In a thrilling debate over who had the better season in Major League Baseball, MLB Network’s Jon Morosi evaluated the extraordinary performances of Shohei Ohtani from the Los Angeles Dodgers and Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees.
Both players enjoyed stellar seasons, prompting fans and analysts alike to ponder who truly stands out.
Morosi began by acknowledging Ohtani’s impressive statistics, noting that while he didn’t pitch in 2024, he achieved a remarkable 50-50 season, boasting both home runs and stolen bases. “Incredible is an understatement,” he stated, emphasizing Ohtani’s unique contributions to the Dodgers.
On the other hand, Judge’s performance was characterized by his league-leading numbers, including 58 home runs, 144 RBIs, 133 walks, a .458 on-base percentage, a .701 slugging percentage, and an OPS of 1.159. Morosi remarked:
“With Judge, it’s one of the best pure all-around seasons by any offensive player in the history of the game, comfortably if you look at the metrics, top 10 ever.”
He added that Judge’s improved swing-and-miss rate has made him an even more formidable player, enhancing his potential impact in the upcoming postseason.
However, Morosi noted that Judge’s defensive presence gives him an edge, stating:
“I would give the slight edge to Judge… because [Aaron] Judge is playing in the field for all nine innings and a physically commanding position.” Nonetheless, he acknowledged that Ohtani’s dual-threat capability remains unparalleled, remarking, “But 50-50, my goodness, you can’t get any better than that.”
Ultimately, Morosi suggested that the decision may hinge on postseason performance, as Ohtani is set to make his October debut in the National League Division Series while Judge aims to lead his team to glory after missing the playoffs in 2023.
Both players are still on the hunt for their first World Series title, heightening the excitement surrounding their potential matchups in the playoffs.
