Judge likely to be named ROY
Aaron Judge will almost certainly add another accomplishment to his first full season in the majors by being named American League Rookie of the Year on Monday (6 p.m., MLB Network).
It would be a fitting cap to his historic season, when he broke Mark McGwire’s rookie home run record by hitting 52 to lead the AL.
He also led all rookies in games played (155), plate appearances (678), RBIs (114), walks (128), on-base percentage (.422), WAR (8.2) and— obviously— home runs.
And the 6-foot-7 right fielder became the first rookie since Ted Williams to finish with 100 walks, 100 RBIs and 100 runs in a season.
Those accomplishments clearly outweigh the second-half slump, which made it look like Boston’s Andrew Benintendi might challenge Judge for the award. Judge erased any doubt by rebounding with his most productive month of the season in September — when he belted 15 homers and had an OPS of 1.352.
That finish, coupled with a first half that got him into the All-Star Game, where he also won the Home Run Derby in incredible fashion in Miami, partially overshadowed the month-long stretch following the Midsummer Classic, when — bothered by a banged-up left shoulder — Judge went just 16-for-97 with 46 strikeouts.
He also set a rookie record by fanning 208 times.
Judge’s disappearing act in the ALDS against the Indians, going 1-for-20 with 16 strikeouts and resurgence in the ALCS versus the Astros, won’t factor into the award, since voting was done before the playoffs.