Aaron Judge Becomes New Home Run Derby King

The home run derby began in 1985, and never before in its 32-year history had a rookie won the competition.

Until last night.

Aaron Judge, the 6’7″ rookie phenom for the Yankees, became the first rookie to win the home run derby outright, defeating Minnesota’s Miguel Sano in the final round. Judge needed just 11 home runs in the final round to win the competition, and did so with two full minutes left on the clock.

https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/884599709435875328

Judge Blasts His Way to the Top

There was plenty of hype coming into the competition. Giancarlo Stanton of the Marlins was looking to defend his title from last season at his home park. Meanwhile, three of the other top six league leaders in home runs looked to knock him off his perch, including two rookies in Judge and the Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger.

Ironically enough, Judge’s toughest competition came in the first round against a Miami player, but it wasn’t Stanton. Justin Bour launched 22 home runs, putting Judge up to the task immediately if he wanted to advance. Judge rose to the occasion, launching 23 and advancing to the next round for a rookie-on-rookie duel against Bellinger. Stanton, the top seed on the other side of the bracket, was upset by Judge’s teammate Gary Sanchez.

Most HR in a HR Derby round
'08 Josh Hamilton 28
'16 Giancarlo Stanton 24
'05 Bobby Abreu 24
'17 Aaron Judge 23
'17 Justin Bour 22

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 11, 2017

Bellinger only managed 12 dingers in the semifinals, putting Judge in a good spot. Judge went to work, absolutely crushing pitches that included a stretch where he followed up a 504 foot homer with a 513 foot moonshot, the longest home run of the evening.

https://twitter.com/SInow/status/884606517130952705

According to Statcast, Judge launched four home runs throughout the derby that went over 500 feet. Everyone else combined for none.

https://twitter.com/statcast/status/884595708241825792

Sano took away the possibility of a Yankee-Yankee final by taking down Sanchez in the semifinals, but Judge had the advantage heading in as he got to go last. Knowing he only needed 10 homers, Judge quickly belted out 11 of them to capture the trophy and the label of Home Run Derby champion.

The Greatest Show On Earth: @TheJudge44 wins 2017 @TMobile #HRDerby.
Total HR: 47
Longest Distance: 513 feet
Fastest Exit Velocity: 119 mph pic.twitter.com/xuO7QBw6eo

— MLB (@MLB) July 11, 2017