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.
Jones secures second-straight walk off against Cubs
TOLEDO, OH - The Toledo Mud Hens earned their second-straight walk off with a 2-1 victory against the Iowa Cubs Wednesday afternoon. Toledo struggled to bring in runners throughout the game, but their excellent pitching kept them in it. On his second rehab game as the designated hitter, Matt Vierling
Hens walk it off in dramatic fashion in Tuesday win to Iowa
Toledo, OH – The Toledo Mud Hens defeated the Iowa Cubs in Game 1 of the homestand on May 6 in 10 innings, securing a 5-4 walk-off victory. The Hens sent right-handed pitcher Wilkel Hernandez (1-0, 2.70 ERA) to the mound, while the Cubs countered with fellow righty Peter Solomon
Mud Hens power past Red Sox to win series finale
Worcester, MA-The Toledo Mud Hens wrapped up their six-game series against the Worcester Red Sox on Sunday, May 4, at Polar Park with a hard-fought 7-3 win. Toledo got the offense rolling in the top of the third when catcher Brian Serven launched a solo shot over the left field
Four home runs and strong relief power Hens over WooSox
TOLEDO, OH – The Toledo Mud Hens defeated the Worcester Red Sox 7-2 on Saturday afternoon at Polar Park. John Brebbia took the mound on Major League Rehab Assignment for the Mud Hens, while Brian Van Belle slung the pill for the WooSox. Toledo threatened right away, as a leadoff
Baddoo, Navigato club home runs in loss to WooSox
Toledo, OH – The Toledo Mud Hens fell to the Worcester Red Sox 5-2 on Friday night at Polar Park. Keider Montero took the mound for the Mud Hens, while Cooper Criswell toed the rubber for the WooSox. After a scoreless first inning, Worcester found the score column first in
Jones homers in Toledo's first loss in eight games
WORCESTER, MA - Looking to get their ninth-straight win, the Toledo Mud Hens fell short to the Worcester WooSox 7-4. Toledo fell behind early, but always stayed within reach of Worcester’s lead. Standing in the way of the Mud Hens’ quest for nine-straight was Worcester’s Shane Drohan. Drohan has been
Back-to-back bombs and big defense fuels eighth straight victory for Toledo
Worcester, MA-The Toledo Mud Hens took on the Worcester Red Sox in game two of their six game set at Polar Park on Wednesday, April 30. The Hens defense made their presence known early, turning a clutch 9-3 double play in the bottom of the second to cut down a
Serven's four hit night and strong pitching gives Toledo the edge over Worcester
Worcester, MA-The Toledo Mud Hens opened their series against the Worcester Red Sox on Tuesday, April 29, at Polar Park, securing a 4-2 win behind timely hitting and solid pitching. First pitch was at 6:05 p.m. Brewer Hicklen led off the game for Toledo and worked a four-pitch walk. He
Mud Hens blank Storm Chasers, complete six-game sweep
Toledo, OH-The Toledo Mud Hens wrapped up their series against the Omaha Storm Chasers on Sunday, April 27, at Fifth Third Field, with first pitch at 2:05 p.m. Toledo got the offense rolling in the bottom of the second inning. Riley Unroe sparked the rally with a single to right
Mud Hens take both games in doubleheader against Storm Chasers
Game One: TOLEDO, OH - The Toledo Mud Hens put up a crooked number early against the Omaha Storm Chasers, leading to a 3-1 victory. Toledo’s pitching staff combined for ten strikeouts and left eight Storm Chasers stranded on base. With a shortened game, Toledo opted to go with Bailey
Jones, Seelinger star in victory over Omaha
Toledo, OH – The Toledo Mud Hens defeated the Omaha Storm Chasers 8-4 on Wednesday night at Fifth Third Field, taking a 2-0 series lead. Dietrich Enns toed the rubber for the Mud Hens while Luinder Avila took the ball for the Storm Chasers. Omaha wasted no time, as former
Jones walks it off in third straight win against Omaha
Toledo, OH – The Toledo Mud Hens defeated the Omaha Storm Chasers on Thursday night at Fifth Third Field as they won their third straight game in walk-off fashion. The final score was 4-3. Toledo sent right-hander Wilkel Hernandez to the mound, entering the game 0-0, and a 4.32 ERA.
Mud Hens earn gritty 9-8 walk-off win over Storm Chasers
TOLEDO, OH - The Toledo Mud Hens and the Omaha Storm Chasers took the first of their six-game series into a thirteenth inning walk-off win for the Hens Tuesday night. Toledo would ultimately earn the 9-8 victory as they turned to Riley Unroe for pretty much all of their needs.
Mud Hens’ rally falls short in final game against Indians
Indianapolis, IN-The Toledo Mud Hens wrapped up their road trip against the Indianapolis Indians on Sunday, April 20, with first pitch being delivered at 1:35 p.m. Indianapolis came out swinging in the bottom of the first, with Nick Solak launching a two-run homer to left-center-with no outs. Matt Gorski followed
Lockhart earns five strikeouts in duel with No. 14 prospect
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The Toledo Mud Hens fell 6-2 to the Indianapolis Indians Saturday night after the Indians broke the game open in the sixth inning. The Hens held their ground in an early-game pitching duel, but things fell apart after Lael Lockhart left the mound. Toledo tried to rally
Hernandez earns eight strikeouts in 5-4 loss in extras
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The Toledo Mud Hens lost 5-4 to the Indianapolis Indians in Friday night’s 11 inning matchup. Toledo jumped out to an early lead thanks to two big swings of the bat and the efforts of Wilkel Hernandez who would end his day with eight strikeouts. After going
Baddoo and Serven’s 3-hit night not enough as Mud Hens lose to Indians
Indianapolis, IN-The Toledo Mud Hens squared off against the Indianapolis Indians on Thursday night, April 17, at Victory Field, with first pitch set for 6:35 p.m. The Mud Hens got the bats going early, as veteran outfielder Ben Gamel led off Toledo’s hit column with a single in the top
Mud Hens battle in extra-innings, fall short to Indians 5-4
INDIANAPOLIS, IN-The Toledo Mud Hens squared off against the Indianapolis Indians on Wednesday, April 16, at Victory Field, with first pitch at 11:05 a.m. Hao-Yu Lee sparked the offense early with a leadoff single to left field, but the Mud Hens’ opening momentum was cut short by an inning-ending double
Hens fall 2-0 in series finale with Cubs
TOLEDO, OH - The Toledo Mud Hens dropped their series finale against the Iowa Cubs 2-0 Sunday afternoon. While pitching remained resilient for Toledo, their struggles on offense left them scoreless. Looking to secure a series tie, the Mud Hens went with Lael Lockhart on the mound. The southpaw came