Brewster, Mass. — As Aaron Judge’s bat met the ball with formidable force, a distinctive thunderous clap resonated deep into the wooded surroundings of Brewster Whitecaps’ stadium during the Cape Cod League games of summer 2012. It’s a sound so compelling that Luke Weaver, then a college freshman and Judge’s teammate, recalls worrying about the structural integrity of the old-school scoreboard in left-center field.
At the time, both athletes were college players honing their skills during the collegiate summer league. Weaver, from Florida State University, was initially considered more promising than Judge, a junior from Fresno State. However, Judge, towering at 6 feet 7 inches, had an undeniable presence that hinted at his untapped potential. Despite his impressive physique, he was not seen as a surefire future star due to perceived weaknesses in his game.
Fast forward a decade, and Judge has not only rectified those perceived weaknesses but has ascended to the pinnacle of Major League Baseball (MLB). Today, he’s recognized as one of MLB’s most exemplary hitters, with a historical 218 weighted runs created plus (wRC+) this season—the highest ever recorded by a right-handed batter. His performance includes leading the American League in several key offensive categories, virtually assuring him a second MVP award.
In 2016, Aaron Judge entered the major leagues with the New York Yankees, struggling to make a significant impact initially. His batting posed a challenge, prompting Judge and his agents to seek the expertise of Richard Schenck, a renowned hitting coach. The transformative off-season they spent working together in Arizona profoundly impacted Judge’s technique and confidence at the plate.
Schenck introduced Judge to several drills aimed at honing his reaction speed and the power of his swing. Despite their initial struggles, these sessions gradually produced a noticeable evolution in Judge’s batting capabilities. By the time spring training rolled around in 2017, Judge had refined his skills substantially.
The difference in his performance was staggering. In 2017, Judge smashed 52 home runs and clinched the AL Rookie of the Year Award. Their diligent practice continued, ironing out minute imperfections and perfecting his swing to the extent that Judge himself began sensing when minor adjustments were needed—an intuition that even his coaches sometimes couldn’t discern.
This meticulous attention to detail was on full display during the 2022 season as he approached the single-season American League home run record. Each swing, each contact made under Schenck’s tutelage seemed to bring Judge closer to perfection in his craft.
Yet, despite personal successes and record-breaking performances, Judge’s aspirations transcend individual accolades. What drives him most is the pursuit of a World Series championship—a title that would elevate his status among the Yankee greats, a franchise steeped in baseball lore.
Judge’s evolution from a collegiate player, uncertain of his professional future, to an MLB superstar exemplifies the essence of sports—relentless improvement, the crucial impact of mentorship and training, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Despite the achievements and the limelight, Judge maintains a grounded approach, driven by a continual quest for perfection instilled in him from an early age. As he routinely alters the course of games with his powerful hits, his journey from Cape Cod League fields to the echelons of major league baseball remains a testament to the notion that greatness is often a product of much more than raw talent—it is forged through resilience, adaptability, and an unending desire to excel.