Aaron Judge has spent much of his career redefining what it means to be a New York Yankee. Now, at 33, he’s joined one of the most exclusive clubs in franchise history.
The Yankees’ captain earned his fifth Silver Slugger Award following another remarkable season at the plate, a feat that ties him with legends Derek Jeter, Robinson Canó, Jorge Posada, and Dave Winfield for the most in team history.
It was a fitting acknowledgment for a player who once again stood head and shoulders above the competition. Judge led Major League Baseball in batting average (.331), on-base percentage (.457), and slugging (.688), while blasting 53 home runs and driving in 114 RBIs.
His offensive dominance powered the Yankees to one of the best hitting seasons in franchise history, even if the team ultimately fell short of its World Series ambitions.
Judge, who has now won four Silver Sluggers in the past five years, remains the benchmark for consistency and power in the modern game.
MLB.com described his 2025 campaign as “historic,” noting how he became the first Yankee since Bernie Williams to win a batting title while simultaneously leading the majors in several offensive categories.
A season of dominance for both Judge and the Yankees
While Judge was the centerpiece, the Yankees’ offense as a whole was nothing short of exceptional.
The team led the American League in runs scored (849), home runs (274), slugging percentage (.455), OPS (.787), and total bases (2,488). That collective firepower earned the Yankees the AL Silver Slugger Team Award for the second consecutive year.
Jazz Chisholm Jr., in his first full season in pinstripes, also took home his first individual Silver Slugger after a breakout campaign at second base.
The 27-year-old posted a .289 average with 31 home runs and 31 stolen bases, showcasing the kind of athleticism that made him one of the most dynamic players in the league.
The Silver Slugger, awarded to the best offensive players at each position in both leagues, is voted on by MLB managers and coaches. Judge’s fifth honor ties him with some of the greatest hitters to ever wear a Yankees uniform, players who defined entire eras of Bronx baseball.
Cementing his legacy among Yankees icons
Judge‘s sustained excellence has elevated him beyond simple comparisons. His fifth Silver Slugger marks another milestone in a career that already includes an MVP award, a home run record, and multiple postseason runs as captain of baseball’s most storied franchise.
Since debuting in 2016, Judge has become the face of not only the Yankees but of modern power hitting. His combination of patience and explosiveness has made him a nightmare for opposing pitchers and a cornerstone for the franchise’s success.
“I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, Aaron’s the best hitter in the game,” teammate Gerrit Cole said earlier this season. “What he’s done year after year isn’t normal. He’s rewriting the standard.”
Judge‘s fifth Silver Slugger not only confirms his place among Yankee royalty but also highlights his rare ability to evolve.
Despite dealing with injuries earlier in his career, he’s adjusted his swing mechanics and approach to become even more efficient, a sign of a player thinking about legacy as much as longevity.
Even as the Dodgers claimed their second straight World Series title, Judge’s dominance kept him firmly in the AL MVP conversation.
Should he claim that award later this month, it would be his second in as many years, and another piece of hardware in what’s already shaping up to be a Hall of Fame résumé.
With a lineup that’s both deep and dynamic, the Yankees appear poised to remain contenders. But as long as Aaron Judge keeps swinging the way he does, New York will continue to be defined by the same word that has followed him since his first day in pinstripes, power.
And in joining Jeter, Posada, Cano, and Winfield with five Silver Sluggers, Judge has ensured that his name will forever belong among the most revered in Yankee history.
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