Globe iconLogin iconRecap iconSearch iconTickets icon

Photos: Aaron Judge through the years in MiLB

Reigning AL MVP looked a bit different in 2014 debut for Yankees
A look at Aaron Judge in 2022 with the Yankees and with the Charleston RiverDogs in April 2014. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images and Ashley Marshall/MiLB.com)
December 21, 2022

The biggest drama of the 2022 offseason turned out to not be that much of a surprise: American League MVP Aaron Judge agreed to stay in New York with the Yankees, the only team he's known since he was drafted in 2013. Judge's meteoric rise from first-round pick out of

The biggest drama of the 2022 offseason turned out to not be that much of a surprise: American League MVP Aaron Judge agreed to stay in New York with the Yankees, the only team he's known since he was drafted in 2013. Judge's meteoric rise from first-round pick out of Fresno State to his American League-record 62-homer season in 2022 helped earn him a massive nine-year, $360 million contract that gives him another impressive title: the highest-paid position player of all time.

Yankees fans could have only dreamed of that scenario when Judge took the field in April 2014 with the Class A Charleston RiverDogs, the Bronx Bombers' South Atlantic League affiliate that season. Judge wore No. 35 after debuting in Spring Training with No. 80 on his back. His number changed a few times over the course of his development -- he wore No. 49 with the Tampa Yankees, slid over to No. 47 in the Arizona Fall League and then No. 55 with Double-A Trenton before suiting up in his familiar No. 99 by the time he reached Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Take a look back at the journey that began in the spring of 2014:

Aaron Judge dons No. 80 for the spring at the Yanks' Minor League Complex on March 20, 2014.Mark LoMoglio/MiLB.com
Judge soaks in his first week in the Minors with Charleston on April 17, 2014 against Rome.Shane Roper/MiLB.com
Judges watches from the dugout on May 1, 2014 as Charleston takes on Augusta.Shane Roper/MiLB.com
The Charleston outfielder, batting vs. Lakewood here, wore No. 35 his first season.Ashley Marshall/MiLB.com
Judge plates two for the South squad in the 2014 Sally League All-Star Game on June 17.Tracy Proffitt/MiLB.com
The Yankees promoted Judge from Charleston to Class A Advanced Tampa on June 19, 2014.Cliff Welch/MiLB.com
Judge, seen batting against Bradenton on July 13, 2014, wore No. 59 with the Tampa Yankees.Cliff Welch/MiLB.com
The outfielder hit .283 with eight homers and 33 RBIs in 66 games with Tampa in 2014.Cliff Welch/MiLB.com
Wearing No. 47, Judge joined Scottsdale in the Arizona Fall League after his first Minor League season.MLB.com
The Yankees bumped Judge to Double-A Trenton to begin 2015. He debuted wearing No. 55.Kevin Pataky/MiLB.com
Judge, seen here in the dugout on April 29, spent about half the season in the Double-A Eastern League in 2015, hitting .284 with 12 homers and 44 RBIs in 63 games.Kevin Pataky/MiLB.com
As after a home win on June 18, 2015, the 6-foot-7 Judge wasn't hard to spot on the field.Rudy C. Jones/MiLB.com
New York promoted Judge to Triple-A on June 22, 2015 and the outfielder finally suited up in his now-iconic No. 99 for the RailRiders. He's seen here on June 29 at Lehigh Valley.Ken Inness/MiLB.com
Judge spent most of 2016 at Triple-A, hitting .270 with 19 homers and 65 RBIs in 93 games before his big league debut on Aug. 13. On April 8, 2016, he donned an in this unusual RailRiders uniform.Jim McGregor/MiLB.com
Judge bats at home for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on June 21, 2016.Jim McGregor/MiLB.com
Judge returned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on a rehab assignment for a left oblique strain, bringing along fellow outfielder Giancarlo Stanton. The pair posed here on June 15, 2019.Chris Robertson/MiLB.com
Fans lined up for Judge's autograph during a rehab outing in Durham on June 15, 2019.Chris Robertson/MiLB.com
Wool E. Bull saluted Judge during the outfielder's visit to Durham on June 15, 2019.Chris Robertson/MiLB.com

Danny Wild is an editor for MiLB.com.

