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.
Homestand Preview: TPing, costume contests and spooks ahead for Summer Hallo-Week
If Spooky Season is your favorite season, you won’t need to wait until October to begin your festivities this year. The Charleston RiverDogs will host Summer Hallo-Week all week long at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park, May 27-June 1 as the team hopes to haunt the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers in
RiverDogs slug past Augusta to avoid sweep
NORTH AUGUSTA, SC – The RiverDogs used back-to-back big innings in the third and fourth innings to defeat Augusta 10-8 and avert a six-game sweep on Sunday night at SRP Park. The victory ends a seven-game losing streak for Charleston. The ‘Dogs have yet to be swept in a six-game
Guerra’s walk-off homer sinks 'Dogs in seventh straight loss
NORTH AUGUSTA, SC – The RiverDogs led by three runs entering the bottom of the ninth, but Augusta roared back with a four-run rally, capped off by a Mason Guerra walk-off home run to defeat Charleston 6-5 on Saturday night at SRP Park. The loss is the seventh straight for
RiverDogs storm back from late deficit, fall short at Augusta
NORTH AUGUSTA, SC – Despite trailing by seven runs in the sixth inning, the RiverDogs fought back for a late tie, but ultimately fell 13-11 to the Augusta GreenJackets on Friday night at SRP Park. The defeat is Charleston’s sixth consecutive defeat following a six-game win streak. Theo Gillen jumpstarted
Augusta bullpen stunts RiverDogs
NORTH AUGUSTA, SC – An early Augusta rally proved insurmountable for the RiverDogs, as they dropped their fifth consecutive game, 5-2, on Thursday night at SRP Park. The five-game skid for Charleston (19-23) directly follows a six-game win streak. For the first time in the series, the RiverDogs struck first.
RiverDogs comeback halted in walk-off loss
North Augusta, SC -- Trailing by four runs in the eighth inning, the RiverDogs rallied to tie the game, but lost in walk-off fashion to the Augusta GreenJackets, 5-4 on Wednesday night at SRP Park. The loss is Charleston’s fourth in a row and drops the team’s record to 19-22.
‘Jackets’ big fifth inning stings RiverDogs
NORTH AUGUSTA, SC -- Augusta’s five-run fifth inning proved to be too much for the RiverDogs to overcome, as Charleston dropped the series opener with the GreenJackets 6-4 on Tuesday night at SRP Park. Augusta manufactured the game’s first run in the bottom of the first inning. After singling to
Charleston Baseball Hall of Fame Releases 2025 Inductees
CHARLESTON, SC - The Charleston Baseball Hall of Fame’s advisory committee has released its inductees for the Class of 2025, with the enshrinement to be conducted on Father’s Day Sunday, June 15 before the Charleston RiverDogs 5:05 p.m. game against the Augusta GreenJackets at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park. This
RiverDogs close homestand with 5-3 extra-innings loss to Red Sox
The RiverDogs squandered a late-inning lead, as the Salem Red Sox snatched up a second straight comeback victory, 5-3 in 10 innings over Charleston on Sunday evening in front of 5,352 fans at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park. With the defeat, the RiverDogs finish their 12-game homestand 9-3 and fall
Salem snaps RiverDogs’ win streak with late rally
The Salem Red Sox used a three-run eighth inning to down the RiverDogs 4-2 on Saturday night at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park, ending Charleston’s six-game win streak. The game was played in front of 6,215 fans on the RiverDogs’ first Military Appreciation Night of the season. Salem scored first
Charleston edges Salem 10-8 in back-and-forth thriller
Charleston, S.C. -- The Charleston RiverDogs climbed over the .500 mark for the first time this season, beating the Salem Red Sox 10-8 in a see-saw battle on Friday night in front of 4,502 fans at Joseph P. Riley Park. The win is the RiverDogs’ sixth consecutive and clinches a
RiverDogs announce two additions to Hall of Honor
CHARLESTON, SC – The Charleston RiverDogs are set to induct two new members of the Military Hall of Honor on Saturday evening, part of the first Boeing Military Appreciation night of the season: Chaplain (Brigadier General) John Painter and Colonel Michael Freeman (retired). The pair will be inducted in an
RiverDogs win fifth straight to climb back to .500
Charleston, S.C. -- Behind six innings of one-run ball from Ryan Andrade, the RiverDogs defeated the Salem Red Sox 2-1 in front of a noisy crowd of 4,512 on Thursday night at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park. The win brings the RiverDogs to 18-18, reaching the .500 mark for the
RiverDogs lock up fourth straight victory
Charleston, SC -- Despite surrendering 10 hits, the RiverDogs pitching staff limited the Salem Red Sox to two runs to clinch a fourth straight win, 4-2 on Wednesday night at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park in front of 2,361 fans. The win brings Charleston to 17-18 - within a game
Voelker’s shutout effort keeps RiverDogs hot
Starter Jayden Voelker delivered five and two-thirds scoreless innings, and designated hitter Brailer Guerrero launched his second homer in as many games as the Charleston RiverDogs shutout the Salem Red Sox 5-0 in front of 2,623 fans at Joseph P.Riley, Jr. Park on Tuesday Night. Charleston (16-18) has now won
Narciso Polanco named Carolina League Player of the Week
CHARLESTON, SC – Major League Baseball has announced that RiverDogs infielder Narciso Polanco has been named the Carolina League Player of the Week for May 6-11. The award is the first weekly honor won by a RiverDog this season. Polanco, a native of Sanchez, Dominican Republic, finished the week with
Homestand Preview: Homestand Preview: Celebrations of love, Summer St. Patty’s, and Armed Forces on deck
The Charleston RiverDogs continue their season-long 12-game homestand May 13-18 at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park, as the team welcomes the Salem Red Sox for a six-game series. The week includes a giveaway for your four-legged friends, an on-field wedding, St. Patrick’s Day in the summer, and a recognition of
RiverDogs finish five-win week over Columbia
Outfielder Brailer Guerrero launched his first home run of the season, and starter Jacob Kmatz delivered six scoreless innings as the Charleston RiverDogs edged the Columbia Fireflies 3-2 on Sunday evening in front of 3,432 fans at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park. With the victory, the RiverDogs improved to 15-18
Narciso Polanco goes 5-for-5, RiverDogs offense explodes in 10-6 win
Third baseman Narciso Polanco went 5-for-5 with two RBIs and three stolen bases as the Charleston RiverDogs overpowered the Columbia Fireflies 10-6 on Saturday Night in front of 3,847 fans at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park. With the win, the RiverDogs improve to 14-18 on the season and hold a
Columbia thwarts late rally to snap RiverDogs win streak
CHARLESTON, SC -- The RiverDogs win streak was snapped at five games, as Columbia staved off a rain-delayed comeback attempt and defeated Charleston 3-2 on Friday night at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park in front of 4,340 fans. Columbia capitalized on a RiverDogs error to jump on the board in
Gillen’s big night propels ‘Dogs to fifth straight win
CHARLESTON, SC – Rays’ 2024 first round draft pick Theo Gillen drove in three runs, boosting the RiverDogs to a fifth consecutive victory as Charleston downed the Columbia Fireflies 5-1 on Thursday night in front of 5,176 fans at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park. For the second straight night, the
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