Aaron Judge: A baseballer in a footballer's body
It's no secret that the Yankees' offense has been rather meh lately. There isn't one position player that makes you need to go to a game. But there is one guy on the way that will give you that giddy feeling, I promise. I'm talking of course about Aaron Judge. If you saw Judge on the street you would think, wow he must be a linebacker or tight end. Nope. He plays outfield for the New York Yankees. Standing 6 foot 7 weighing 275 pounds of pure muscle, he has been a force to be reckoned with. To put this into perspective: JJ Watt, star linebacker for the Houston Texans, is listed at 6 foot 5 and 289 pounds. Ya. Judge is two inches taller and just 14 pounds shy of a beast of a football player. Another comparison? Ok. Rob Gronkowski, Patriots tight end who takes about four guys to bring down, 6 foot 6 275 pounds. Need a baseball comparison? I got you. Giancarlo Stanton, you know that walking talking muscle down in Miami that rips the cover off the ball? He's 6 foot 6 and weighs 245 pounds.
Judge makes 6'4 Ryan Howard look Gardner sized in a 2015 Spring Training game. The 24 year old powerhouse is hitting .284 with two homers and nine RBIs in 16 games for the RailRiders this year. He launched 20 homers between Double-A and Triple-A last season with 74 RBIs and 63 runs. He's gotten high praise from all levels of the organization over the past two years, and is primed to take over right field next season.
If he keeps doing this, then he is just going to force his way up. It is not an if, it is a when. -Brian Cashman
He’s an imposing figure when he gets up to the plate, just like Frank Howard was. Darryl Strawberry was a big guy, though he was left-handed. As far as guys from the right side, Dave Winfield was that kind of guy. A big guy who could drive the ball with incredible power. -Lance Parrish
Judge has even impressed Mr. October himself, who compared him to Dave Winfield.
He's got power like Stargell, McCovey. Opposite field power, which is the best power you can have. That allows you to wait on the ball. He has power like a guy from the 60s and 70s. -Reggie Jackson
And it's not just his skills that impress, he carries himself like a future captain. He never wants the spotlight, never wants the attention on him. He is constantly giving credit to his teammates and introduces himself like just another guy, doesn't have the ego of a superstar on the cusp of making the Bigs. I love the makeup of this kid. Behemoth, goliath, leviathan. Call him whatever you want, I am completely enamored with this guy and can't wait to have him in pinstripes. Personally, I can see him being the next captain of the New York Yankees.