The Top 5 Seasons for Judge and Ohtani
Summary
Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge made history as the first duo to win back-to-back MVP awards. Together, they have secured seven MVP honors, cementing their legendary status.
Judge’s most iconic season was 2022, when he set the American League home run record with 62. His 2025 campaign was equally dominant, winning a batting title with a .331 average and 53 homers. Ohtani’s 2025 season showcased his unique two-way prowess, as he hit 55 home runs and returned to pitching with a 2.87 ERA. His 2024 season was also historic, achieving the first-ever 50-home run, 50-stolen base season. Both superstars are favorites to add more MVPs and lead their teams, the Dodgers and Yankees, in the upcoming season.
Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge became the first duo to win the Most Valuable Player Award in the same back-to-back seasons. A historic feat that only these two superstars are capable of. Between the two, they’ve won seven MVPs and continue to etch their names in the baseball history books. Let’s rank each player’s best seasons since joining the Majors.
Aaron Judge – Entered MLB in 2017
1. 2022 – The Historic 62-Homer, MVP Season
Aaron Judge’s 2022 campaign remains his single greatest—or at least the most iconic. He smashed 62 home runs, breaking the American League single-season record, while hitting .311 and putting up a .425 OBP along with a monster 1.111 OPS. Judge didn’t just do damage: he walked 111 times, played big situation after big situation, and carried a Yankees roster that leaned heavily on him. His ability to dominate pitching while keeping an advanced, disciplined approach earned him the AL MVP, and that year firmly established him as one of baseball’s most feared hitters.
2. 2025 – The Batting Title & 50+ Homer Return
2025 stands out as a career-defining season in a different way than 2022. Judge hit .331, winning his first full-season American League batting title. He combined that contact with elite power, pouring in 53 home runs. His on-base percentage (.457) and slugging (.688) were equally dominant, resulting in a staggering 1.144 OPS. He also won the 2025 AL MVP, making it his third MVP in four seasons. Few players blend average, power, and discipline like this—especially given his size, and doing it at age 33 shows both skill and maturity.
3. 2024 – The Power Resurgence
After an injury-marred 2023, Judge came back in 2024 with a punch: another 50+ home run season (he hit 58), reestablishing his place as a premier slugger in the AL. He refined his approach, staying patient, punishing mistakes, and showing even more impact in big moments. His hard-hit rates, barrel percentages, and other advanced metrics all bounced back strongly. Beyond just raw power, 2024 highlighted Judge’s leadership and resilience—he led a rejuvenated Yankees offense and helped set the stage for his 2025 dominance.
4. 2017 – The Rookie Sensation
Judge’s rookie year still ranks as one of the most electric introductions in modern baseball. In 2017, he crushed 52 home runs, breaking the rookie record, and combined that with a .284 batting average, a .422 OBP, and a 1.049 OPS. He also walked 127 times, showing a remarkably mature plate approach for a first-year player. He helped power the Yankees into the postseason, earned unanimous Rookie of the Year honors, and finished second in MVP voting. It wasn’t just the power—it was the uncanny maturity, discipline, and immediate leadership.
5. 2021 – The Underrated All-Around Season
Often overlooked in the shadow of his 2022 and 2024 campaigns, Judge’s 2021 season deserves serious recognition. He played 148 games, showing his best health stretch up to that point, and hit .287 with 39 home runs, 98 RBIs, and an impressive .916 OPS. On defense, he contributed value in both right and center field. Perhaps most importantly, he was clutch — his consistent production gave the Yankees a foundation in a somewhat turbulent season. From a WAR and advanced-metrics perspective, 2021 was one of his most balanced years, blending contact, power, and value on both sides of the ball.
Shohei Ohtani – Entered MLB in 2018
1. 2025 – Power, Return to Pitching & MVP-Level Two-Way Play
In 2025, Ohtani showed once again why he’s one of the most unique forces in baseball. He slashed .282/.392/.622 with 55 home runs, 102 RBIs, and a league-leading 1.014 OPS over 158 games. He also walked 109 times, becoming the first player ever with a 50-homer season, 100+ walks, and 20 stolen bases in the same year. On the mound, he returned to pitching, throwing 47 innings with a 2.87 ERA and 62 strikeouts. His two-way impact was critical in helping the Dodgers win — and he won another unanimous MVP.
The balance between his elite hitting and effective pitching makes 2025 arguably his most complete season.
2. 2023 – The Peak Two-Way Season
In 2023, Ohtani arguably had his best-ever two-way season. He hit 44 homers, posted an OPS over 1.000, and had a sterling 1.066 OPS while also pitching to a 3.14 ERA and striking out 167 batters. (His triple-digit velocity and elite secondary pitches underscored his dominance. He led the AL in multiple offensive categories and was firmly established as a true No. 1 starter on the mound. This helped him earn his second MVP, and this season remains a benchmark for his two-way capacity.
3. 2021 – Historic Breakout & First MVP
The 2021 season was the year Ohtani announced himself as a generational star. At the plate, he hit 46 homers, stole 26 bases, and had an OPS of .965. On the mound, he recorded a 3.18 ERA with 156 strikeouts, demonstrating excellent command of his splitter and slider. This was his first MVP season, and for good reason: he was one of the very few players to rank among the league leaders as both a hitter and pitcher. That combination of power, speed, and pitching dominance made 2021 a watershed moment in his career.
4. 2022 – Pitching Mastery with Offensive Punch
In 2022, Ohtani arguably became even more refined as a pitcher. He posted a career-best 2.33 ERA and struck out 219 batters, putting him in serious Cy Young conversation. Offensively, he still smashed 34 homers, drove in 95, and provided a .875 OPS. While his power output dipped a little compared to previous seasons, his improved consistency and polished pitching execution showed serious growth. His two-way value this year made him one of the most balanced stars in MLB.
5. 2024 – Historic 50-50 Season & First World Series
Although he did not pitch in 2024 (due to recovery), Ohtani still turned in one of the most remarkable seasons of his career purely as a hitter. He slashed .310/.390/.646, hit 54 home runs, stole 59 bases, and scored 134 runs. He became the first player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season. His elite offensive production earned him his third MVP, his third Silver Slugger, and he capped it all by winning his first World Series with the Dodgers
Final Thoughts
Ohtani and Judge are generational players who are just in the early stages of their already Hall of Fame careers. Both likely will win more MVPs over their career cementing themselves as icons of this sport. Their teams are currently the two top choices to win the World Series in 2026 ( Dodgers +275, Yankees +800) and both players are the favorites to win yet another MVP.
