New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge set an American League record with 62 home runs last season.
New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge made American League history last season, hitting 62 home runs – the most in the AL since Roger Maris hit 61 for the Yankees in 1961.
In fact, Judge’s 62 dingers were the most in Major League Baseball since Barry Bonds set the single-season record of 73 in 2001.
Judge hit 16 more home runs than runner-up Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies, and 22 more than the next-closest American League player, Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels.
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As the 2023 season approaches with Opening Day slated for March 30, can Judge lead the majors once again in the long-ball department?
The odds of him doing so are +550, according to DraftKings. Trout is right behind him in the odds for most home runs at +800.
Judge has his work cut out for him if he wants to win back-to-back home run titles, as it’s been 12 years since the feat has been accomplished.
The last player to lead MLB in HRs in consecutive years was Jose Bautista in 2010 and 2011 when he hit 54 and 43, respectively, for the Toronto Blue Jays. He was also the last player to lead the AL in back-to-back seasons.
For players who have hit 60 or more home runs in a season, the next year saw a decent decline.
According to the New York Times, in the eight seasons following a 60-plus home run effort, the average dip in dingers has been 16.3.
After Mark McGwire hit 65 homers in 1999, he hit just 32 in 2000. McGwire was also dealing with health issues that season.
Maris hit 28 less home runs in 1962, the year after hitting 61. Bonds hit 46 in 2002, 27 less than his MLB record the previous season.
When Judge last led the AL in home runs in 2017 with 52, he hit 27 the following season, but only played in 112 games, which was 43 less games and 129 less at-bats.
FrontPageBets takes a look at the odds-on favorites to lead Major League Baseball in HRs in the 2023 season.
(All odds are courtesy of DraftKings and are subject to change)
Aaron Judge, New York Yankees +550
Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels +800
Pete Alonso, New York Mets +900
Yordan Alvarez, Houston Astros +1000
Austin Riley, Atlanta Braves +1300
Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels +1500
Matt Olson, Atlanta Braves +1800
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