Photos: Aaron Judge through the years in MiLB
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:
Danny Wild is an editor for MiLB.com.
RiverDogs deliver late to defeat Columbia in pitchers’ duel
CHARLESTON, SC - For the first time this season, the Charleston RiverDogs overcame an early deficit to beat the Columbia Fireflies 3-2 on Wednesday night at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park, in front of a crowd of 2,718 fans. Now sitting at 12-17, the RiverDogs have a 2-0 lead in
Voelker, RiverDogs twirl shutout to open homestand
CHARLESTON, SC – The RiverDogs rode five shutout innings from Jayden Voelker to a shutout victory, defeating the Columbia Fireflies 4-0 on Tuesday night at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park in front of 4,172 fans. After a quick five-pitch first inning from Voelker, Charleston (now 11-17) struck in the opening
Homestand Preview: Seniors, Gophers and Minecraft – oh my!
Following a two-week road trip, the RiverDogs return to Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park to kick off the month of May, in which the team will play 18 of their 27 games at home. Charleston welcomes the Columbia Fireflies to town May 6-11 to open a stretch of 12 straight
RiverDogs cap two-week road trip with doubleheader sweep
LYNCHBURG, VA – The Charleston RiverDogs snapped their seven-game losing streak in grand fashion, sweeping the Lynchburg Hillcats in a doubleheader on Sunday afternoon at Bank of the James Stadium. The RiverDogs won game one 3-1 and game two 7-1. In game one, the RiverDogs struck first in the second
RiverDogs, Hillcats rained out Saturday
LYNCHBURG, VA -- The Charleston RiverDogs and Lynchburg Hillcats game scheduled for Saturday night has been postponed due to inclement weather at Bank of the James Stadium. The two teams will wrap up their six-game series with a doubleheader on Sunday afternoon, with first pitch set for 1:00 p.m. Both
RiverDogs drop seventh straight in 6-0 loss to Hillcats
LYNCHBURG, VA — The Charleston RiverDogs’ struggles on the road continued Friday night, as they fell 6-0 to the Lynchburg Hillcats at Bank of the James Stadium. Charleston was held to just one hit in the contest, extending their losing streak to seven games and dropping their record to 8-17
Alfaro, Lynchburg pitching grounds RiverDogs offense
LYNCHBURG, VA -- The Lynchburg Hillcats cracked RiverDogs starter Trevor Harrison early and received five strong innings from Jervis Alfaro to take an 8-2 win on Thursday night at Bank of the James Stadium. The defeat is Charleston’s (8-16) sixth consecutive loss – marking the second time this year the
RiverDogs announce Senior Night, Wedding Night Wild Card Wednesday promotions
Charleston, SC – The Charleston RiverDogs have announced their two Wicked Weed Wild Card Wednesday promotions for their upcoming 12-game homestand: Senior Night on May 7 and Wedding Night on May 14 at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park. Senior Night, a celebration of aging for the ages, is set for
Hillcats’ homers sink RiverDogs
LYNCHBURG, VA - RiverDogs’ second baseman Jack Lines blasted his first career home run, but Lynchburg used two longballs to defeat the RiverDogs 7-4 on Wednesday night at Bank of the James Stadium. The RiverDogs (8-15) have now lost five consecutive games. The Hillcats drew first blood in the second
RiverDogs drop back-and-forth battle in first meeting with Hillcats
LYNCHBURG, VA -- The RiverDogs battled back from a first-inning deficit but ultimately dropped the series opener to the Lynchburg Hillcats 6-5 on a blustery Tuesday night at Bank of the James Stadium. The loss is Charleston’s fourth consecutive, dropping the team’s record to 8-14. The Hillcats, a Guardians affiliate,
RiverDogs’ defense falters in finale with Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg, VA -- The RiverDogs squandered a late three-run lead as Fredericksburg walked off Charleston 6-5 in 10 innings on Sunday afternoon at Virginia Credit Union Ballpark. With the defeat, the RiverDogs drop to 8-13 on the year and lose the series in Fredericksburg 4-2. The Nationals capitalized on three
Vaquero drives in four to lead Fredericksburg past 'Dogs
Fredericksburg, VA -- The RiverDogs claimed an early lead, but Fredericksburg outfielder Cristhian Vaquero drove in four runs and Charleston’s bats fell silent late in a 5-3 loss on Saturday night at Virginia Credit Union Stadium. The RiverDogs tallied the game’s first run in the top of the first, as
Fredericksburg capitalizes on late miscues to race past ‘Dogs
