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New York Yankees: Aaron Judge Impresses in Spring Training

By Nick Ziegler

Feb 19, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) jogs during the spring training workout at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) jogs during the spring training workout at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Yankees started Spring Training on a very positive note with a big win against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Coming into the 2017 season, the New York Yankees have a different feel around the team. Instead of World Series or bust expectations, the Yankees are looking to develop some of their young talents.

Last season, we saw that young talent begin to be on display. Catcher Gary Sanchez was the most notable prospect to come up and have instant success. Sanchez didn’t win the Rookie of the Year award, but he had a historic stretch of play when he was called up.

In addition to Sanchez being called up, the Yankees also called up outfielder Aaron Judge. Like Sanchez, Yankees fans had heard of Judge for a few years, as it is hard to hide a 6’7” prospect in the minors.

There aren’t too many baseball players that look like Judge, as he looks like he should be playing defensive end in the NFL or power forward in the NBA. With that freakish size has come a lot of power.

Judge projects to be a player that can hit 30 home runs in a season easily for the Yankees. In 2016, we did see that power on display. However, we saw the downside of a power hitter, and that was being prone to strikeouts.

In 2016, Judge totaled a .179 batting average, four home runs, 10 RBIs, and 42 strikeouts in 27 games. Coming into Spring Training, Judge has some pressure to impress. This offseason, Judge has worked hard to improve and solidify his spot as the starting right fielder.

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On Friday afternoon, Judge looked good in the Yankees’ first spring training game. In the fifth inning, Judge hit a moonshot to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead at the time.

After striking out in his first at-bat, it was good to see Judge not have his confidence rattled early on. Even though it is just spring training, it is important for a young player like Judge to have success. As a big part of the Yankees’ future, it looks like Judge has certainly improved this offseason.

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