BOSTON -- There have already been a couple of 6-foot-7 third basemen in big league history, so it wasn’t exactly unprecedented when Aaron Judge fielded batting-practice grounders on Tuesday at the hot corner.
But it was difficult not to notice.
“I’m going to play him there Saturday,” said Yankees manager Aaron Boone, before making sure everyone within earshot understood that the captain will absolutely not be playing there on Saturday.
Still, it made for a compelling scene -- Judge picking grounders and tossing to second base.
It reminded Boone of a couple of springs ago, when Judge broke out a first baseman’s glove and scooped throws on a sleepy February afternoon at the team’s complex in Tampa, Fla. That video created a brief stir on social media.
“Sometimes, I do tell him in the spring, ‘Hey, go get your first baseman’s glove. There’s a few [reporters] out there. Give them something to talk about,’” Boone said.
Ryan Minor was baseball’s first 6-foot-7 third baseman, better known as the player who replaced Cal Ripken Jr. in the Orioles' lineup on Sept. 20, 1998, with Ripken’s streak ending at 2,632 consecutive games played.
Joel Guzman, who appeared in 24 games for the Dodgers (2006) and Devil Rays (2007), also stood 6-foot-7.
Judge has played all three outfield positions in his Major League career, and all of his defensive innings have come in right field so far this year. His turn at third base on Tuesday was just a bit of pregame fun; much as it was when Paul Goldschmidt took balls at shortstop during the club’s recent homestand.
There has been speculation that Judge could eventually move to first base near the end of his nine-year, $360 million contract that runs through 2031. But with Judge still playing strong defense in the outfield, that hasn’t been a conversation the Yankees are rushing to have.
“I’m sure Aaron could play a lot of places well,” Boone said.