Barry Bonds' peak performance fell short of a .400 batting average, underlining the significant challenge it poses for all players.
In the realm of baseball, only a select few can claim the coveted title of hitting .400, and one of the last to do so in the American League was the legendary Ted Williams. Some might compare the current star, Aaron Judge, to Williams, but there's a prominent difference that makes a .400 repeat unlikely – the strikeout column.
Judge, with an astounding .423 batting average through 34 games, is setting the major leagues ablaze with a 74-point lead over teammate Paul Goldschmidt. He boasts an OPS of 1.287, matching Williams' finish from when he hit .406 in 1941. Judge currently knocks one homer for every 11.82 at-bats, bettering Williams' 1941 average of a homer per 12.32 at-bats.
However, Judge's prowess in striking out is staggering – he's already racked up 31 strikes against a dismal 27 by Williams in '41. Judge strikes out in a troubling 20.3% of his plate appearances, with only Manny Ramirez, hitting .351 in 2000, managing to achieve similar feats in the live ball era.
Yet, Judge's strengths and weaknesses provide a fascinating blueprint for aspiring .400 hitters. To make it happen, here are four essential steps to follow:
- Shrink the sample size:
Size matters in the pursuit of .400 – it's no coincidence that all of the great .400 hitters played in eras with fewer games. Smaller samples generate more intense stats, and since Williams hit .406 in 1941 while playing only 143 games, reducing the sample size is a viable strategy.
- Make contact:
With a high strikeout rate, Judge needs to hit .500 on the non-strikeout pitches to reach .400 overall. Right now, Judge is crushing it at 55 for 99 without striking out, but that's likely unsustainable for the long haul.
- Ride a BABIP heater:
There's an element of luck that comes with a player's batting average on balls in play (BABIP). But line drives are preferable to pop-ups, and speedy players can turn grounders into infield hits that boost BABIP. George Sisler, who boasted a BABIP of .422 in 1922 when he hit .420, understood this trick.
- Hit homers:
With overall BABIP at a paltry .288 in today's game, homers can help you avoid outs. When Rod Carew hit .388 in 1977, his BABIP was .408, but it was also the year he tied his career high with 14 home runs.
Achieving a .400 average requires a delicate blend of power, contact, plate discipline, speed, and adaptability, all while staying healthy and durable. While Aaron Judge's numbers are impressive this season, they may fall short in the history books when it comes to achieving the magical .400 benchmark.
In the world of baseball, Aaron Judge's performance in Toronto's sports scene has drawn comparisons to the legendary Ted Williams, but his high strikeout rate could hinder his chances of accomplishing a .400 average – a feat last done by Williams in the major leagues.
To reach the coveted .400 mark, Judge might consider strategies employed by past .400 hitters like shrinking the sample size, such as focusing on fewer games or season stretches; improving contact to limit strikeouts and boost performance on non-strikeout pitches; relying on a BABIP heater by producing more line drives and taking advantage of speed; and incorporating more home runs to increase opportunities for hits and reduce the importance of BABIP.
