Yankees secure Judge with 32nd pick after standout Fresno State tenure
Aaron Judge’s transition from a versatile high school athlete to a premier outfielder culminated in his selection by the New York Yankees in 2013, following a collegiate career defined by power development and a pivotal home run derby victory.
Aaron Judge was selected by the New York Yankees with the 32nd overall pick in the 2013 MLB draft, concluding a collegiate career at Fresno State where he established himself as a premier outfielder. The selection followed a period of significant development for the 6-foot-7 athlete, who transitioned from a multi-sport high school star into a dedicated baseball player under the guidance of head coach Mike Batesole.
Judge’s path to the draft was not linear. Initially drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 31st round of the 2010 MLB draft as a pitcher and first baseman, he opted to attend Fresno State instead. During his time at the university, he dabbled in multiple positions, including pitching and first base, before the coaching staff and his own performance metrics directed him toward the outfield.
A defining moment in his collegiate trajectory occurred during the 2012 Ameritrade Home Run Derby in Omaha. Despite early struggles in the competition, Judge overcame a difficult second round to win the title, silencing doubts among scouts regarding his power potential. The victory served as a public validation of the work he had conducted in the team’s batting cage, known as "The Barn," with assistant coaches Erik Wetzel and Ryan Overland.
The context of his development was complicated by the 2011 NCAA season, which introduced safety measures that deadened aluminium bats, suppressing power numbers across college baseball. Batesole frequently defended Judge’s power potential against this backdrop, arguing that the equipment changes masked the true ceiling of his swing. Judge responded by refining his mechanics to generate more loft, a process that saw his home run output increase from two in his freshman year to 12 in his junior season.
Judge’s arrival at Fresno State was marked by his versatility as a high school athlete, with interest from major football programs such as Notre Dame, Washington, and UCLA. His decision to commit to baseball was influenced by a weekend camp at the university and the recruitment efforts of teammates like Jordan Ribera. The Yankees’ selection in 2013 recognised a player who had transformed from a raw prospect into a high-level Division I hitter with elite athleticism.
