New York Yankees' prospect Aaron Judge stands at 6' 7" and weighs 275 pounds. The former first-round pick in the 2013 MLB Amateur Draft is making his way through the organization's farm system and he's impressing many along the way.
Judge started the 2015 season at Double-A Trenton after spending spring training with the Yankees. In 17 games (28 plate appearances) this spring, the 23-year-old slashed .273/.429/.455 with six runs scored, one home run and five RBIs. He has kept the ball rolling with the Trenton Thunder.
In 34 games with the Yankees' Double-A affiliate, Judge is batting .314/.370/.521/.892 with 21 runs scored, 6 home runs and 21 RBIs. The Thunder's hitting coach, P.J. Pilittere, has been pleased with his worth ethic and raves about his talent.
"The biggest [thing] that impresses me is his preparation," Pilittere told John DeMarzo of the New York Post. "He's a hard worker and always has been, but his preparation skills [in terms of] getting ready to face particular pitchers, it's all with a purpose. It's been impressive to see him improve.
"He's impressive in all areas. The size, stature and physical gifts are off the charts."
All of this doesn't come as too big a surprise. Judge is ranked as the Yankees' No. 2 prospect, according to Baseball America, and the site's scouting report provided after the 2014 season aligns with what the youngster is doing right now.
"Armed with 80 raw power on the 20-80 scale, Judge takes an impressive batting practice. But unlike most players his size, Judge's in-game approach is geared to hit over power. He's just as comfortable lining pitches to the opposite power alley as he is turning on a fastball on the inner-half. His swing is shorter than most players his size ... His tools are what scouts look for in a right fielder."
If Judge keeps progressing the way he is, it's possible he could reach Triple-A and then perhaps join the Yankees' 40-man roster in September to get some reps at the MLB level. After all, if Carlos Beltran continues to struggle (.234/.271/.387 with 10 runs scored, 2 home runs and 16 RBIs in 33 games), New York could use a young power hitter to provide another spark for their lineup late in the season.
"Aaron Judge has light-tower power. One home run recently reminded scouts of a Giancarlo Stanton drive. 'It had similar exit velocity,' one scout surmised," writes Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.
"Offensively, his swing is long and strong and his stride direction has improved," a scout told DeMarzo. "He looks like a .240-.250 type hitter with 25-plus homers. He will struggle with top-tier pitching but mid-to-bottom rotation stuff he should handle."
As for his defense...
"He's a good defender and should play an average-to-plus right field," the same scout said. "He really moves well for his size."
Even general manager Brian Cashman, who isn't too fond of talking up prospects and younger players, had revealing things to say about Judge.
"If he keeps doing this, then he is just going to force his way up," the GM said of Judge's potential promotion to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, via Andrew Marchand of ESPNNewYork.com. "It is not an if, it is a when."
Keep an eye out for Judge as he looks to make his way up to the Yankees' roster and be part of the youth movement that overtakes the Bronx in a few years.
