Aaron Judge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aaron Judge |
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Judge with the New York Yankees in 2018
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| New York Yankees – No. 99 | |||
| Outfielder | |||
| Born: April 26, 1992 Sacramento, California, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| August 13, 2016, for the New York Yankees | |||
| MLB statistics (through July 23, 2025) |
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| Batting average | .293 | ||
| Hits | 1,155 | ||
| Home runs | 352 | ||
| Runs batted in | 800 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Aaron James Judge (born April 26, 1992) is a professional baseball player from the United States. He plays as an outfielder for the New York Yankees in Major League Baseball (MLB). He has been chosen for the MLB All-Star team seven times. He has also won the American League (AL) Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) twice.
Aaron Judge holds the AL record for hitting the most home runs in one season, with 62. He is very tall and strong, standing 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 meters) and weighing 282 pounds (128 kg). This makes him one of the biggest players in MLB. Many people think he is one of the best home run hitters and right-handed batters ever.
Judge played college baseball for the Fresno State Bulldogs. The Yankees picked him as the 32nd player in the first round of the 2013 MLB draft. He started playing in MLB in 2016. In 2017, he won the AL Rookie of the Year award. He also hit 52 home runs, which was a new record for rookies at the time. He was 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, which had been held by Roger Maris for 61 years. After the 2022 season, Judge signed a big contract with the Yankees. He was also named the team's captain. In 2024, he won his second MVP award. He led MLB in home runs and OPS. He also became the fastest MLB player to hit 300 career home runs. In the postseason that year, the Yankees won their first AL pennant in 15 years. Judge was named captain of Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Contents
Early Life and High School Sports
Aaron Judge was born in Sacramento, California. He was adopted by Patty and Wayne Judge, who were both teachers. He has an older brother, John, who was also adopted. Judge is biracial. When he was young, he was a fan of the San Francisco Giants baseball team.
Judge went to Linden High School. He was a star in three different sports. He played as a pitcher and first baseman for the baseball team. He was a wide receiver for the football team. He also played as a 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 with 18.2. In baseball, his team made it to the playoffs. Judge finished high school in 2010.
College Baseball Career
Many colleges wanted Judge to play tight end in football. These included Notre Dame and Stanford. However, he really wanted to play baseball. The Oakland Athletics picked him in the 2010 MLB draft. But he decided to go to California State University, Fresno. There, he played for the Bulldogs baseball team.
In 2011, his team won their conference title. They also played in the NCAA Division I baseball tournament. Judge was named a Freshman All-American. In 2012, he won the College Home Run Derby. He played summer baseball for the Brewster Whitecaps. In his third year, Judge led his team in home runs, doubles, and runs batted in (RBIs). He was named to the all-conference team in all three of his college seasons.
Professional Baseball Career
Starting in the Minor Leagues
The Yankees picked Judge in the first round of the 2013 MLB draft. He was the 32nd player chosen overall. Judge signed with the Yankees and received a $1.8 million bonus. He missed the 2013 season because of a leg injury.
Judge started playing professionally in 2014 with the Charleston RiverDogs. He had a good batting average of .333. He also hit nine home runs. The Yankees then moved him to the Tampa Yankees. There, he hit .283 with eight home runs.
In 2015, Judge played for the Trenton Thunder. He hit 12 home runs in 63 games. He was then moved up to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. He was also chosen to play in the 2015 All-Star Futures Game. In 2016, Judge was named to the International League All-Star Team. He hit 19 home runs in 93 games for the RailRiders.
Playing for the New York Yankees
2016: First MLB Games
Judge played his first MLB game on August 13, 2016. He started in right field against the Tampa Bay Rays. In his very first time at bat, Judge hit a home run. The player before him, Tyler Austin, also hit a home run in his first at-bat. This was the first time two teammates had ever hit home runs in their first MLB at-bats in the same game. Judge also hit a home run in his second MLB game. His first season ended early because of a muscle injury in his side.
2017: Rookie of the Year
The Yankees made Judge their starting right fielder for the 2017 season. On April 28, he hit two home runs in one game. One of his home runs was hit at 119.4 miles per hour. This was the fastest exit velocity for a home run measured by Statcast at that time. Judge ended April with 10 home runs, tying a rookie record. He was named the AL Rookie of the Month for April.
On May 22, the Yankees created a special cheering section at Yankee Stadium called "The Judge's Chambers." Fans chosen to sit there wear black robes and wigs. On May 28, Judge hit his first career grand slam. He was named AL Rookie of the Month again for May.
