You have had your Spotify wrapped, now it’s time to look back at the top MLB moments, starring Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, and Bobby Witt Jr. What better way to kick things off than by talking about the best hitters of the season? What name first pops into your head when you read “best hitter”? Shohei Ohtani, right?  The guy’s been rewriting the records with his bat.  

Ohtani’s done things we’ve never seen before, making history in ways that leave us all in awe. But, let’s not forget about two other hitters who also had standout seasons: Aaron Judge and Bobby Witt Jr. Both brought the heat this year in their own unique way. Starting with Bobby Witt Jr., had it been in any other season, he would likely be running away with the AL MVP race. However, this year’s statistics might make one wonder whether he is prepared to dominate the league.  

But there is a catch. This season’s MVP competition saw loads of stars around him, which made things way more intense. Yet, amidst all those claiming the throne, Witt seems to have been gradually marking his name among the greatest. According to MLB.com, Bobby Witt Jr. has had a good season, with a batting average of .332, 211 hits, and 125 runs scored. And it doesn’t stop there. The 24-year-old also knocked 32 home runs out of the park and drove in 109 RBIs. Not bad for a guy who’s still in his career’s early chapter, right? And that Gold Glove-caliber defense? It’s the cherry on top.   

Next comes none other than Shohei Ohtani, whose 2024 season was full of incredible feats. The two-way phenom swiped 59 bases in 63 attempts, a 93.7% success rate. That’s the second-best ever in a 50-steal season. The 30-year-old Dodgers player is trailing only Max Carey’s 96.2% from 1922. In fact, among all Dodgers players with at least 30 stolen bases in a season, only Dave Roberts in 2004 had a better success rate than Ohtani this year.  

But there were moments of sadness, too. That near-miss on the stolen base record. Nonetheless, after signing the record-breaking contract in December, Ohtani became the first-ever member of the 50-homer, 50-steal club. And, of course, he didn’t just stop at 50; Shotime finished the season with 54 homeruns and 59 stolen bases. 

Finally, it’s time to reflect on the moments of Aaron Judge.

MLB’s hardest hitter is none other than Aaron Judge  

Last but not least – the New York Yankees’ captain. Aaron Judge claimed the hardest hitter title in all of baseball. Judge also won the AL MVP award for the second time in three years despite having a difficult start to September. For the third time in his career, the Yankee reached 58 home runs, and although he did not reach the AL record of 62 he set in 2022, he was not far off. 

When you think of the best three-year power streaks in MLB history, it would evidently include the Yankees player. Only the greatest of all time, like Babe Ruth, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, and Barry Bonds, can match this type of run. Mentioning power hitters who can dominate for an extended period, these names immediately spring to mind. And Judge is also right up there with his 2023 season being even more amazing. 

Sure, the 32-year-old was limited to just 106 games, and that’s unfortunate because we all know how much damage he could’ve done over a full season. But even with the injuries, Judge managed to smash 36 home runs, and you can’t help but wonder: what if? When we look back at this baseball era, Aaron Judge’s name will undoubtedly be etched alongside the legends of the game. 

What was your favorite MLB moment of this year? Don’t forget to share your comments below!