Aaron Judge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aaron Judge |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
Judge with the New York Yankees in 2018
|
|||
| New York Yankees – No. 99 | |||
| Outfielder | |||
| Born: April 26, 1992 Sacramento, California, U.S. |
|||
|
|||
| debut | |||
| August 13, 2016, for the New York Yankees | |||
| MLB statistics (through 2024 season) |
|||
| Batting average | .288 | ||
| Hits | 1,026 | ||
| Home runs | 315 | ||
| Runs batted in | 716 | ||
| Teams | |||
|
|||
| Career highlights and awards | |||
|
|||
Aaron James Judge (born April 26, 1992) is an American professional baseball player. He is an outfielder for the New York Yankees in Major League Baseball (MLB). He's been an MLB All-Star six times. He has also won the American League (AL) Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) twice.
Judge set a new AL record for most home runs in a season with 62. He broke a record that had stood for 61 years! He is very tall, standing at 6 feet 7 inches. This makes him one of the tallest players in MLB.
Before joining the pros, Judge played college baseball for the Fresno State Bulldogs. The Yankees picked him in the first round of the 2013 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2016. In 2017, he won the AL Rookie of the Year award. He hit 52 home runs that year, which was a new MLB rookie record. He was also the first rookie to win the Home Run Derby.
In 2022, Judge won his first MVP award. He broke the AL single-season home run record that year. After the 2022 season, he signed a big contract with the Yankees. He was also named the team's captain. In 2024, Judge won his second MVP award. He led MLB in home runs and helped the Yankees reach the 2024 World Series for the first time in 15 years.
Contents
Early Life and High School Sports
Aaron Judge was born in Sacramento, California. He was adopted by Patty and Wayne Judge when he was a baby. Both of his parents were teachers. He grew up in Linden, California, and has an older adopted brother, John. Judge was a fan of the San Francisco Giants baseball team.
He went to Linden High School. He was a star in three different sports! He played pitcher and first baseman in baseball. In football, he was a wide receiver. He even played center for the basketball team. He set a school record with 17 touchdowns in football. He also led the basketball team in points per game. He graduated from Linden High in 2010.
College Baseball Career
Many colleges wanted Judge to play tight end in football. Schools like Notre Dame and Stanford recruited him. But Judge loved baseball more. The Oakland Athletics drafted him in 2010. However, he decided to go to California State University, Fresno (Fresno State). He played for the Fresno State Bulldogs baseball team.
In 2011, his team won their conference title. They also played in the 2011 NCAA Division I baseball tournament. Judge was named a Freshman All-American. In 2012, he won the TD Ameritrade College Home Run Derby. He played summer baseball for the Brewster Whitecaps. In his junior year, he led his team in home runs and runs batted in (RBIs). He was named to the all-conference team in all three of his college seasons.
Professional Baseball Journey
Draft and Minor Leagues
The Yankees picked Aaron Judge in the first round of the 2013 MLB draft. He was the 32nd player chosen overall. Judge signed with the Yankees and got a $1.8 million bonus. Sadly, he got a leg injury in 2013 and couldn't play that season.
He started playing professionally in 2014 with the Charleston RiverDogs. He played well there, hitting nine home runs. Later that year, he moved up to the Tampa Yankees. In 2015, Judge played for the Trenton Thunder and then the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. He was even chosen for the 2015 All-Star Futures Game. In 2016, he continued to play well in the minor leagues. He hit 19 home runs for the RailRiders.
New York Yankees (2016–present)
First Steps in MLB: 2016
Aaron Judge made his MLB debut on August 13, 2016. He played right field against the Tampa Bay Rays. In his very first at-bat, Judge hit a home run. What was even cooler? The player before him, Tyler Austin, also hit a home run in his first at-bat! This was the first time two teammates hit home runs in their first MLB at-bats in the same game. Judge also hit a home run in his second game. His first season ended early because of a muscle injury in his side.
Rookie Sensation: 2017
The Yankees made Judge their starting right fielder for Opening Day in 2017. On April 28, he hit two home runs in one game. One of his home runs was hit so hard, it set a new record for exit velocity (how fast the ball leaves the bat). He ended April with 10 home runs, tying a rookie record. He was named the AL Rookie of the Month for April.
