The Bronx Bombers are blasting, but some folks outside the five boroughs apparently haven't been checking the scoreboard. Yankees sluggers Aaron Judge and Ben Rice are putting up numbers that scream "historic," yet somehow, they're getting less respect than a comedian at a tough open mic night.
Why are Aaron Judge and Ben Rice Being Undervalued in MLB Rankings?
Let's talk about the recent MLB.com Hitter Power Rankings. Aaron Judge, a man who has redefined "slugger," plummeted from the top spot to a baffling seventh place. The reasoning? A "cool down" with "just" one homer in 14 games and his OPS dipping from an otherworldly 1.035 to a mere .949.
Why This Buzz: "Cooled down" for Aaron Judge still means being tied for fourth in the majors with 17 home runs, eighth in slugging percentage (.554), and ninth in OPS (.934). To put that in perspective, many players would kill for a "slump" like Judge's current run. While he might not be as scorching hot as some recent breakout stars, a cumulative ranking should reflect his consistent dominance. Dropping him to seventh feels less like an accurate assessment and more like recency bias with a side of short-term memory loss.
The Ben Rice Snub: Overlooking a Dominant Rookie Season
Then there's Ben Rice. The name might not be as universally recognized as Judge's, but his performance absolutely should be. Despite receiving votes, Rice was conspicuously absent from the power rankings altogether. This isn't just an oversight; it's a glaring omission.
Why This Matters: Rice, even with a "cool-down" May that saw him hit .247 with six dingers, boasts a staggering 1.006 OPS – the second-best in the majors. He also ranks sixth overall with 16 home runs. To leave a player with these elite numbers off a list of top hitters is to ignore objective performance data entirely. It's not just about a few hot games; Rice is consistently performing at an elite level, putting him in a class well above many on that list.
Chasing History: Can Two Yankees Hit 50 Home Runs in One Season?
Here's where the narrative shifts from mere rankings to monumental baseball history. ESPN projects Aaron Judge to smash 49 homers this year, with Ben Rice right behind him, projected for 46. Why is this significant? Because it puts them within shouting distance of becoming only the second pair of teammates in MLB history to hit 50 home runs in the same season.
The only other duo to achieve this legendary feat was the iconic 1961 Yankees pairing of Roger Maris (61) and Mickey Mantle (54). That's right – we're talking about potentially recreating a nearly impossible, once-in-a-lifetime offensive explosion from more than six decades ago. To overlook the players spearheading such a chase isn't just a slight; it's a failure to recognize the potential for a truly historic baseball season unfolding before our eyes.
Aaron Judge's Personal Pursuit of MLB Records and Greatness
Beyond the duo's historic potential, Aaron Judge is also chasing individual immortality that would etch his name even deeper into the record books. If the 34-year-old slugger hits 50 home runs this season, he'll achieve something even the legendary Babe Ruth never managed: three consecutive seasons with at least 50 dingers.
Furthermore, Judge is already one of only four players (alongside Ruth, Mark McGwire, and Sammy Sosa) to hit 50+ homers in four separate seasons. Should he reach 50 again this year, he would become the first player in MLB history to accomplish this feat five times.
The WhyThisBuzz Takeaway: These aren't just "good" seasons; Judge and Rice are crafting career-defining, record-shattering performances. Their current "slumps" are simply blips on the radar of what could be a truly unforgettable year for the New York Yankees and for baseball history itself. To diminish their achievements in power rankings isn't just unfair; it's a disservice to the incredible level of play they're demonstrating. Keep your eyes on the Bronx – history is brewing, and these powerhouses aren't cooling down anytime soon.
