Yankees’ Aaron Judge becomes quickest player to hit 300 career home runs

CHICAGO — Now and then, New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone allows himself to soak up the reality of having one of the best vantage points in all of baseball, standing on the top step of the dugout as Aaron Judge approaches the batters’ box.

“I try to remind myself what I’m getting to watch over there every day, with what he’s been able to do and just the player and the hitter that he’s become,” Boone said on Sunday. “It’s remarkable.”

Boone watched from the visitors’ dugout on Wednesday as Judge hit his 300th career home run off Chicago White Sox reliever Chad Kuhl, on a 361-foot shot to left field in the eighth inning. Judge became the quickest player to reach 300 career home runs, doing so in 955 games and eclipsing Ralph Kiner’s mark of 1,087 games. He also did it in the fewest number of at-bats, achieving the task in 3,431. It took the previous record holder, Babe Ruth, 3,830 at-bats to get there.

Judge’s home run gives him 43 on the season, putting him on pace for 58 home runs and placing him in striking distance of surpassing his American League single-season record of 62 home runs set in 2022. Even if Judge doesn’t reach 62, he is compiling a better overall season this year than in 2022. He has a higher batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and strikeout percentage compared to his 2022 season. Historically speaking, Judge’s current wRC+ would give him the fourth-best offensive season since 1957; only Barry Bonds’ 2001, 2002 and 2004 seasons are better. While Judge and Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. are battling over the top of the fWAR leaderboard, putting up one of the greatest offensive seasons ever should make Judge the favorite to win his second American League MVP award.

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“It’s incredible. He does something special every night,” teammate Giancarlo Stanton said of Judge. “Being able to see most of his career so far — besides one year — it’s been fun to watch the evolution.

The 32-year-old Judge is the 13th active player to reach 300 home runs; Stanton tops that list with 422. Next on the active leaderboard for Judge is his teammate and close friend Anthony Rizzo, who has 303 home runs.

For his career, Judge is averaging 51 home runs per 162 games. If he maintains this pace, Judge would reach 500 career home runs in his age-36 season. While Stanton is closing in on 500, his inability to stay healthy may leave him just short of the milestone. Given Judge’s age and his status as the most prolific power hitter since Bonds, he could be the next active player to join the 500 home run club.

“He’s got more in store,” Stanton said.

(Photo: Rob Tringali / MLB Photos via Getty Images)