The Yankees even created a special cheering section for him called "The Judge's Chambers." Fans chosen to sit there wear black robes and wigs! In May, Judge hit his first career grand slam. He won Rookie of the Month again for May.
In June, Judge hit another record-breaking home run for exit velocity. He also hit a home run that traveled 495 feet, the longest of the 2017 season! He was named AL Player of the Month for June. By July, Judge was voted a starting outfielder for the 2017 MLB All-Star Game. He received the most votes of any player in the AL.
Judge broke Joe DiMaggio's record for most home runs by a Yankees rookie. He hit his 30th home run on July 7. Before the All-Star break, he had 30 home runs and 66 RBIs.
Judge won the 2017 Home Run Derby. He was the first rookie to win it all by himself. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said Judge could become "the face of the game."
.jpg)
On September 25, Judge hit his 49th and 50th home runs. This tied and then broke Mark McGwire's rookie home run record. On September 30, he hit his 52nd home run. This broke Babe Ruth's record for most home runs hit by a Yankee player at their home ballpark.
Judge finished the 2017 season with 52 home runs, 114 RBIs, and 127 walks. He led the American League in home runs and walks. He also set a rookie record for strikeouts. The Yankees made it to the playoffs. Judge hit a home run in the Wild Card Game. He also made an amazing catch to rob a home run in the ALDS.
After the season, Judge won many awards. He was named the American League Rookie of the Year by a unanimous vote. He also won a Silver Slugger Award. He finished second in the voting for the AL MVP award.
Injuries and All-Star Games: 2018-2020
In 2018, Judge played center field for the first time. He became the tallest and heaviest player ever to play that position. He was named a starting outfielder for the 2018 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.
On July 26, Judge was hit by a fastball and broke a bone in his wrist. He missed almost two months because of the injury. He finished the season with 27 home runs in 112 games. The Yankees made the playoffs but lost to the Boston Red Sox.
In 2019, Judge started strong but got another injury in April. He didn't play again until June. On August 27, he hit his 100th career home run. He was the third-fastest MLB player to reach 100 home runs. In 2019, he also won the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award for his great defense in right field.
The 2020 season was shorter due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Judge started with a home run in five straight games. However, he dealt with calf injuries and played in only 28 games. He finished with nine home runs.
Hitting Milestones and Awards: 2021
In May 2021, Judge had a fantastic week, earning his fourth career AL Player of the Week Award. He hit his 130th career home run, which was the second-most in MLB history for a player through 460 games. On May 23, he got his first career walk-off RBI.
On July 9, Judge got his 500th career hit. He became the second-fastest Yankee to reach 500 hits and 100 home runs, only behind Joe DiMaggio. Judge was named the starting right fielder for the 2021 MLB All-Star Game. After the All-Star Game, he was placed on the COVID-19 injured list.
On October 3, the last game of the regular season, Judge hit his first career walk-off hit. It helped the Yankees win and get a spot in the playoffs. Judge finished the 2021 season with 39 home runs and 98 RBIs. He won a Fielding Bible Award for his defense and his second Silver Slugger Award. He was also named to the First Team of the All-MLB Team.
Record-Breaking MVP Season: 2022
Before the 2022 season, Judge and the Yankees tried to agree on a long-term contract, but they couldn't. Judge signed a one-year contract instead. He started the season very strong.
On May 10, Judge hit his first career walk-off home run. He was named the American League Player of the Month for May. He hit 12 home runs that month. He hit his second walk-off home run on June 26.
Judge was chosen as a starter for the 2022 MLB All-Star Game. He received the most fan votes in the American League. He hit his third walk-off homer of the season on July 28, tying a Yankees record. He won AL Player of the Month again for July.
On July 30, Judge hit his 200th career home run. He was the second-fastest player in history to reach this milestone. On August 29, he hit his 50th home run of the season. He became only the tenth player in MLB history to have multiple seasons with 50 or more home runs.
On September 7, Judge hit his 55th home run. He became one of only four players in MLB history to hit 55+ home runs and steal 15+ bases in a season. On September 18, he hit his 58th and 59th home runs. This tied a record for most multi-home run games in a season.
