As the MLB season barrels into its second half, the league’s stars are rewriting the history books. They’re chasing records at a pace that feels almost unreal.
Aaron Judge’s historic offensive tear, Cal Raleigh’s home-run barrage, and even the Colorado Rockies’ struggles—2023 is shaping up to be a wild ride. Let’s break down the biggest storylines, record chases, and statistical feats defining this season. What could fans even expect in the coming months? That’s anyone’s guess, but here’s what’s going down so far.
Aaron Judge’s Offensive Masterclass
Aaron Judge is putting together one of the most memorable offensive campaigns in recent memory. With a huge .355 batting average and leading the majors in almost every major offensive category, he’s become a force for the New York Yankees.
Judge leads the league in total bases (258) and all three slash line categories. He sits second in home runs (35) and RBIs (81).
Chasing the Triple Crown
He’s on pace for 59 home runs and an eye-popping 435 total bases. That would put him among the game’s all-time greats.
Judge has a real shot at the Triple Crown—leading the league in batting average, home runs, and RBIs. If he pulls it off, it’d be another jaw-dropping feat on his already glittering résumé.
Cal Raleigh’s Record-Breaking Power
On the other end of the home-run leaderboard, Cal Raleigh is making noise. The Mariners catcher has already swatted 38 round-trippers and could hit 65 by season’s end.
That would shatter the AL single-season record and set new marks for both catchers and switch-hitters. It’s not something you see every year—heck, maybe ever.
A Season of Power Proliferation
This year, home runs are flying out of parks at a ridiculous rate. A record-breaking five players—Raleigh, Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Eugenio Suarez, and Kyle Schwarber—are all on pace to crush 50 or more home runs.
With this barrage of hitting, it’s clear the long ball is still king. Can pitchers keep up? If you ask me, it’s looking unlikely.
The 40/40 Chase: A Rare Feat in the Making
This season, some players are threatening to join the 40/40 club—just four players in history have managed 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in the same year. Pete Crow-Armstrong stands out here, on pace for an incredible 42 homers and 46 stolen bases.
That’s the kind of stat line that gets people talking for decades. Will he actually do it? We’ll see.
The Rockies’ Historically Poor Season
While stars grab the headlines, the Colorado Rockies are making history for all the wrong reasons. With a 22-74 record, they’re on pace for a brutal 37-125 season.
If it holds, that’d be the most losses and the lowest winning percentage in MLB history. The team’s looking ahead to rebuild, but this year might go down as one of baseball’s darkest chapters.
Major Milestones on the Horizon
Several MLB superstars are closing in on big career achievements:
- Mike Trout: Nearly at 400 career home runs, which puts him among the greats.
- Bryce Harper: Just a few swings away from 350 career home runs.
- Shohei Ohtani: The two-way phenom is about to notch his 1,000th MLB hit.
- Freddie Freeman: He’s inching closer to the top 100 in career runs, RBIs, doubles, walks, and times on base.
- Justin Verlander: Despite an 0-7 record, Verlander is within reach of 3,500 career strikeouts—a mark just nine pitchers have ever hit.
Tarik Skubal’s Quest for Pitching Perfection
On the mound, Tarik Skubal has a shot at something no qualified pitcher’s done before. He could lead the majors in both strikeouts per nine innings and walks per nine innings.
If Skubal pulls this off, it might change how we all talk about pitcher effectiveness. That’s a pretty wild thought, honestly.
Final Thoughts
Aaron Judge is chasing the Triple Crown while Cal Raleigh keeps smashing home runs. The Rockies keep struggling, and a few of MLB’s brightest stars are closing in on big milestones.
The playoffs are inching closer. Every stat line seems to carry some kind of historic weight these days.
If you love records, or just want the drama, this season’s giving us unforgettable moments. Sometimes it’s hard not to wonder what’ll happen next with every pitch.
Here is the source article for this story: Aaron Judge, Cal Raleigh and History: MLB’s 2nd-Half Milestone Watch Begins Now
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