Aaron Judge Named 2024 AL MVP

New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge has unanimously been named the 2024 American League Most Valuable Player. The Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) announced the results of the vote Thursday. Judge, who previously won the award in 2022, when he set the AL single-season record for home runs, now becomes the 34th player in MLB history to win the MVP award multiple times. Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. finished second in the voting, and Judge's Yankees teammate (at least in 2024) Juan Soto finished third.

This season, Judge batted .322/.458/.701 and led the majors with 58 home runs. In addition to pacing all comers in home runs, Judge also led the majors in OPS+ (223), OBP, slugging, walks (133), RBI (144), and WAR (10.8). He also topped the AL with 392 total bases. As for Judge's 2024 OPS+ of 223, which means his park-adjusted OPS was 123% higher than the league-average mark, it's the sixth-highest figure of MLB's integrated era – i.e., since 1947. Ahead of Judge's 2024 OPS+ are four Barry Bonds seasons and Ted Williams' 233 figure in 1957. 

Judge along with Soto, who's presently the most coveted free agent on the market, did the heavy lifting as the Yankees this season logged an AL-best 94 wins and claimed the AL East title. Judge and Soto combined for 99 home runs and 262 walks. 

Judge, who just wrapped up the second year of his nine-year, $360 million contract, gives the Yankees their 22nd MVP award in franchise history. That extends their all-time lead over the Cardinals, who have 18 MVP seasons to their credit. 

While Judge struggled during the Yankees' run to the AL pennant during the postseason, at least by his standards (Judge hit .184/.344/.408 with three homers in 14 playoff games), his MVP award is based on his regular-season performance. Voters submit their MVP ballots before the playoffs begin.