MLB analyst compares Orioles duo to Aaron Judge - Juan Soto and Shohei Ohtani - Mookie Betts pairings

The 2024 MLB season saw some elite duos wreak havoc on opposing teams. Juan Soto and Aaron Judge struck fear in opposing pitchers hitting back-to-back. Their stellar numbers also helped them earn comparisons with the legendary hitting duo of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. In the National League, Mookie Betts and Shohei Ohtani had the same impact.

There's another hitting pair brewing up in the majors and that's Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson, according to MLB analyst Brian Kenny. He suggested they were as good as elite partnerships like Judge-Soto and Ohtani-Betts.

"You know, like last year, I know I was asked many times, 'Oh, you’re not going to get better than a two-man combo of Judge and Soto or Betts and Ohtani.' And I’m like, 'No, Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman. I don’t know. Maybe you do,'" Kenny said.

The praise centered particularly on Rutschman, who has already established himself as one of the sport's rising superstars. The discussion comes on the heels of The Shredder listing Rutschman as their No. 2 catcher in the majors heading into 2025 season.

"So, that’s where I’m starting with Adley Rutschman—that he is already in that rare air, could be one of the superstars of the sport, and still has respect from the Shredder, coming in at number two," the analyst added.

Comparing MLB's elite hitting pairs of 2024 ft. Mookie Betts-Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge-Juan Soto and Adley Rutschman-Gunnar Henderson

1) Mookie Betts & Shohei Ohtani (LAD)

Betts posted a solid .289/.372/.491 slash line and contributed 19 home runs and 75 RBIs. Ohtani, on the other hand, batted .310/.390/.646 slash line, leading the pack with 54 home runs, 130 RBIs and a 1.036 OPS. Together, they provide a dynamic mix of elite power, speed and plate discipline, underscored by Ohtani’s league-leading 181 wRC+.

2) Aaron Judge & Juan Soto (NYY)

Judge and Soto form an elite pairing marked by Judge's immense power and Soto’s exceptional plate discipline. Judge, with a .322/.458/.701 slash line, hit 58 home runs, drove in 144 RBIs, and led all hitters in OPS (1.159) and wRC+ (219).

Soto complemented him with a .288/.419/.569 slash line, 41 home runs, and 109 RBIs, maintaining a phenomenal walk-to-strikeout ratio (129 BB vs. 119 SO).

3) Adley Rutschman & Gunnar Henderson (BAL)

Henderson emerged as the more impactful hitter with a .281/.364/.529 slash line, 37 home runs, 92 RBIs and 21 stolen bases. Rutschman, while solid behind the plate, batted .250/.318/.391 slash line and 19 home runs.

Among these duos, Judge and Soto stand out. However, the pair will no longer feature in 2025 since Soto signed with the New York Mets on a record 15-year, $765 million deal this offseason.