On June 10, Judge hit another record-breaking home run, measured at 121.1 mph. The next day, he hit two more home runs. One of them traveled 495 feet, the longest home run of the 2017 season. Judge was named AL Player of the Month for June. He also won his third straight AL Rookie of the Month award. On July 2, Judge was voted as 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 with his 30th on July 7. He was the second rookie to hit 30 home runs before the All-Star break. Before the All-Star break, Judge had 30 home runs and 66 RBIs.
Judge won the 2017 Home Run Derby. He was the first rookie to win it. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said Judge could become "the face of the game."
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On September 25, Judge hit his 49th and 50th home runs. This broke Mark McGwire's single-season rookie home run record. On September 30, Judge hit his 52nd home run. This broke Babe Ruth's record for most home runs hit by a Yankees player at their home ballpark.
Judge finished the 2017 season with a .284 batting average, 52 home runs, and 114 RBI. He led the AL in home runs and runs scored. He also set a rookie record with 127 walks. He struck out 208 times, which was an MLB record.
The Yankees made it to the playoffs in 2017. Judge hit a home run in the Wild Card Game. In the AL Division Series, he made a great catch to stop a home run. He hit three home runs in the AL Championship Series. Judge finished with 27 strikeouts in the postseason, a record at the time.
Judge won many awards, including the Players Choice Award for Outstanding AL Rookie and a Silver Slugger Award. He was also unanimously voted as the AL Rookie of the Year. He finished second in the voting for the AL Most Valuable Player Award.
2018: All-Star Season
On March 31, Judge played center field for the first time in the majors. At 6 feet 7 inches tall and 282 pounds, he became the tallest and heaviest player to play that position.
Judge was named a starting outfielder for the All-Star Game. He hit a solo home run in the game. On July 26, Judge was hit by a fastball on his right wrist. He had a fractured bone and missed almost two months. He finished the season with a .278 batting average, 27 home runs, and 67 RBIs in 112 games.
2019: 100th Home Run
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Judge started the 2019 season well. But on April 20, he hurt his side and did not play again until June 21. On August 27, Judge hit his 100th career home run. It was a 462-foot blast. He became the third-fastest MLB player to reach 100 home runs.
On September 8, Judge hit a home run over Fenway Park's famous Green Monster wall for the first time. This home run helped the 2019 Yankees set a new team record for most home runs in a season.
In 2019, Judge hit .272 with 27 home runs and 55 RBIs. He also had the highest exit velocity on his hits in MLB. He won the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award for his great play in right field.
2020: Shortened Season
During Spring Training in 2020, Judge had a stress fracture in his ribs. He missed some time because of it. Judge started the shortened 2020 season by hitting a home run in five straight games. This was the longest home run streak by a Yankees player since Alex Rodriguez in 2007. Judge missed more time with a calf injury. He finished the season with nine home runs and 22 RBIs in 28 games.
2021: More Milestones
Judge won his fourth career AL Player of the Week Award in May 2021. He hit five home runs that week. He also hit his 130th career home run. On May 23, Judge got his first career walk-off RBI. This means he got a hit or walk that won the game in the last inning.
On July 9, Judge got his 500th career hit. He became the second fastest Yankee to reach 500 hits and 100 home runs. Only Joe DiMaggio did it faster. Judge was named the starting right fielder in the All-Star Game. After the All-Star Game, Judge was placed on the COVID-19 injured list.
On August 12, Judge hit two home runs in the Field of Dreams game in Iowa. On October 3, the last game of the regular season, Judge got his first career walk-off hit. This single won the game 1–0 and helped the Yankees get into the playoffs.
Judge finished the 2021 season with a .287 batting average, 39 home runs, and 98 RBI. 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.
2022: AL Home Run Record and MVP
Before the 2022 Yankees season, Judge and the Yankees could not agree on a long-term contract. Judge signed a one-year, $19 million contract.
Judge had a great April and May, winning the AL Player of the Month Award for May. He hit his first career walk-off home run on May 10. He hit his second walk-off home run on June 26. Judge was chosen as a starter for the All-Star Game. He received the most fan votes in the AL.
Judge hit his third walk-off home run of the season on July 28. This tied Mickey Mantle's record for most walk-off home runs by a Yankee in a season. Judge won back-to-back AL Player of the Week Awards in July. He also won the AL Player of the Month Award for July.
On July 30, Judge became the second-fastest player in history to hit his 200th career home run. 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 home runs.