Judge hit his 60th home run on September 20. He became the third AL player to hit 60 home runs in one season. He was also the fastest Yankee to do it. On September 28, Judge hit his 61st home run. This tied Roger Maris's record for most home runs in a single AL season.
Then, on October 4, Judge hit his 62nd home run! This set a new single-season American League home run record. Some people even consider this the true MLB single-season record. This is because other players who hit more home runs were linked to performance-enhancing drugs.
Judge finished 2022 leading MLB with 62 home runs, 133 runs scored, and 131 RBIs. He also had 111 walks. He almost won the batting triple crown. For his amazing season, Judge won the 2022 American League MVP Award. He was also named the AP "Male Athlete of the Year."
The Yankees made the playoffs in 2022. They won their first series but then lost to the Houston Astros. After the season, Judge became a free agent.
Yankees Captain and Injuries: 2023
In December 2022, Aaron Judge signed a huge nine-year, $360 million deal with the Yankees. This was the biggest free agent deal in MLB history at the time. The next day, the Yankees named him their 16th team captain. He was the first captain since Derek Jeter retired.
On Opening Day 2023, Judge hit his first home run of the season. He later had a hip injury in April and missed some games. He returned in May and won the AL Player of the Month award for May. He hit 12 home runs in 21 games that month.
On June 3, Judge crashed into an outfield wall while making a great catch. He sprained his toe and missed 42 games. Even with the injury, he was chosen for the 2023 Major League Baseball All Star Game, but couldn't play. He returned to play on July 28.
On August 23, Judge hit three home runs in one game, including a grand slam. He did it again on September 22, becoming the first Yankee to hit three home runs in a game twice in one season. On September 2, Judge hit his 250th home run. He became the fastest player in MLB history to reach 250 home runs, doing it in only 810 games.
Even though he missed 56 games, Judge still hit 37 home runs in 2023. The Yankees missed the playoffs that year. Judge was honored with the Roberto Clemente Award for his good character and charity work. He was also named to the All-MLB Team for the third year in a row.
Another MVP Season: 2024
Judge started the 2024 season slowly after an injury-filled spring training. He mostly played center field but also played left field for the first time. By late April, his hitting improved a lot.
On May 4, Judge was ejected from a game for the first time in his career for arguing with an umpire. He won AL Player of the Week in May. He also won AL Player of the Month for May, hitting 14 home runs. He played his first series against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park, hitting three home runs.
Judge won AL Player of the Week again in June. By the end of June, he led MLB in home runs (31), RBIs (82), and OPS (a stat that combines hitting power and getting on base). He won AL Player of the Month again for June. On June 27, he was announced as a starting outfielder for the 2024 MLB All-Star Game, getting the most votes.
On August 2, Judge hit his 40th home run of the season and his 100th RBI. On August 14, he hit his 300th career home run. He became the fastest player ever to reach 300 home runs, doing it in only 955 games. On August 25, he hit his 50th and 51st home runs of the season. This made him the fifth player in MLB history with three or more seasons of 50+ home runs.
Judge won AL Player of the Month for August, his third time winning it in 2024. On September 13, he hit a grand slam against the Boston Red Sox. This ended his longest home run drought.
The Yankees won the ALCS in five games, with Judge hitting two home runs. In his first 2024 World Series, Judge hit his first World Series home run in Game 5. However, the Yankees lost the series. After the season, Judge won the AL MVP Award for the second time. He was the second Yankee to win it unanimously.
Records and Milestones
New York Yankees Records
- Most home runs in a season hit at home: 33 (broke Babe Ruth's record of 32).
- Most home runs in a season by a rookie: 52 (broke Joe DiMaggio's record of 29).
- Most home runs in a single season: 62 (broke Roger Maris's record of 61).
- First right-handed hitter in Yankees history with at least 100 RBIs, 100 runs scored, and 100 walks in a single season.
- Most home runs (4) in the first seven home playoff games (tied Reggie Jackson).
- Most home runs by the All-Star break (34).
- Fastest to reach 60 home runs in a single season (147th team game).
- First to hit three home runs in a game twice in one season.
