Fastball

New York Yankees Star Aaron Judge Notches First RBIs of Spring Training

Aaron Judge made his spring training debut Saturday, driving in a pair of runs for the New York Yankees in their game against the Houston Astros.
Sam Connon|
Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) looks on during work outs at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) looks on during work outs at George M. Steinbrenner Field. | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

In this story:

New York Yankees

In his very first at-bat of spring training, New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge struck look looking.

It didn't take the superstar long to turn his day around.

Judge stepped up to the plate with two on and one out in the bottom of the third inning against the Houston Astros. He took the first two pitches he saw, then grounded a high fastball through the left side for a single.

Both runners came around to score, putting the Yankees on top 3-1.

Judge is fresh off winning his second AL MVP, as well as his first AL pennant. He hit .322 with 58 home runs, 36 doubles, 144 RBIs, 133 walks, an 1.159 OPS and 10.8 WAR in the regular season before batting .184 with a .752 OPS in the playoffs.

The soon-to-be 32-year-old outfielder is due $40 million in 2025, plus each of the next six seasons.

New York has moved Judge back from center field to right field after Juan Soto left in free agency this winter. He caught a fly ball in his lone defensive chance of the afternoon Saturday before heading to the bench in the fourth inning.

Related MLB Stories

  • TAYLOR, SEYMOUR SHOW POP: The Rays may not have completed the comeback against the Pirates on Friday, but top prospects Brayden Taylor and Bob Seymour impressed in the clutch. CLICK HERE
  • KELLER CONTINUES TO SHINE: With his newborn son watching from the stands, Pirates pitcher Mitch Keller posted another scoreless spring training start Friday. CLICK HERE
  • WESTBROOK BREAKS OUT: A few days after joining the Rays, longtime minor league utility man Jamie Westbrook notched two hits and made some solid plays at second base. CLICK HERE

Follow Fastball On SI on social media

Continue to follow our Fastball On SI coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter @FastballFN.

You can also follow Sam Connon on Twitter @SamConnon.

Published
Sam Connon
SAM CONNON

Sam Connon is a staff writer covering baseball for “Fastball on SI.’’ He previously covered UCLA Athletics for On SI’s All Bruins site, and is a UCLA graduate, with his work there as a sports columnist receiving awards from the College Media Association and Society of Professional Journalists. Connon also wrote for On SI’s New England Patriots site, Patriots Country, and he was on the Patriots and Boston Red Sox beats at Prime Time Sports Talk. Sam lives in Boston.

Share on XFollow SamConnon
Home/News