Celebrating Black History Month: Highlighting Aaron Judge
In celebration of Black History Month, throughout February, teams across Minor League Baseball are looking back at some of the best Black players to suit up for their club. While some of these standout performers from across the sport went on to long and illustrious Major League careers, others simply
In celebration of Black History Month, throughout February, teams across Minor League Baseball are looking back at some of the best Black players to suit up for their club.
While some of these standout performers from across the sport went on to long and illustrious Major League careers, others simply had great Minor League careers or, in some cases, just one incredible season that went down as “a year for the ages.”
Over the month, we will highlight some of the best Black baseball players to ever suit up for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Aaron Judge
The New York Yankees selected Aaron Judge with the 32nd overall pick in the first round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft out of Fresno State University. His meteoric rise saw him conquer A-ball in 2014, combining for 17 home runs over 131 games with Charleston and Tampa. In 2015, Judge split the season between Trenton and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, launching 20 home runs over 124 total games while driving in 72. He also garnered a starting spot as the designated hitter in the 2015 Futures Game.
Judge opened the 2016 campaign in a RailRiders uniform, spending four and a half months patrolling the outfield at PNC Field and around the International League. Judge hit .270, including .343 in June alone, and tallied 19 home runs with 65 runs driven in as an IL All-Star before the Yankees called him to the Majors. The RailRiders were 75-44 at the time of Judge’s MLB debut, well on their way to the league crown, and ultimately, the Triple-A National Championship.
In 2017, Judge was the unanimous choice for American League Rookie of the Year. His first full season in the Majors produced a .284 average, a league-best 52 home runs and 114 runs batted in. He was tabbed as an All-Star for the first of three times in his still-young career and finished second in AL MVP voting.
In 2019, Judge was tabbed for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s All-Time Team as part of their 30th Anniversary Season celebration.
In six Major League seasons, Judge has hit 158 home runs over 572 games and built a following across the sport with his power and his charisma. So much so that the Judge’s Chambers in right field at Yankee Stadium are all ready to rise with one swing of his bat.
Read the rest of the series:
Did We Do That? Jaleel White headlining 90s Night
MOOSIC, PA (April 17, 2025) – Jaleel White, famously known for his iconic role as Steve Urkel on the hit 90’s sitcom Family Matters, is set to headline the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders 90s Night on August 2 at PNC Field. The RailRiders host the Nashville Sounds at 6:05 P.M. and White
Nothing Doing: RailRiders no-hit by Bulls Saturday
Durham, NC (April 19, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders were no-hit by the Durham Bulls on Saturday night in a 4-0 loss at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Three Bulls pitchers combined to limit the RailRiders to three walks and hold the club hitless in a game for the first time
Clean Sheet: SWB shuts out Durham 5-0 Friday night
Durham, NC (April 18, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders blanked the Durham Bulls 5-0 Friday night. Allan Winans, Sean Boyle and Yerry De Los Santos combined to shut out the Bulls on three hits while striking out 13. Box Score The RailRiders jumped on opener Paul Gervase with a pair
Offertunity Knocks: RailRiders announce two special deals
MOOSIC, PA (April 3, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, have announced two special offers for the upcoming 2025 season. After popular runs in 2024, the College Rush ticket offer has returned for students and the Military Discount has been upgraded for active or
Downed in Durham: RailRiders fall 7-1 to Bulls
Durham, NC (April 17, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders were tripped 7-1 by the Durham Bulls Thursday night. The Bulls tallied five early runs and the RailRiders could not overcome the early deficit while dropping their second straight. Box Score Durham took a 2-0 lead against RailRiders starter Jake Woodford
Almost Enough: RailRiders rally halted in 4-3 loss
Durham, NC (April 16, 2025) – Scranton/Wilkes-Barre fell 4-3 to Durham on Wednesday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. The RailRiders took the lead in the fourth, but the Bulls plated runs in four straight innings and staved off a late Scranton/Wilkes-Barre comeback effort to even the set. Box Score
No Bull: SWB takes down Durham 9-1 Tuesday
Durham, NC (April 15, 2025) – Scranton/Wilkes-Barre beat Durham 9-1 on Tuesday afternoon at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Dom Smith and Everson Pereira homered and Erick Leal pitched 6.1 innings to lead the RailRiders to a series-opening win over the Bulls. Box Score The RailRiders opened the early lead against
DH Done Right: RailRiders sweep twinbill with Red Wings
MOOSIC, PA (April 13, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders swept a doubleheader with the Rochester Red Wings on Sunday at PNC Field, walking off the Red Wings 3-2 in game one and shutting them out 8-0 in game two. Game One Box Score Game Two Box Score In game one,
Washed Away: Saturday's RailRiders & Red Wings game postponed
Moosic, PA (April 12, 2025) – Saturday afternoon’s game between the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and Rochester has been postponed due to inclement weather. The RailRiders and Red Wings are already slated to play a single-admission doubleheader on Sunday, April 13, due to a postponement on April 10. Gates open at 11:30 A.M.
