Recently, I attended the Phillies-Yankees game at Citizens Bank Park, driven by the opportunity to see Juan Soto and Aaron Judge, who are both in the midst of remarkable seasons.
These two sluggers are dominating the league, ranking first and third in WAR, leading in walk rate, wRC+, and on-base percentage, among other key statistics. Their offensive prowess is clear, with Soto and Judge also placing near the top in traditional stats like batting average, runs scored, and RBIs.
Back in December, I anticipated this kind of offensive explosion from Soto and Judge, predicting Soto would score a staggering number of runs hitting ahead of Judge. While he may not reach the impossible “bajillion” runs, Soto’s projected total of 132 runs would still be one of the highest in recent memory.
During the game, both players delivered performances worth every penny of the ticket price. Soto went 3-for-5, contributing two doubles, two runs, and three RBIs. Judge, equally impressive, went 2-for-5 with two home runs and three RBIs. The Yankees overwhelmed Phillies’ ace Zack Wheeler and dismantled the bullpen, cruising to a 14-4 victory.
However, the rest of the Yankees’ lineup has struggled, showing a stark contrast to Soto and Judge’s extraordinary output. The team’s offense, when excluding these two stars, resembles that of a middling team, with low on-base percentages and slugging percentages across the board. Yet, with Soto and Judge leading the charge, the Yankees boast the league’s best offense by runs scored and wRC+, which explains their sweep of the Phillies and their position in a tight race for the American League’s top seed.
This season, the Yankees’ reliance on their two superstars is evident, with Judge and Soto accounting for nearly 39% of the team’s weighted runs created (wRC). This level of dependence on two players is historically significant. Since 2000, no team has relied so heavily on a duo, with only a handful of teams even coming close to the 35% threshold.
The Yankees’ projected wRC total for Judge and Soto would make them the most productive duo of the 21st century, surpassing even the legendary pairs of Barry Bonds with his various co-stars in the early 2000s.
In essence, while the Yankees’ overall lineup might lack depth, the historic contributions of Soto and Judge are propelling them to success, making their offense one of the most potent in recent memory. Their performance this season is not just impressive—it’s rewriting the record books.