On September 7, Judge hit his 55th home run. He became the fourth player in MLB history to hit 55-plus home runs and steal 15-plus 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 an MLB season.
Judge hit his 60th home run on September 20, 2022. He became the third AL player to hit 60 home runs in one season. He was also the fastest Yankee to do it, in 147 games.
On September 28, Judge hit his 61st home run. This tied Roger Maris for the most home runs in a single season in American League history. On October 4, Judge hit his 62nd home run. This set the new single-season American League home run record. Some people believe Judge's 62 home runs is the true MLB single-season record. This is because other players who hit more home runs have been linked to using performance-enhancing drugs.
Judge won his third AL Player of the Month Award for September. In 2022, Judge led MLB with 62 home runs, 133 runs scored, and 131 RBI. He also had 111 walks and a .311 batting average.
For his amazing 2022 season, Judge won the American League MVP Award. He was also named to the 2022 All-MLB Team. Judge's 2022 season is seen as one of the best hitting seasons in baseball history. He was also named "Male Athlete of the Year" by The Associated Press (AP) and Time Magazine Athlete of the Year.
The Yankees made it to the playoffs. They beat the Cleveland Guardians in five games. But they lost to the Houston Astros in the ALCS.
After the 2022 season, Judge became a free agent. The Yankees offered him a new contract. Other teams like the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants also wanted him. Judge signed a nine-year, $360 million deal with the Yankees. This was the largest free agent deal in MLB history at the time. On December 21, 2022, the Yankees named Judge their 16th captain. He was the first captain since Derek Jeter retired.
2023: Captain and Injuries
On 2023 MLB Opening Day, Judge played his first regular season game as the Yankees' captain. He hit his first home run of the year in his first at-bat.
Judge was on the injured list for a short time in April due to a hip injury. He returned to play in May. Judge won the AL Player of the Week Award in May. He also won the AL Player of the Month Award for May, hitting 12 home runs in 21 games.
On June 3, Judge crashed into an outfield wall at Dodger Stadium while making a great catch. He sprained his toe and missed 42 games. Even with the injury, Judge was chosen for the All-Star Game, but he could not 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 less than a month later on September 22. He was 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 to reach 250 home runs in MLB history, doing it in 810 games. This broke records set by Ryan Howard and Ralph Kiner.
Even though he missed 56 games, Judge hit 37 home runs in 2023. He had a .267 batting average and an on-base plus slugging percentage over 1.000 for the second year in a row. The Yankees did not make the playoffs in 2023.
Judge received the Roberto Clemente Award before Game 3 of the World Series. This award is for players who show great character and do charity work. Judge was also named to the All-MLB Team for the third year in a row. As captain, Judge talked with Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner about the team's future.
2024: MVP and AL Pennant
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Judge started the 2024 season slowly after an injury in spring training. He mostly played center field early in the season. He also played left field for the first time in MLB. By late April, he started playing much better.
On May 4, Judge was ejected from a game for the first time in his career after arguing with an umpire. Judge was selected as the AL Player of the Week for May 19. He also won the AL Player of the Month for May, hitting 14 home runs. This was his seventh AL Player of the Month award. He also played his first series at Oracle Park against the San Francisco Giants, hitting three home runs.
For the week ending June 9, Judge received his second AL Player of the Week award for 2024. By the end of June, Judge led MLB in home runs (31), RBI (82), and OPS (1.144). He won the AL Player of the Month Award again in June.
On June 27, Judge was announced as a starting outfielder for the AL in the All-Star Game. He received the most votes for the second time in three seasons.
On August 2, Judge hit his 40th home run of the season and his 100th RBI. On August 14, Judge hit his 300th career home run. He became the fastest player to ever hit 300 home runs, doing it in 955 games. He also became the second hitter to reach 300 home runs before his 1,000th hit.
He hit his 50th and 51st home runs of the season on August 25. This made him the fifth player in MLB history with three or more seasons of 50 or more home runs. Judge won the AL Player of the Week award again. On August 26, Judge got his 1,000th career hit. Judge received the August AL Player of the Month Award, his third of the season.
On September 13, Judge hit a go-ahead grand slam. This ended a 16-game streak without a home run, his longest in MLB. The grand slam helped the Yankees win the game after being behind.
The Yankees won the ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians in five games. Judge hit two home runs in that series. In his first World Series, Judge hit his first World Series home run in Game 5. However, the Yankees lost the game and the series. After the season, Judge won the AL MVP Award. He was the second Yankee player to win the award unanimously.
