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.
Pitching Powers Chiefs Past Timber Rattlers, 3-1
PEORIA, IL – The Peoria Chiefs pitched their way past the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Wednesday afternoon to record a 3-1 win at Dozer Park Just a day after walking 15 Wisconsin batters, Chiefs starter Jose Davila gave the club a much-needed gem. The 22-year-old tossed five scoreless innings to
Bullpen Struggles Doom Chiefs on Tuesday
PEORIA, IL – The Peoria Chiefs fell on Tuesday in the series opener to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, 14-9, after a seven-run seventh inning by Wisconsin. The Chiefs held leads of 5-0 and 8-3 but the bullpen could not keep the home club in front. Peoria pitching issued 15 walks
Chiefs Fall Despite Late Push Against Beloit
PEORIA, IL – A furious eighth-inning rally brought the Peoria Chiefs within striking distance on Sunday afternoon, but the Beloit Sky Carp held on for an 11-7 win at Dozer Park in the series finale. Down 10-2 entering the bottom of the eighth inning, Peoria sent ten men to the
Chiefs Take Advantage of Beloit Miscues, Win 6-2
PEORIA, IL – The Peoria Chiefs secured their second consecutive win Saturday night, capitalizing on five Beloit errors in a 6-2 win at Dozer Park. The Chiefs jumped out early in the bottom of the first inning. Back-to-back singles from Jon Jon Gazdar and Joshua Baez set the table, and
Rincon Dazzles in Nightcap, Chiefs Split Doubleheader
PEORIA, IL - The Peoria Chiefs and the Beloit Sky Carp split a twin bill on Friday at Dozer Park. Beloit used a sensational diving grab from shortstop Payton Green to escape with a 4-3 win in game one. In game two, the Chiefs got a measure of revenge, winning
Chiefs-Sky Carp Postponed on Thursday
PEORIA, IL - Due to wet grounds, Thursday’s contest between the Peoria Chiefs and the Beloit Sky Carp has been postponed. The two clubs will play a doubleheader on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. at Dozer Park. Starting pitchers for Friday’s twinbill are to be determined. Fans
Missed Chances Cost Chiefs in 4-3 Loss
PEORIA, IL - The Peoria Chiefs came up just short on Wednesday night, falling to the Beloit Sky Carp 4-3 in a game defined by missed opportunities. The two teams combined to leave 23 runners on base, including 13 by the Chiefs. Peoria had multiple chances to break the game
Sky Carp Rally Past Chiefs in Slugfest, 13-9
PEORIA, IL - A fast start wasn’t enough for the Peoria Chiefs on Tuesday afternoon, as the Beloit Sky Carp used a barrage of late offense to rally for a 13-9 win at Dozer Park. Nine unanswered runs from the fourth inning on helped the Sky Carp take the opener
Bandits Edge Chiefs in Pitchers' Duel
DAVENPORT, IA – Behind another quality pitching effort, the Quad Cities River Bandits inched past the Chiefs 2-1 on Sunday. The River Bandits, who lead all of Minor League Baseball in ERA, held Peoria to just three hits in the series finale. Over the course of the week, Quad Cities
Salazar's Heroics Deliver Chiefs to 2-1 Win in Extras
DAVENPORT, IA – The Peoria Chiefs needed a feel-good win and they got one on Saturday. Johnfrank Salzar’s go-ahead double in the top of the 10th inning vaulted the Chiefs to the lead for good in a 2-1 win at Quad Cities. Peoria was staring a defeat in the face
River Bandits Knock off Chiefs on Friday
DAVENPORT, IA – The Peoria Chiefs fell to the Quad Cities River Bandits on Friday night at Modern Woodmen Park, falling in a 13-4 decision. Quad Cities racked up 18 hits to claim their second win in as many nights. It was a tough outing for Chiefs starter Jose Davila,
Bats Fall Silent in 5-0 Loss Thursday
DAVENPORT, IA – Just a day after the Chiefs held Quad Cities to two hits in a win on Wednesday, the River Bandits returned the favor on Thursday, limiting the Chiefs to two hits in a 5-0 victory. Quad Cities starter Hunter Patteson led the way with a dominant outing.
