First-rounder Judge takes BP with Yanks in Oakland

OAKLAND -- The Yankees got an up-close look at outfielder Aaron Judge, one of their first-round selections in the First-Year Player Draft, as the slugger taken 32nd overall took batting practice on Tuesday at O.co Coliseum.

"He can hit some homers," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "The ball really jumps off his bat. Strong kid. He can hit line drives out of the ballpark. You think that they're good line drives in the gap, and they just keep going. He was pretty impressive today."

Judge, who stands a towering 6-foot-7 and 255 pounds, spent time in the clubhouse with the Yankees before Tuesday's series opener against the A's and said he is feeling "real confident" about signing with New York.

He also said that hitting on a big league diamond with the rest of the Yankees was a bit nerve-racking, and he hopes to be able to repeat the experience at Yankee Stadium.

"The first few rounds are kind of tough. Everybody's watching you, but after you take a few rounds and get loose and relax, it's pretty fun," Judge said.

Judge hails from nearby Linden, Calif., and attended Fresno State. He said the player he was most looking forward to meeting was Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano.

"I've always loved watching him play. He's a great guy," Judge said. "I always wanted to meet him. I talked to him on the phone a couple of days ago; he called me. I was shocked. At first, I was sitting there and looked at my dad, 'This guy says he's Robinson Cano. I don't believe him.' It was unreal."