Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees’ towering batter and captain, refined his baseball skills at California State University, Fresno, also known as Fresno State. From 2011 to 2013, Judge played for the Bulldogs, where he grew into a formidable athlete, laying the groundwork for his professional future.
Where Did Aaron Judge Go to College? Inside His Fresno State Journey
Despite receiving football offers from major colleges such as Notre Dame, Stanford, and UCLA, Judge decided to play baseball at Fresno State. His decision was inspired by his love of the sport and the potential to advance in a competitive collegiate baseball environment.
Judge’s athleticism and commitment were evident during his time at Fresno State. He was named first-team all-conference three times and a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American in 2011.
In 2012, he demonstrated his power by winning the TD Ameritrade College Home Run Derby. Over 169 games, Judge had a .345 batting average, 18 home runs, and 109 RBIs.
In honor of his tremendous contributions, Fresno State retired Judge’s No. 29 jersey in November 2023. The celebration, which took place at Pete Beiden Field in Bob Bennett Stadium, also honored great coach Mike Batesole.
Judge expressed sincere thanks, saying, “It is an incredible and humbling honor to have my number retired at Fresno State.”
Aaron Judge’s Fresno State experience paved the way for a great professional career. After being selected 32nd overall by the Yankees in 2013, he made his MLB debut in 2016, and the rest is history.
Since then, Judge has:
- Won the American League MVP (2022)
- Set the AL single-season home run record (62 HRs)
- Earned multiple All-Star selections
- Been named Captain of the New York Yankees.
Also Read: Where Did Jazz Chisholm Jr. Play College Baseball? What To Know About His Path to the MLB
While Aaron Judge’s name will always be associated with the New York Yankees, his story cannot be written without Fresno State. From being a high school phenom who chose baseball over football to becoming one of baseball’s most feared hitters, Judge’s college years shaped the player and leader we see today.
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