How Yankees' Aaron Judge can join Barry Bonds, Babe Ruth in elite MLB history in 2026

Matt Sullivan

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How Yankees' Aaron Judge can join Barry Bonds, Babe Ruth in elite MLB history in 2026 image

The New York Yankees have been blessed to have some of the greatest players in Major League Baseball history play for their team over their long history.

Aaron Judge might be etching his name at the top of the mountain of all-time Yankees players based on how he's playing right now.

MLB.com's Sarah Langs shared how Judge can further make MLB history, joining Babe Ruth and Barry Bonds in some exclusive company. The requirement to reach this history isn't far-fetched for Judge at all, as the Yankees superstar might cement his status as an all-time great in 2026.

How Aaron Judge can join Babe Ruth, Barry Bonds in elite MLB history

Langs shared projections that Judge is expected to have 45 home runs and finish 2026 with a 172 wRC+, which would be two incredible feats in 2026. But those two projections would make some MLB history.

"This would be Judge's fifth consecutive season with at least 35 homers and 170 wRC+," Langs writes. "The only players to do that in at least five straight seasons are 1920-32 Turh (seven), 2000-04 Bonds, and 1920-24 Ruth."

Judge is already fourth all-time for consecutive 35-homer seasons with at least a 170 wRC+, as he has four. But with just one more season, he could join some incredibly unique company.

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Bonds and Ruth are two of the best hitters in Major League Baseball history. But there are some caveats to both.

Ruth played in a time when the game was very different. He's still one of the best ever, but he might not have fared as well in today's game. Bonds, on the other hand, has PED allegations, and isn't in the Hall of Fame because of that.

If Judge can reach 35 home runs and finish with at least a 170 wRC+, then this five-year stretch will have the case to be called the best ever in Major League Baseball history.

He's on the Hall of Fame track, and reaching this milestone that Langs pointed out would be a great way to further bolster his candidacy in his 11th MLB season.

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Senior Editor