Throughout 2022, the words home run were associated with one and only Aaron Judge, who was on pace to break the single-season AL record. Then on October 4, the New York Yankees star smashed his 62nd long ball of the season, breaking Roger Maris’ record. While his toe injury affected a similar display in 2023, there is someone else who could now dethrone Judge – Shohei Ohtani.

The Los Angeles Angels took him off the trade market recently, ending all speculations about his next team, for now. But the two-way phenomenon still regularly makes headlines about his latest home runs. At the beginning of 2023, he was competing with Judge for the AL MVP title, but now it seems like he is in a league of his own. In fact, he might even break the Yankee captain’s record. Well, can he?

Shohei Ohtani Is on Pace to Hit At Least 60 HRs

Ohtani makes it look easy – stand on the plate and be a home run-hitting machine. But since the last AL record is from 1961, it takes a special kind of talent. Not to mention, the Japanese ballplayer is a pitcher, so one can only imagine the amount of power his 6’4″ body contains.

Now, according to USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale, Ohtani is on a 60-home run pace. Which leads many to think, what’s three more? Although of course, it’s not easy as it sounds. Because back in 2021, Ohtani hit 36 home runs in the Angels’ first 100 games. Expectations were high back then, but they didn’t come to a satisfactory conclusion.

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Interestingly, baseball’s unicorn breaking Judge’s record has been a topic of recent discussion, and the Yankees player was even asked to comment on it. With his usual nonchalance, however, Judge said, “Records are meant to be broken.” While the reigning AL MVP had fan praise earlier this season, sentiments have changed since his prolonged injury.

Baseball Fans Deride Aaron Judge

Although injuries are unpredictable, they still throw a wrench into the game. And Judge’s absence has turned things upside down for the Yankees, so fans are less than happy. They openly mocked his inability to hold a record when Ohtani’s stats were announced.

Most outright stated that Ohtani was doing no such thing.

Some believe the AL record is not a real record.

Well, there is still a huge part of the season to be played, so it is too early to say whether Ohtani will break Judge’s record. But one thing is clear. After his stunning displays in 2021 and 2022, many touted him as a one-season wonder.

However, if one tracks his record from the mound and plate both ever since he made his big league debut, Ohtani’s name can be seen along with some top MLB players during this span. Talking about this season, only time will tell whether Ohtani will dethrone Judge from the top.

What are your thoughts? Do you think Ohtani can become the new home run king?

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