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If there’s one big difference Aaron Judge noticed during his month-long hot streak, it’s that Lady Luck has started to smile at him.
Because all those hard hoppers that wound up in the gloves of opposing fielders during April and May are magically turning into hits.
“Yes. Stuff’s falling now,” Judge said. “That kind of helps out.”
It doesn’t hurt when blasts off his powerful bat start falling over the fence.
Through 28 games in June batting as the No. 3 hitter for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, Judge launched nine home runs, ripped six doubles and a triple, drove home 25 runs and hit .343 while earning the International League’s Player of the Month Award.
That power surge gave Judge 16 homers for the season, putting him in a tie atop the IL and made him a starting outfielder, thanks to votes from fans, media and managers, for the July 13 Triple-A All-Star Game in Charlotte.
They weren’t the only ones who noticed Judge’s surge of success.
“I love Aaron Judge,” New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira said less than two weeks ago, while rehabbing a knee injury with the RailRiders. “Physically, you don’t see guys like that. He has a lot of potential. It’s great to see guys with that much potential start to fulfill it. Hopefully, he has a nice, long career in the Bronx.”
That career with the Yankees could start sooner rather than later for the 24-year-old, the Yankees’ top pick in the 2013 Amateur Draft.
The 6-foot-7, 275-pound slugger has always been a player the parent Yankees couldn’t help but watch closely and is rated among ther top minor league prospects.
But he’s quickly turning into one of the organization’s most riveting players, a guy who keeps fans glued to their seats when he steps to the plate.
During the RailRiders last homestand, Judge drilled two home runs in the same game for the first time in his three pro seasons, and first time since college.
Then the RailRiders went on a 10-game road trip, where Judge hit a homer in three straight games and blasted seven homers in nine games; accomplishing his first Triple-A triple.
During the week of June 20 to 26, Judge ripped seven extra-base hits including five homers, had a 1.208 slugging percentage, hit .458 and produced nine RBI while being named the IL’s Batter of the Week.
And to think he was struggling with a .221 batting average after and 0 for 3 day June 2.
“He’s starting to figure some things out at the plate,” said RailRiders manager Al Pedrique, who also managed Judge for part of last season with Double-A Trenton. “There’s no doubt he’s getting better. Last two weeks, we’ve been watching a different hitter.”
Pedrique said the biggest change he’s noticed in Judge is a more patient approach to pitches.
“He’s not trying to jump out front and be aggressive,” Pedrique said. “He’s seeing the ball longer. We’re trying to figure out some things. That’s one thing we keep reminding him, it’s not going to happen overnight.
“It’s a matter of time.”
Judge’s timing couldn’t be better.
The parent Yankees are scuffling at 8 1/2 games back of the first-place Baltimore Orioles in the American League East and their most dangerous hitter, Carlos Beltran, is currently hampered by a hamstring issue. Beltran also plays right field, which is where Judge is stationed for the RailRiders.
For now, though, Judge is more focused on things he can control. Starting with the mindset he takes each time he steps to the plate.
“Nothing’s really changed,” Judge said.”Just trying to stick to my approach.
“I just try to go up there and get a good pitch to hit and do some damage.”
