Aaron Judge named 2022 Players Choice Player of the Year and AL Outstanding Player of the Year
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Aaron Judge named 2022 Players Choice Player of the Year and AL Outstanding Player of the Year, as free agency looms for Yankees slugger to try to keep New York after historic 62 home run season
- Aaron Judge was honored by his peers on Friday after his amazing season
- The outfielder set the AL season record for home runs, breaking Roger Maris .’s record
- He also has a good chance of winning the AL MVP at the end of this season
- But he is about to enter free agency and his future in New York is uncertain
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After a historic regular season, Aaron Judge was recognized Friday by his peers as the 2022 Players Choice Player of the Year, as well as the AL Outstanding Player of the Year.
Judge hit an all-time AL-record 62 home runs for New York this season, beating Roger Maris’ previous record of 61 that he had set 61 years earlier.
“I want to thank all my teammates and opponents who voted for me,” Judge said in a video tweeted by the MLB Players’ Association.
Aaron Judge was recognized by his peers on Friday for his historic 2022 regular season
Aaron Judge broke Roger Maris’ 61-year record with his fantastic game for the Yankees
“I don’t think there’s a greater reward or sense of accomplishment than hearing it from your colleagues.”
With his historic home run count, .311 batting average and 131 RBI, Judge has a good chance of becoming the AL MVP at the end of the season.
His main competitor for that award is the Angels’ Shohei Ohtani, who hit 34 homeruns of his own and threw a 2.33 ERA.
However, Judge is a firm favorite to take home the award.
The outfielder was also congratulated by opponents in the MLBPA video, including Astros ace Justin Verlander
“What an incredible season,” he said. Obviously it’s hard here in New York, you’ve got the brightest lights and all the pressure [of] the world on you.
“And to go out and have that kind of success is just remarkable.”
Judge hit 62 home runs for the Yankees this season, but struggled in the playoffs for New York
With Judge set to move to Free Agency at the end of the season, it remains uncertain whether or not he will remain a Yankee.
General manager Brian Cashman and manager Aaron Boone have both expressed a desire to bring the slugger back, although he could Reportedly get a contract north of $300 million.
With the price so high, there’s no guarantee Judge will be back in New York next season, and the Dodgers or Giants could reportedly be the team to pry the star out of the Bronx.