Aaron Judge: Stories from the Mound
Since his arrival in the Major Leagues at the end of 2016, Aaron Judge, the star of the New York Yankees, has established himself as one of the most feared and prolific hitters in baseball. His combination of size, power, and patience makes him any pitcher’s nightmare. Standing at 6 feet 7 inches and weighing 282 pounds, Judge has amassed an impressive 359 home runs since his debut, and every time he steps up to the plate, the entire stadium ignites. Despite a mid-season elbow injury, which slowed his pace, Judge is on the verge of completing his fourth season with at least 40 home runs and his fourth consecutive season with an OPS above 1.000, positioning him as a candidate for the American League Most Valuable Player award. In Alofoke Deportes, we have compiled the best stories about Aaron Judge, told by those who have faced him throughout his career, as well as by those who knew his power before he became a legend.Maybe I should create a support group for those who have been homered by Aaron Judge.
— A Pitcher
Judge, who at that moment hadn’t connected any home runs in his second season, hit two impressive home runs against Appel, in a surprising 7-4 victory. And thus the legend was born. Erick Fedde, pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers, recalls that Judge already had a great physical presence. Matthew Boyd, of the Chicago Cubs, shared how Judge as a rookie, constantly sent the ball against the scoreboard, which made him realize that the problem wasn’t the bats, but Judge’s talent.We went in there, I think we were number 1 in the country, like we were going to crush these guys, you know? And we didn’t. We didn’t.
— Mark Appel
After drawing national attention, Judge solidified his place on MLB draft lists with his performance in the prestigious Cape Cod League. Anthony Montefusco, a pitcher at the time, remembers how Judge hit a home run that flew over the trees in center field. Frederick Shepard, another pitcher, also witnessed a Judge home run that left everyone in awe.I saw Judge hit some home runs against my UNLV teammates that were some of the farthest balls I’ve seen hit.
— Erick Fedde
Sean Manaea of the New York Mets highlighted Judge’s size and his ability at the plate. Other pitchers like Aaron Civale and Spencer Strider agreed that the strike zone seems bigger due to Judge’s height, but it’s difficult to throw him a strike. Mental preparation is crucial, and pitchers must be aware that any mistake could become a memory for the fans. Max Fried, of the New York Yankees, emphasized that Judge’s name stands out in the lineup and that care must be taken not to leave him a ball over the plate.He just plugged it in, he whacked it, I mean, it had to be 500 feet, to the top of the trees in that place.
— Anthony Montefusco
Blake Snell, recognized as a friend of Judge, shares a unique perspective on how to face him. He acknowledges that Judge could hit a hard pitch towards him, so, sometimes, he prefers to walk him. Other pitchers, like Matt Strahm and Aaron Nola, admit that Judge’s presence is imposing.Judge’s size intimidates when he stands in the plate.
— Sean Manaea
Jason Adam, reliever, remembers a moment when he thought he had given up a home run to tie the game, but the play ended with a catch in the warning track. Other pitchers like Chris Sale, Kyle Freeland, and Shane Baz, have also experienced Judge’s power. The key to succeeding against Judge is to maintain focus and unpredictability, according to several pitchers. Martin Perez emphasizes the importance of location, while Max Fried suggests that sometimes it’s better to walk him. In short, Aaron Judge is not only an exceptional player, but also a figure who inspires respect and awe, both in his teammates and his rivals.I’m going to strike him out or I’m going to walk him. So, when he bats, that’s when he gets in trouble, because he’s not going to be in the zone. And I tell him that.
— Blake Snell
