Yankees' Aaron Judge and Ben Rice: Disrespected in MLB Power Rankings?

Why this matters: These rankings influence player perception, potential endorsements, and overall team morale. Overlooking strong performers can create unnecessary controversies and undervalue significant contributions.

Judge's Performance

Aaron Judge, a key player for the Yankees, has experienced a slight dip in form during May, hitting .253 with five home runs. Despite this, his overall stats remain impressive, tying for fourth in the majors with 17 home runs. According to MLB.com's Jason Foster, Judge's OPS dropped from 1.035 to .949, impacting his ranking. However, Foster suggests this is a temporary blip, and Judge is likely to rebound.

Rice's Impact

Ben Rice, another significant Yankees slugger, was omitted from the MLB.com's Hitter Power Rankings despite an outstanding 1.006 OPS, which is second-best in the majors. His 16 home runs further solidify his position as a top performer. ESPN projects Rice to hit 46 home runs this season, underscoring his potential impact.

Historical Context

If Judge reaches 50 home runs this season, he will join Babe Ruth, Mark McGwire, and Sammy Sosa as the only players to achieve this feat in four seasons. Moreover, he could become the first player in MLB history to hit at least 50 home runs in five different seasons, surpassing even Babe Ruth's record.

Power Ranking Discrepancies

CC Sabathia noted that the Yankees are the only AL team in the top five of the power rankings, emphasizing the team's overall strength despite individual ranking controversies. This raises questions about the criteria and potential biases within the rankings.

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Why are Aaron Judge and Ben Rice considered disrespected in the power rankings?

Despite strong home run and OPS numbers, both players have been either ranked lower than expected or omitted from MLB.com's Hitter Power Rankings.

What are Judge's stats for this season?

Judge is tied for fourth in the majors with 17 home runs, eighth in slugging percentage (.554), and ninth in OPS (.934).

How does Ben Rice rank in OPS?

Ben Rice has a 1.006 OPS, which is second-best in the majors.

What historical achievement is Judge chasing?

Judge is aiming to become the first player in MLB history to hit at least 50 home runs in five different seasons.

Do you think Judge and Rice are being unfairly judged in the power rankings? Share your thoughts and predictions below! Share this article with others who need to stay ahead of this trend!