Peoria Bullpen Dominates in 5-1 Win at Quad Cities
DAVENPORT, IA – The Peoria Chiefs bullpen did not allow a hit over five shutout innings in a 5-1 win at Quad Cities on Wednesday. Right-hander Gerardo Salas set the tone early, scattering just one run over four solid innings. From there, the trio of D.J. Carpenter, Benjamin Arias and
Errors Costly as Chiefs Drop Series Opener to Quad Cities
DAVENPORT, IA – The Peoria Chiefs couldn’t overcome a tough night defensively, falling 10-3 to the Quad Cities River Bandits in the opener of a six-game series Tuesday at Modern Woodmen Park. Peoria committed five errors in the loss, as Quad Cities took advantage at nearly every turn. A brief
Chiefs-Kernels Banged on Sunday, Make-Up to be Determined
PEORIA, IL – Sunday’s series finale against the Cedar Rapids Kernels was postponed due to rain. The game will be returned to Cedar Rapids, as the Kernels do not return to Peoria in the first half of the season. The make-up date is to be determined. Tickets for Sunday’s game
Kernels Sweep Pair from Chiefs
PEORIA, IL – The Cedar Rapids Kernels swept a doubleheader from the Chiefs on Saturday, winning 13-6 in the completion of Friday’s suspended game and 4-1 in the nightcap at Dozer Park. GAME ONE: The Peoria Chiefs fell to Cedar Rapids, 13–6, in game one of Saturday’s doubleheader, a contest
Rain Halts Play at Dozer Park Friday Night
PEORIA, IL – Friday night’s game between the Peoria Chiefs and Cedar Rapids Kernels was suspended in the top of the fourth inning due to rain. Play was halted at 8:08 p.m. and officially suspended at 9:14 p.m., with the Kernels leading 8–3 with two outs in the fourth. The
Bullpen Dazzles, Offense Stays Hot in 9-4 Win
PEORIA, IL – The Chiefs bullpen scattered just one earned tally over 7 ⅓ innings on Thursday, while the Peoria offense again brought the lumber in a 9-4 triumph over the Cedar Rapids Kernels. Peoria got a lift from a new face in former Kernels pitcher Ricardo Velez. The right-hander
Kernels Edge Chiefs in Seesaw Affair
PEORIA, IL – The Peoria Chiefs fell short on Wednesday night, losing 8–7 in 11 innings to the Cedar Rapids Kernels at Dozer Park. Despite an early lead and a big offensive response in the middle innings, the Chiefs couldn’t hold off the Kernels' late push. Peoria struck first in
Chiefs Plate Six Unanswered, Pop Kernels
PEORIA, IL – After falling behind early on Tuesday, the Chiefs took control and scored six unanswered tallies to best the Cedar Rapids Kernels 6-2 at Dozer Park. Peoria starting hurler Darlin Saladin punched out a pair of Cedar Rapids batters to begin the game before the Kernels turned in
Chiefs Outslug Cubs to Take Series Finale
SOUTH BEND, IN – The Peoria Chiefs survived a wild seven-run seventh inning from the South Bend Cubs and held on for an 11–9 win on Sunday afternoon to take the series finale. With the win, Peoria improved to 2–7 on the season. Peoria carried a 9–1 lead into the
Chiefs Claim First Win, Split Doubleheader
SOUTH BEND, IN – After falling in game one of Saturday’s doubleheader by a final score of 4-2, the Chiefs earned their first win of the season by doubling up the South Bend Cubs 4-2 in the nightcap. With the win, Peoria snapped a seven-game slide to open the season.
Adkison Provides Power, Cubs Rally Past Chiefs
SOUTH BEND, IN – A Chase Adkison blast staked the Chiefs out to an early lead Friday, but the Cubs again rallied past Peoria in a 4-3 defeat at Four Winds Field. South Bend starter Nick Dean cruised through a 1-2-3 first inning. In the top of the second, the
Late Homer Lifts Cubs Past Chiefs
SOUTH BEND, IN – In a game that featured just six hits, Cristian Hernandez delivered a timely blast to propel the South Bend Cubs over the Peoria Chiefs 3-2 on Thursday. With the game tied at two in the bottom of the eighth inning, the Cubs jumped back on top
Chiefs-Cubs Postponed Wednesday
South Bend, IN – Wednesday’s tilt between the Peoria Chiefs and the South Bend Cubs was postponed due to rainy and snowy conditions. The game will be made up on Saturday, April 12 as part of a doubleheader. Game one will now start at 2:05 p.m EDT/1:05 p.m. CDT. Peoria’s