Angels News: MLB Analyst Predicts Shohei Ohtani Breaks Aaron Judge’s AL Home Run Record

Could Ohtani hit more than 62 home runs this year?

Last season, Yankees' slugger Aaron Judge broke the American League record for most home runs in a season. People were expecting that record to stand for a long time, but there is a chance someone new could be holding it this year.

Currently, Shohei Ohtani is at 35 home runs on the season through 94 games. With that pace, Ohtani could break Judge's record of 62 by the end of the season.

While it may seem crazy that Judge's record will only stand for one season, this MLB Network analyst thinks it's doable for the Japanese Star. 

On a panel with MLB analyst Ariel Epstein and former ballplayer Mike Lowell, Xavier Scruggs, who used to play for the Cardinals, says that Ohtani will break the record. 

"The one thing you guys are forgetting is that he is getting better," said Scruggs. "He's hitting 63 this year. It's like nothing is stopping him."

Shohei's epic bat flip has #MLBNOffBase thinking...

How many homers will Ohtani finish with this season?@LGRed | @Xavier_Scruggs | @ArielEpstein pic.twitter.com/tGlCGC6a7j

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 18, 2023

Through 95 games last year, Judge slugged 36 home runs. The main argument for why Ohtani will not reach 62 is because of pitching. 

The panelists believe that Ohtani will start getting intentionally walked at the end of the season if the Angels are out of contention.

If pitchers don't throw to Ohtani, there will obviously be no way that he will be able to reach the record. 

For Ohtan,i however, he has proved time and time again that he can do some things that seem impossible.