Independence Day Weekend at Huntington Park

Spend your holiday weekend with the Clippers
May 28, 2025

Huntington Park is the place to be for the big holiday weekend. Lots going on! Special deals and giveaways, fireworks, and the biggest baseball you'll ever see. TICKETS FRIDAY, JULY 4 (4:05pm) Stars and Stripes Replica Jersey Giveaway presented by UBS Financial to the first 1,000 fans! The first 1,000

Packed Park for Historic Saturday Night

Parker Messick collected nine more strikeouts Saturday
July 5, 2025

COLUMBUS, OH – On Saturday Night at Huntington Park, the Columbus Clippers took center stage in the Arena District as nearly 10,000 fans packed the ballpark to see the Clippers drop a close one to Toledo, 2-1. Fans got to be part of history by signing the World's Most Autographed

Independence Day Weekend Underway in Columbus

Over 8,200 fans turn out for the 4th of July contest
July 4, 2025

COLUMBUS, OH – America's team, the Columbus Clippers, were home for the 4th of July. Over 8,200 fans turned out on a hot sunny Friday afternoon to watch the Clippers fall to the Toledo Mud Hens, 5-1. Chase DeLauter singled in the 3rd inning. He has reached base safely in

Clippers Head Home After Another Win in Toledo

Petey Halpin goes yard again
July 4, 2025

TOLEDO, OH – The Columbus Clippers are just 1.0 game out of 1st place in the International League after defeating the Toledo Mud Hens on Thursday, 3-1. Starting pitcher Aaron Davenport (2-1) was masterful, striking out seven batters over 6.0 innings while allowing just one run on four hits to

Brito Hits Grand Slam as Clippers Crush Hens

Blowout victory Wednesday night for Columbus
July 2, 2025

TOLEDO, OH – The Columbus Clippers won in very impressive fashion Wednesday evening in Toledo, defeating the Mud Hens 13-0. All nine Clippers in the lineup collected at least one hit, while four pitchers combined to shut out Toledo on just three hits. The game was scoreless until the top

Petey Goes Deep But Clippers Fall to Hens

Clippers drop first game in July
July 1, 2025

TOLEDO, OH – The first game in July didn't go as planned for the Clippers on Tuesday, as Columbus lost to the Mud Hens, 4-1. The game marked the first of three before the two teams relocate to the state capital on Independence Day this Friday. Center fielder Petey Halpin

Two Clippers Selected to MLB Futures Game

C.J. Kayfus & Parker Messick will represent the Clippers in Atlanta
June 30, 2025

COLUMBUS, OH – Rosters for the 2025 All-Star Futures Game were announced earlier today on MLB Network, and two current members of the Columbus Clippers will star in the nationally televised event. First baseman/outfielder C.J. Kayfus and starting pitcher Parker Messick are both excelling in their first season at the

Chase Still on the Case for Columbus

Clippers fall to Iowa in Sunday's series finale
June 29, 2025

DES MOINES, IA – Despite a 9-3 loss on Sunday, the Columbus Clippers depart Iowa with a 4-2 record as the first week of the "Second Half" concludes. One of the game's brightest young prospects, Chase DeLauter, knocked in another run in Sunday's game. He has reached base safely in

Clippers Beat Cubs Again on Saturday

Doug Nikhazy struck out seven to win for the fifth time this season
June 29, 2025

DES MOINES, IA – The Columbus Clippers won for the fourth time in five tries on their current road trip in Iowa, defeating the Cubs on Saturday night 4-2. Chase DeLauter and Yordys Valdes each went deep for the ClipShow.

Clippers Rally Late to Remain Undefeated

All nine Clippers get a hit to beat Cubs again
June 27, 2025

DES MOINES, IA – The Columbus Clippers won for the third time in as many tries this week, knocking off the Cubs 6-5 in a Thursday night thriller in Iowa. Columbus scored three times in the 9th to improve their record in the "Second Half" to 3-0. All nine Clippers

Another Slam for Kayfus Leads to Another Win

Kayfus makes history with grand slam in back-to-back games
June 25, 2025

DES MOINES, IA – The Columbus Clippers made a dramatic late-game comeback on Wednesday afternoon to defeat the Iowa Cubs for the second day in row. Trailing 7-1 through five innings, the Clippers stormed back to win, 8-7. The headliner was C.J. Kayfus, who became the first Clipper in at

Clippers Open Second Half by Demolishing Cubs

Tolentino broke open Tuesday's game with his 12th homer
June 24, 2025

DES MOINES, IA – Last year's "Second Half" Champions, the Columbus Clippers, opened the 2025 "Second Half" by crushing the Iowa Cubs, 12-0. The Clippers benefitted from another stellar outing from left-hander Parker Messick (4-2), who allowed just three hits over 6.0 scoreless innings. Nick Mikolajchak, Zak Kent, and Matt

Another Win for ClipShow on Sunday

Columbus and Indy battled each other and the heat on Sunday
June 22, 2025

COLUMBUS, OH – On a sweltering Sunday afternoon at Huntington Park, the Columbus Clippers knocked off Indianapolis, 8-6. The Columbus triumph sends the visitors home with just two wins in the six-game series. Indy jumped out to a modest 1-0 lead in the 1st, but the Clippers surged ahead with