AL Records
- Home runs in a rookie season (52, 2017).
- Strikeouts in a single postseason (27, 2017).
- Strikeouts in a rookie season (208, 2017).
- Home runs in a single season (62, 2022).
MLB Records
- Striking out in 37 consecutive games (2017).
- Most strikeouts by a rookie with 208.
- Most walks by a rookie with 127.
- First rookie in MLB history with at least 45 home runs, 100 RBIs, and 100 runs scored.
- Fastest to reach 60 career home runs (197 games).
- Most strikeouts in a doubleheader with 8.
- Most single-season multi-home run games (11; tied with Hank Greenberg and Sammy Sosa).
- Most career home runs in postseason winner-take-all games (4).
- Fastest to reach 250 career home runs (810 games).
- Fastest to reach 300 career home runs (955 games).
Awards and Honors
- 12× American League Player of the Week
- 9× American League Player of the Month
- 3× 50 Home Run Club (2017, 2022, 2024)
- 60 Home Run Club (2022)
- Home Run Derby Champion (2017)
- AL Rookie of the Year (2017)
- 6× MLB All-Star
- 4× Silver Slugger Award
- 2× AL Hank Aaron Award
- Fielding Bible Award (2021)
- 2x American League MVP (2022, 2024)
- 3× All-MLB First Team (outfield)
- All-MLB Second Team (outfield) (2023)
- The Associated Press (AP) Male Athlete of the Year (2022)
- Roberto Clemente Award (2023)
Uniform and Nicknames
Aaron Judge has worn the number 99 since 2016. This is an unusual number for a regular player. He once said he might have preferred numbers 44 or 35, but they were not available.
MLB has a "Players Weekend" where players can show their personality. In 2017, Judge chose "All Rise" as his nickname on his jersey. This nickname was given to him by a teammate. In 2019, he used "BAJ" which stands for "Big Aaron Judge."
Player Profile
Judge is 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighs 282 pounds. Because of his large size and strength, he is often compared to other powerful baseball players.
Pregame Rituals
Judge is known as a leader on his team. He has some special routines before games. At Yankee Stadium, he tosses exactly 40 sunflower seeds onto the grass behind home plate. This is one seed for each player on the Yankees roster. He also says a prayer, but what he says is private.
During his rookie season in 2017, Judge kept a note on his phone. It showed his low batting average from 2016 (.179). He looked at it every day to stay motivated.
Outside of Baseball
Helping Others: Philanthropy
Aaron Judge started the ALL RISE Foundation. His mother, Patty, helps run it. The foundation's goal is to "inspire children and youth to become responsible citizens." It also encourages them to reach their full potential. In 2024, the foundation held an event that raised almost $800,000 for youth programs in New York City.
Endorsements and Partnerships
Early in his career, Judge had deals with sports brands like Rawlings and Under Armour. After his amazing 2017 season, he signed a deal with Pepsi. In 2018, he switched to Adidas. In 2023, Judge signed a shoe deal with Jordan Brand, which is owned by Nike. He is one of only a few MLB players to have this deal. In 2024, he became the face of a new Ralph Lauren fragrance. He also partnered with the energy drink Prime.
At Yankee Stadium, there's a special food item called "The 99 Burger." It's named after Judge's uniform number. Only 99 of these burgers are made for each home game!
Media Appearances
Judge has been on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine. He also appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. He went undercover in a park to ask Yankees fans questions about himself!
In 2017, it was announced that Judge would be the cover athlete for the video game MLB The Show 18. In 2024, Judge and his two pet dogs were guest stars on an episode of Rubble & Crew, a cartoon show. His wife even voiced one of their dogs.
Personal Life
Aaron Judge is a Methodist Christian. He has shared his faith on social media. He married Samantha Bracksieck in December 2021. They met in high school and both went to Fresno State University. They have two pet dachshunds named Gus and Penny.
See Also
In Spanish: Aaron Judge para niños
- List of California State University, Fresno people
- 50 home run club
- List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual home run leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual runs batted in leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual runs scored leaders
- List of Major League Baseball players with a home run in their first major league at bat
- List of New York Yankees team records
- New York Yankees award winners and league leaders
