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Yankees’ Tyler Austin and Aaron Judge hit back to back home runs in MLB debuts (Video)

By Dave Stevenson

Aug 13, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Tyler Austin (26) is congratulated by Aaron Judge (99) after hitting a solo home run during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 13, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Tyler Austin (26) is congratulated by Aaron Judge (99) after hitting a solo home run during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tyler Austin and Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees hit back-to-back home runs in their MLB debuts.

It’s a new era for the New York Yankees. Now that Alex Rodriguez has officially been released, the Yankees have an entirely different look. For the first time since perhaps the 1990s, the Yankees have a very young team. Before Saturday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Yankees called up top prospects Tyler Austin and Aaron Judge. The dynamic duo immediately gave Yankees fans something to cheer about as they hit back-to-back home runs in their respective first MLB at bats.

Austin started at first base while Judge started in right field. It remains to be seen how the Yankees will consistently get both players in the lineup since both are natural first basemen. Even if Judge can’t stick in right field, he could always just be a designated hitter. It appears that he has the athleticism necessary to be a solid corner outfielder despite his size. Judge is listed as 6’7″ and 275 pounds, but his footwork is remarkable.

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The Yankees have desperately needed a youth movement for quite some time. Perhaps A-Rod and Derek Jeter retiring pushed them to finally do it. It doesn’t end at just Judge and Austin. The Yankees have one of the best farm systems in baseball even without the duo. With a strong and young lineup, the Yankees could contend again as soon as 2017 if they play their cards right.

Judge and Austin were both top 50 prospects. While Judge fell off most top 50 prospects lists due to injury, he has done a lot to rebuild his value and projects to be an excellent hitter, at least. If he can play somewhere in the field, even better. Austin is likely stuck at first base, though he has played corner outfield in the minors.

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