Clippers Take Care of Business on Saturday

Cantillo and Davenport team up to stifle Indy Saturday
June 21, 2025

COLUMBUS, OH – The Columbus Clippers defeated Indianapolis on Saturday night at Huntington Park, 4-1. Columbus pitching was dominant all evening, as two hurlers combined to hold the visitors to just one run on four hits. Left-hander Joey Cantillo was outstanding over the game's first 3.1 innings, allowing just one

Full House Cheers Clippers to Victory

10,121 fans filled Huntington Park on Friday
June 20, 2025

COLUMBUS, OH – On Friday night in front of a packed Huntington Park, the Columbus Clippers defeated Indianapolis, 4-2. Indianapolis starting pitcher Thomas Harrington was perfect for the first 3 innings, but the Clippers got to him in the 4th when Brayan Rocchio tripled and came home to score on

Clippers Win One, Lose One Thursday

DeLauter continues to amaze Clippers fans
June 19, 2025

COLUMBUS, OH – After an early afternoon rain delay on Thursday, the Columbus Clippers resumed their suspended game against Indianapolis from the previous evening and ultimately won, 8-7. The regularly scheduled game did not go as planned, with the Clippers blowing a six-run lead to fall 8-6. In the resumption

Huge Crowd Cheers on Clippers Tuesday

Clippers come up short in series opener
June 17, 2025

COLUMBUS, OH – Over 10,000 fans packed Huntington Park for Tansky Tuesday Dime-A-Dog Night, and while most got plenty to eat, unfortunately they were not treated to a Clippers victory as Indianapolis won the series opener, 7-2. Indy struck first with a pair of runs in the 1st. A possible

Clippers Blow Open Pitchers' Duel in 10th

Bisons held to one hit through first 9 innings
June 15, 2025

BUFFALO, NY – The pitchers stole the show for most of Sunday's game in Buffalo, but the Columbus Clippers eventually broke the scoreless tie in the 10th inning with a seven-run explosion. Buffalo's attempt at a comeback in the bottom of the 10th fell short, and the Clippers depart town

Clippers Win Clash of Blue Jerseys

Velasquez strikes out seven to earn victory
June 14, 2025

BUFFALO, NY – The Columbus Clippers took care of business on "614 Day", defeating the Bisons at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, 6-1. Wearing their 1990's retro navy jerseys, the Clippers beat the royal blue-clad Bisons behind a dominant effort from starting hurler Vince Velasquez (3-2). He allowed just one run

Back-and-Forth Affair Friday in Buffalo

Bisons even series with 9th inning rally
June 13, 2025

BUFFALO, NY – The Columbus Clippers dropped a well-fought, back-and-forth style game Friday night in Buffalo, 6-5. It was a tall order this evening against rehabbing legend Max Scherzer. Buffalo's Joey Loperfido singled home the game's first run in the 1st inning. Then in the top of the 2nd, C.J.

Clippers Crush the Bisons on Thursday

Clippers lead the series with Buffalo two games to one
June 12, 2025

BUFFALO, NY – The Columbus Clippers rolled past the Bisons on Thursday in Buffalo, 7-1. Columbus homered four times in the game. Petey Halpin set the tone in the first at-bat of the night, blasting his sixth long ball of the season to right field.

Late rally carries Bisons past Clippers

Series evened 1-1
June 11, 2025

BUFFALO, NY – The Columbus Clippers lost Wednesday to the Buffalo Bisons, 5-2. The Clippers dented the plate first on an exciting play in the top of the 4th inning. Brayan Rocchio tripled off the right field wall, and was then able to score when the right fielder's throw hit

Clippers Win Series Opener in Buffalo

Huff knocks in winning run in 9th inning
June 10, 2025

BUFFALO, NY – The Columbus Clippers rallied late to defeat the Buffalo Bisons on Tuesday, 4-3. It was the first matchup in a six-game series at Sahlen Field. Will Wilson homered twice for the Clip Show, giving a much-needed boost upon his return to the Columbus lineup.

ClipShow Drops Finale against Toledo

Over 8,000 fans cheer on Clippers for Family Day
June 8, 2025

COLUMBUS, OH – The Columbus Clippers came up short Sunday in the series finale against the Toledo Mud Hens, losing by a score of 11-9. Overall though the Clippers took four games out of six versus their in-state rivals this week at Huntington Park. Columbus trailed from the get-go Sunday,

Clippers Bullpen Comes Through Saturday

Nearly 8,000 fans saw the Clippers clinch the series victory over Toledo
June 7, 2025

COLUMBUS, OH – The Columbus Clippers beat the Toledo Mud Hens 2-1 on Saturday evening at Huntington Park. Starter Ryan Webb had a rough first inning, giving up a run-scoring double and later taking a line drive off his leg. He finished the inning but was removed prior to the