2025: More Records
On March 29, 2025, Judge hit three home runs and a double with eight RBI. This was his third career three-homer game. On March 31, Judge was named the AL Player of the Week for the first week of the season. On April 3, Judge got his 500th career extra-base hit with a three-run home run. He was the third-fastest Yankee to reach this milestone. In the same game, Judge became the first player in MLB history with 5 home runs and 15 RBI in his team's first 6 games. On April 4, playing in his 1,000th game for the Yankees, Judge hit his 321st home run. This tied Babe Ruth's record for home runs in his first 1,000 Yankees games. By the end of April, Judge had a .427 batting average, 10 home runs, and 32 RBI. He won the AL Player of the Month Award for April, his tenth career award. On May 30, Judge and Shohei Ohtani became the first reigning MVPs to each hit a home run in the first inning of the same game. Judge won the AL Player of the Month again in May 2025.
On June 26, Judge was announced as a starting outfielder for the AL in the All-Star Game. He received the most votes for the third time in four seasons. On July 12, Judge hit his 350th career home run. He became the fastest player to reach this mark, doing it in 1,088 games. This broke Mark McGwire's record of 1,280 games.
International Play
On April 14, 2025, Aaron Judge was named captain of Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. He was very excited to represent his country.
Amazing Records and Awards
New York Yankees Team 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 one season.
- Most home runs (4) in his 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 (in the 147th team game).
- First to hit three home runs in a game twice in one season.
- Equal most home runs in first 1,000 games with the Yankees: 321 (tied with Babe Ruth).
American League 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).
Major League Baseball 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).
- Fastest to reach 350 career home runs (1,088 games).
Awards and Honors
- 13× American League Player of the Week
- 11× 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)
- 7× MLB All-Star
- 4× Silver Slugger Award (2017, 2021, 2022, 2024)
- 2× AL Hank Aaron Award (2022, 2024)
- Fielding Bible Award (2021)
- 2x American League MVP (2022, 2024)
- 3× All-MLB First Team (outfield) (2021, 2022, 2024)
- All-MLB Second Team (outfield) (2023)
- The Associated Press (AP) Male Athlete of the Year (2022)
- TIME Athlete of the Year (2022)
- Hickok Belt (2022)
- Sporting News Player of the Year (2022)
- Roberto Clemente Award (2023)
Uniform Number 99
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Judge has worn the unusual uniform number 99 since 2016 spring training. Higher numbers are often given to young players who might not make the main team. Judge had said he would have preferred numbers 44 or 35.
MLB created "Players Weekend" to let players show their personality. Players could wear special jerseys and put their nicknames on the back. In 2017, Judge chose "All Rise" as his nickname. This nickname was given to him by a former teammate. For the 2019 Players Weekend, Judge chose "BAJ," which stands for "Big Aaron Judge."
Player Style and Habits
Judge is listed at 6 feet 7 inches and 282 pounds. Because of his large size and strength, people compare him to other strong players like Giancarlo Stanton.
Pregame Rituals
Judge is known as a leader for his team, both on and off the field. He has some special routines before, during, and after games. Before each game at Yankee Stadium, Judge 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 2017 rookie season, Judge kept a note on his phone that said ".179." This was his batting average from 2016. He looked at it every day to stay motivated.
Outside of Baseball
Helping Others
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 January 2024, the foundation held an event that raised almost $800,000 for youth programs in New York City.
Endorsements and Appearances
Early in his career, Judge had deals with companies like Rawlings and Under Armour. After his great 2017 season, Judge signed a deal with Pepsi. He later signed with Adidas in 2018. In August 2023, Judge signed a shoe deal with Nike's Jordan Brand. In March 2024, Judge became the face of a new Ralph Lauren cologne. In April 2024, Judge partnered with the energy drink Prime. For the 2023 season, Yankee Stadium sold "The 99 Burger," named after Judge's uniform number.
Judge appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine in May 2017. He also appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. In 2017, he was named the cover athlete for the video game MLB The Show 18. In 2024, Judge and his two pet dachshunds were guest stars on an episode of Rubble & Crew, a cartoon show. His wife even voiced their dog Penny.
Personal Life
Judge is a Methodist and has shared about his faith online. He has two pet dachshund dogs named Gus and Penny.
Judge married Samantha Bracksieck in December 2021 in Hawaii. They met in high school and both went to Fresno State University. Their first child, a daughter, was born in January 2025.
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
