The New York Yankees are eyeing the 2026 World Series with optimism, and a big part of that hope rests on the shoulders of Aaron Judge. Fresh off leading Team USA to the World Baseball Classic finals, Judge is entering the MLB season with momentum that could very well translate into another MVP-caliber year.
While the buzz around Judge is electric, some predictions for his 2026 season might be reaching for the stars. ESPN's David Schoenfield has floated the idea of Judge achieving a Triple Crown and smashing 63 home runs. Let’s break down why these expectations, while thrilling, might not be grounded in reality.
The prospect of Judge hitting 63 home runs and clinching the Triple Crown would indeed mark one of the most remarkable seasons in MLB history. However, even for a player of Judge's caliber, these goals are a tall order. Last season, Judge hit 53 homers, and while he led MLB with a .331 batting average, his 114 RBIs didn't top the American League charts.
Since 1967, the Triple Crown has been an elusive achievement, with Miguel Cabrera being the only player to accomplish it. Judge has shown he can lead in all three categories at different points in his career. He topped the RBI charts in 2022 and 2024, led in batting average last season, and was the home run leader in 2017, 2022, and 2024.
While Judge has the potential for a Triple Crown season, pairing it with 63 home runs might be overly ambitious. He's undeniably one of the greatest right-handed hitters in the game and is building a legendary career, but expecting him to deliver such a perfect season might be setting the bar a bit too high.
In the end, Judge remains a standout player with the potential to surprise us all. But as Schoenfield suggests, while dreaming big is part of the fun, it's important to stay grounded in what’s realistically achievable. Judge's talent is undeniable, but even for him, a season like this might be a stretch.