impactful hitters in the game.
If you pull up a leaderboard by hitters with over 150 PA, the top two hitters by wRC+ are Aaron Judge (215) and Ronald Acuna, Jr. (186).
In the 2000s, there are 4 seasons better than Judge’s current pace – 2002 Barry Bonds (244), 2001 Barry Bonds (235), 2004 Barry Bonds (233), and 2024 Aaron Judge (220). Barry Bonds has another season right below Judge’s current season, and Judge’s 2022 is right below that. I know that we all have opinions about Bonds, but those are some elite seasons. Ronnie’s would tie for 14th, in case you were curious.
Ronnie’s Statcast
Judge’s Statcast
It’s mildly funny that both of these guys apparently never square the ball up. But it’s pretty clear the damage they do when they do square one up (and even when they may not).
I had Judge in a fantasy league, and his contract still had next season guaranteed. But I went ahead and traded him in the most testing of the baseball gods of ways. I got what I would consider a pretty good haul, but given that I’m in contention for the playoffs (in a weak division, which is why I did it), my hubris may eventually get the best of me.