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.
Margot walks it off for 5-4 victory over Indianapolis
TOLEDO, OH - The Toledo Mud Hens walked it off against the Indianapolis Indians 5-4 Friday night and followed the celebration up with some Walleye highlights and some fireworks. Toledo struggled on offense early, but took care of business late. Pittsburgh’s No. 1 and MLB’s No. 2 prospect, Bubba Chandler,
Workman with two hits in Friday loss to Indy
Toledo, OH – The Toledo Mud Hens fell to the Indianapolis Indians on Friday night at Fifth Third Field, with a final score of 4-0. To start the game, Toledo sent right-handed pitcher Wilkel Hernandez (1-0, 2.16 ERA) to the mound, while Indianapolis countered with righty Carmen Mlodzinski (0-0, 0.00
Mud Hens take both games in Thursday night double-header
Toledo, OH-The Toledo Mud Hens and the Indianapolis Indians competed in a double-header on Thursday, May 22, at Fifth Third Field, with first pitch of game one coming at 5:35 p.m. Indianapolis got the bats going early with a two-out base hit from Nick Yorke in the top of the
Mud Hens earn 3-0 win after weather stops play at Fifth Third Field
Toledo, OH-The Toledo Mud Hens defeated the Indianapolis Indians 3-0 on Wednesday, May 21, at Fifth Third Field. Left-hander Nick Margevicius started on the mound for Toledo and would retire the side to kick off the game. Jace Jung worked a walk in the bottom of the first after a
Mud Hens overcome late RailRiders rally in series finale
SCRANTON, PA - The Toledo Mud Hens and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders had an offense driven series finale Sunday, ending in a 10-8 victory for the Mud Hens. Toledo got ahead early, but was forced to overcome a Scranton/Wilkes-Barre resurgence late. Getting the nod for the RailRiders in the series finale
Hernandez shines from the mound in 7-2 loss
SCRANTON, PA - Looking to reach .500 for the first time this season, the (21-22) Toledo Mud Hens fell to the (20-21) Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders 7-2. Toledo would take an early lead and hold onto it thanks to some impressive pitching, but fell late as the RailRiders’ bats warmed up. Following
Toledo takes game four against Scranton behind strong relief and timely hitting
Scranton, PA-The Toledo Mud Hens secured a 6-3 victory over the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders on Friday, May 16, under the lights at PNC Field. First pitch was at 6:35 p.m. Toledo came out aggressive at the plate, with Jake Rogers swinging at the first pitch and singling up the middle. However,
Nine Mud Hens record hits in 20-7 offensive explosion
Scranton, PA-The Toledo Mud Hens came out swinging on Thursday, May 15, as they faced off against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders at PNC Field. Toledo wasted no time getting on the board. Carlos Mendoza launched a solo homer in the top of the first to open the scoring. After back-to-back walks
Navigato and Lee go deep, but Mud Hens drop tight one to RailRiders
Scranton, PA-The Toledo Mud Hens dropped a hard fought matchup to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, falling 5-4 on Wednesday, May 14 at PNC Field. After a 90 minute rain delay, the RailRiders wasted no time getting on the board. Leadoff hitter Jesus Rodriguez opened the bottom of the first with a
Toledo dominates in 7-0 Tuesday win at Scranton
Scranton, PA – The Toledo Mud Hens defeated the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders on Tuesday night at PNC Field with a dominant 7-0 final. Toledo sent lefty Lael Lockhart to the mound for Game 1. Lockhart entered the game with an 0-3 record and a 5.17 ERA. The RailRiders countered with right-hander
Defensive battle leads to Sunday loss to Iowa
Toledo, OH – The Toledo Mud Hens fell to the Iowa Cubs in a defensive battle on Sunday afternoon at Fifth Third Field, splitting the six-game series 3-3 to close out the homestand. The final score was 3-1 in favor of Iowa. Starting on the mound for the Mud Hens
Toledo almost pulls off rally, but Iowa fights back late
TOLEDO, OH - The Toledo Mud Hens and the Iowa Cubs had a back and forth battle Saturday night, ending in a 7-6 extra-innings loss for Toledo. The Hens benefitted from some exquisite pitching and hot bats early, but fell behind the Cubs as things cooled off. Toledo would fight
Eighth inning rally gives Hens the Friday night win
Toledo, OH – The Toledo Mud Hens defeated the Iowa Cubs on Friday night at Fifth Third Field with a final score of 7–3. The Hens sent left-handed pitcher Nick Margevicius (0–0, 0.00 ERA) to the mound to start the game, while the Cubs countered with right-hander Connor Noland (3–1,
Hens' eight-game home win streak falls to the I-Cubs
TOLEDO, OH - After back-to-back walk-off wins, the Toledo Mud Hens hit a mid-series lull against the Iowa Cubs Thursday night. With struggles offensively throughout the Toledo lineup and the hot bats of the I-Cubs, the Hens fell 12-0. With Keider Montero joining the Detroit Tigers in Colorado for game
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