Aaron Judge

Aaron Judge

Judge during spring training in 2015
New York Yankees – No. 99
Outfielder
Born: (1992-04-26) April 26, 1992
Linden, California
Bats: Right Throws: Right

Aaron James Judge (born April 26, 1992) is an American professional baseball outfielder in Minor League Baseball. He is a member of the New York Yankees' organization and is largely regarded as one of their top prospects. Prior to his professional career, Judge played college baseball for the Fresno State Bulldogs of California State University, Fresno.

Career

Judge attended Linden High School, where he was a three-sport star. He was recruited by colleges to play American football, but he preferred baseball. He was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 31st round of the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft, but opted to attend college. He enrolled at Fresno State, where he played college baseball for the Fresno State Bulldogs baseball team in the Mountain West Conference. Louisville Slugger named him a Freshman All-American. He was the winner of the 2012 TD Ameritrade College Home Run Derby.[1] In his junior year, Judge led the Bulldogs in home runs, doubles, and runs batted in (RBIs).[2] Judge was named All-Mountain West Conference in all three seasons he played for the Bulldogs.[2]

The Yankees drafted Judge in the first round, with the 32nd overall selection, of the 2013 Major League Baseball Draft.[3][4] Judge signed with the Yankees, receiving a $1.8 million signing bonus.[5] He tore a quadriceps femoris muscle while participating in a baserunning drill, which kept him out of the 2013 season. He made his professional debut with the Charleston RiverDogs of the Class A South Atlantic League in 2014.[1] He had a .333 batting average, .428 on-base percentage (OBP), .530 slugging percentage (SLG), and hit nine home runs with 45 RBIs in 65 games for Charleston. The Yankees promoted him to the Tampa Yankees of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League during the season, where he hit .283 with a .411 OBP, .442 SLG, eight home runs, and 33 RBIs in 66 games.[2]

The Yankees invited Judge to spring training as a non-roster player in 2015.[6] Judge began the 2015 season with the Trenton Thunder of the Class AA Eastern League.[7] After Judge batted .284 with a .350 OBP and 12 home runs in 63 games for Trenton, the Yankees promoted Judge to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders of the Class AAA International League in June.[8] He was chosen to represent the Yankees at the 2015 All-Star Futures Game.[9] The Yankees decided not to include Judge in their September call-ups.[10] Judge batted .224 with eight home runs in 61 games for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.[11] He received a non-roster Spring Training invitation on February 5th, 2016.

Player profile

Judge is listed at 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m) and 275 pounds (125 kg). Due to his large size and strength, he has elicited comparisons to Giancarlo Stanton, Dave Winfield, and Willie Stargell.[12][2]

Personal life

Judge was adopted by Patty and Wayne Judge, who both worked as teachers, the day after he was born. He has an older brother, John, who was also adopted.[12]

References

  1. 1 2 "South Atlantic League notes: New York Yankees' Aaron Judge looming large with RiverDogs". MiLB.com. May 15, 2014. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Feinsand, Mark (March 7, 2015). "Yankees prospect Aaron Judge has a huge future in pinstripes". New York Daily News. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Bulldogs' Judge takes College Home Run Derby title". Omaha.com. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  4. ↑ "MLB draft: Fresno State's Aaron Judge looks like a first-round pick". Fresno Bee. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Yanks come to terms with first-round pick Judge". New York Yankees. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
  6. ↑ Kuty, Brendan (February 5, 2015). "Yankees spring training: Aaron Judge, Luis Severino headline non-roster invitees". NJ.com. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Aaron Judge hits 3-run homer as Thunder open with win". trentonian.com. April 10, 2015. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Aaron Judge, Yankees' top position prospect, gets a hit in first Triple-A game". Newsday. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Prospects Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez to represent Yankees in Futures Game". NJ.com. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
  10. ↑ DiPietro, Lou (August 28, 2015). "Yankees' September call-ups will be 'all hands on deck' - except Aaron Judge: GM Brian Cashman confirms top prospect won't be in the Bronx on Sept. 1". YES Network. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  11. ↑ Kuty, Brendan (September 24, 2015). "Why Yankees prospect Aaron Judge struggled at Triple-A". NJ.com. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  12. 1 2 Kernan, Kevin (March 11, 2015). "‘Blessed’ Yankees prospect elicits Stargell, Stanton comps". New York Post. Retrieved March 13, 2015.

External links

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