Fredericksburg, VA -- The Fredericksburg Nationals scored seven unanswered runs to close the game and down the RiverDogs 8-1 on Friday night at Virginia Credit Union Stadium. The loss evens the series at two games apiece. Fredericksburg struck first in the bottom of the second inning via Jackson Ross’ solo
Harrison, RiverDogs shutout FredNats
Fredericksburg, VA -- The RiverDogs’ bats came to life early to support a shutout pitching effort in a 6-0 win over the Fredericksburg Nationals on Thursday night at Virginia Credit Union Stadium. With the win, Charleston improves to 8-10 and pulls ahead in the series two games to one. After
Hujsak's three RBIs lead RiverDogs past FredNats
FREDERICKSBURG, VA -- The Charleston RiverDogs rallied late and used a strong bullpen performance to secure a 6-2 road win over the Fredericksburg Nationals on Wednesday afternoon at Virginia Credit Union Stadium. This win puts the RiverDogs at 7-10 on the season and ties the series against the Nationals at
RiverDogs, Anastopoulo Law Firm Announce Multi-Year Community-Focused Partnership
Charleston, S.C. – The Charleston RiverDogs are proud to announce the launch of a new multi-year partnership with the Anastopoulo Law Firm, focused on supporting the community and helping to make Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park a safer place. The partnership centers around two core elements: 1. “Partners in Safety”
RiverDogs drop opener in Fredericksburg
FREDERICKSBURG, VA -- The Fredericksburg Nationals jumped on the RiverDogs early, scoring all four of their runs in the first two innings, to down Charleston 4-2 in the series opener on Tuesday at Virginia Credit Union Stadium. With the defeat, the RiverDogs fall to 6-10 on the season. After Charleston
Montzingo brothers added to Legends in the South game roster
Charleston, SC - The RiverDogs have added two standout influencers to their Legends in the South softball game roster, brothers Peet and Andrew Montzingo. The annual charity softball game, presented by The Marino Family, is scheduled for June 6 at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park. Peter “Peet” Montzingo is an
RiverDogs no-hit bid falls short, Crawdads come back in series finale
The Hickory Crawdads used a six-run eighth inning rally to overcome another strong RiverDogs’ pitching performance to steal the series finale 7-5 on Sunday at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park in front of 3,318 fans. With the loss, the RiverDogs’ settle for a four games to two series win and
Pitching prowess leads RiverDogs to series win
Charleston, SC -- The RiverDogs clinched their first series win of the season, shutting out the Hickory Crawdads 3-0 in front of 4,732 fans on Saturday night at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park. The win is Charleston’s third straight. With a second straight shutout victory, the RiverDogs’ pitching staff has
RiverDogs victorious despite Hickory’s no hitter
Charleston, S.C.--In a rare feat, the RiverDogs went hitless, but defeated the Hickory Crawdads 1-0 on Friday night at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park. 4,415 fans witnessed the anomaly, which marked the first time since 2023 that a Minor League team was no-hit and still won. It is the first
RiverDogs hurlers deliver one-run gem to defeat Crawdads
Charleston, SC -- RiverDogs pitchers carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning, eventually holding Hickory to just one run in a 6-1 victory on Thursday night at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park. The win sent 5,506 fans home happy. Charleston starter and Rays No. 11 prospect Trevor Harrison had a
Hickory’s early rallies down RiverDogs
Charleston, SC -- The Hickory Crawdads rallied for five runs in the top of the first inning and never looked back, eventually defeating the RiverDogs 10-3 in front of 2,784 fans on Wednesday night at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park. RiverDogs’ starter Jayden Voelker had a tough go in his
Kmatz throws five scoreless innings as RiverDogs escape Crawdads
Behind timely pitching and clutch hitting, the RiverDogs hung on to defeat the Hickory Crawdads 3-2 on Tuesday night at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park, marking Charleston’s first home win of the season. Jacob Kmatz set the tone for a successful night for the RiverDogs pitching staff, hurling five shutout
Charleston Baseball Hall of Fame Releases 2025 Candidates
Charleston, SC -- The Charleston Baseball Hall of Fame’s advisory committee has released its candidates for the Class of 2025, and enshrinement will be conducted by voting from local fans. Online voting is limited to five total votes per participant. The committee also announced that fans will select two inductees