The New York Yankees weren’t at their best in the period ranging from 2010 to 2015.
They always had a positive record but didn’t always seriously contend.
Things started to change on this day, but 10 years ago, when they drafted the player that would graduate into one of the most dangerous hitters in baseball in 2017: Aaron Judge.
The Yankees drafted Aaron Judge with the #32 overall pick ten years ago today pic.twitter.com/TDfvocttGd
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) June 6, 2023
The video is absolutely priceless.
For starters, Bud Selig was still the Commissioner, so you know some time has passed!
A baby-faced Judge switched his jacket for a Yankees shirt.
He had just turned 21 at the time.
Judge made his debut in 2016, and things weren’t that promising back then as he had a .608 OPS in 27 games and 95 plate appearances.
A year later, however, he developed into a true star with a 1.049 OPS, 52 home runs, 128 runs, and 114 RBI.
That performance earned him the Rookie of the Year award and a second-place finish in the AL MVP vote.
Since that year, he has performed at an All-Star level for the Yankees, even if injuries somewhat slowed him from 2018 to 2020.
He had a historically relevant performance in 2022, with 62 home runs to establish a new American League record.
He also flirted with the AL Triple Crown last year.
This season, he is already up to 19 homers and 40 RBI with a 1.078 OPS.
However, he already visited the injured list with a hip strain and could do so again with a toe ailment.
Still, it’s fair to say the Yankees have gotten historically great value from that first-round pick in 2013.
They got a legitimate star and, perhaps, a future Hall of Famer.
NEXT: Video Shows The Yankees Celebrating Their Young Star
