Aaron Judge Bio
Aaron James Judge is an American professional baseball outfielder for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). He is a seven-time MLB All-Star and three-time American League Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) winner. He holds the AL record for most home runs in a season with 62. He stands 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighs 282 pounds, making him one of the tallest and largest players in MLB. Judge is considered by some to be among the best power hitters and right-handed batters of all time.
Early Life and Background
Aaron Judge was born on April 26, 1992, in Sacramento, California. He was adopted one day later on April 27, by Patty and Wayne Judge, both of whom worked as teachers in nearby Linden. Judge has an older brother, John, who was also adopted. Growing up, Judge was a fan of the San Francisco Giants. He attended Linden High School, where he excelled in multiple sports, including baseball, football, and basketball. As a senior, he was named Linden High School’s Athlete of the Year and received MVP honors in all three sports. Judge graduated from Linden High in 2010 and was inducted into the Linden Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019.
Path to Baseball
Several colleges recruited Judge to play tight end in football, including Notre Dame, Stanford, and UCLA, but he chose to pursue baseball instead. The Oakland Athletics selected him in the 31st round of the 2010 MLB draft, but he opted to enroll at California State University, Fresno, to play for the Bulldogs baseball team. During his college career, Judge earned numerous accolades, including WAC Freshman of the Year and All-WAC First Team honors. He was also named a Freshman All-American by Louisville Slugger. In 2013, Judge was drafted by the New York Yankees with the 32nd overall pick in the MLB draft.
Aaron Judge Career
Early Career (2016-2017)
Aaron Judge made his MLB debut on August 13, 2016, starting in right field against the Tampa Bay Rays. In his first MLB at-bat, Judge hit a home run, marking the first time that two teammates had hit home runs in their first MLB career at-bats in the same game. Judge’s debut season was marked by challenges, as he played in only 27 games and batted .179. However, he quickly turned things around in 2017, winning the AL Rookie of the Year award by unanimous vote after hitting 52 home runs, temporarily setting a new MLB rookie record.
Breakthrough (2017-2022)
Judge’s breakthrough came in 2017 when he was named an All-Star and won the Home Run Derby, becoming the first rookie to win the event. He finished the season with a .284 batting average, leading the AL in home runs and runs scored. In 2022, Judge won his first MVP award after setting the AL single-season home run record with 62 home runs, breaking the previous record held by Roger Maris. Following the 2022 season, Judge re-signed with the Yankees on a nine-year, $360 million contract and was named the team’s captain.
Notable Works and Milestones
Aaron Judge’s signature work includes his historic 2022 season, where he not only set the AL single-season home run record but also led the league in several offensive categories. He has received numerous accolades, including being named an All-Star multiple times and winning the AL MVP award three times.
Aaron Judge Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Aaron Judge has received numerous award nominations, including multiple selections for the All-Star Game and MVP awards.
Aaron Judge Awards Won
Aaron Judge has won several prestigious awards, including the AL Rookie of the Year in 2017, three AL MVP awards in 2022, 2024, and 2025, and has been named an All-Star seven times.
Aaron Judge Family
Aaron Judge is married to Samantha Bracksieck, whom he wed in December 2021. They met in high school and both attended Fresno State University. They have one daughter, born in January 2025.
Personal Life
Aaron Judge is a Christian and has been open about his faith. He has two pet dachshunds named Gus and Penny. Judge is also known for his philanthropic efforts, including founding the ALL RISE Foundation, which aims to inspire children and youth to become responsible citizens.