Last Swing Smash: RailRiders walk-off Wings again
MOOSIC, PA (April 11, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders walked off the Rochester Red Wings 8-7 on Friday night at PNC Field. Down 7-6 in the bottom of the eleventh, pinch hitter Ronaldo Hernández launched a two-run homer to left-center to send the RailRiders to their second consecutive walk-off victory
Schedule Update: Doubleheader set for Sunday, April 13
MOOSIC, PA (April 11, 2025) – The April 10 game between Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and Rochester that was postponed due to inclement weather has been rescheduled for Sunday, April 13, as part of a single-admission doubleheader. Gates will open at 11:30 A.M. on Sunday with a first pitch in game one slated
Game Off: RailRiders and Red Wings postponed Thursday
Moosic, PA (April 10, 2025) – Thursday’s game between the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and Rochester has been postponed due to inclement weather. Tonight’s game will be rescheduled at a later date. This series is slated to resume on Friday night with a 6:35 P.M. first pitch. Tickets for tonight’s game can be
Splitsville: RailRiders and Wings halve twinbill
MOOSIC, PA (April 9, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders split a doubleheader with the Rochester Red Wings on Wednesday night at PNC Field, falling 7-4 in game one and walking off the nightcap 4-3. Game One Box Score Game Two Box Score In game one, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre opened the offense in
Cold Spell: RailRiders and Red Wings postponed Tuesday
Moosic, PA (April 8, 2025) – Tuesday’s game between the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders and the Rochester Red Wings has been postponed due to unplayable conditions. Frozen field conditions have increased concern for player safety and, ultimately, forced the decision to postpone the game. The RailRiders and Red Wings will play a
Road Rally: RailRiders five-run ninth secures series win
Syracuse, NY (April 6, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders rallied past the Syracuse Mets 8-4 on Sunday at NBT Bank Stadium. The RailRiders trailed by two after one but scored five in the ninth to clinch a winning series and nine-game road trip. Box Score The Mets grabbed the early
Second Too Much: Mets best RailRiders 7-4 Saturday
Syracuse, NY (April 5, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders dropped a 7-4 final to the Syracuse Mets at NBT Bank Stadium on Saturday. The Mets scored six runs in the second and limited the RailRiders to three home runs to secure the win. Box Score Syracuse jumped on RailRiders starter
Marathon Men: RailRiders storm past Mets late
Syracuse, NY (April 4, 2025) – On the strength of a six-run seventh inning, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders beat the Syracuse Mets 12-4 at NBT Bank Stadium on Friday. Jorbit Vivas and Braden Shewmake each hit home runs to back the RailRiders to their second straight win and third in four
Fun Incoming: 2025 promo slate announced!
MOOSIC, PA (March 4, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, have announced their promotions, appearances, theme nights and giveaways for the 2025 campaign. The new season will showcase 11 fireworks dates, four Copa de la Diversión games, three new custom jerseys, appearances, unique giveaways
Get Right Night: Leibrandt and early runs pace win
Syracuse, NY (April 3, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders beat the Syracuse Mets 5-1 Thursday night at NBT Bank Stadium. The RailRiders offense opened an early lead and the pitching staff made it stick as Scranton/Wilkes-Barre leveled its record six games into the season. Box Score After being limited to
Stymied: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre falls 5-1 Wednesday
Syracuse, NY (April 2, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders fell 5-1 to the Syracuse Mets on Wednesday at NBT Bank Stadium. Three Mets pitchers limited the RailRiders to four hits and a total of seven base runners, three of which reached in the ninth. Box Score Syracuse tabbed a run
Debut Day: Initial RailRiders Roster Announced
MOOSIC, PA (March 28, 2025) – The New York Yankees have announced the Opening Day roster for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. The debut roster for Manager Shelley Duncan coming out of Spring Training features three of the Top-30 prospects in the Yankees farm system, four members of the 40-man roster and
Squid Game: Velazquez paces SWB in 6-2 win
Syracuse, NY (April 1, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders bested the Syracuse Mets 6-2 Tuesday afternoon at NBT Bank Stadium. Andrew Velazquez drove in four to lead the RailRiders to their second straight win on this nine-game road trip to open the season. Box Score Scranton/Wilkes-Barre jumped to an early
More Like It: RailRiders topple IronPigs 14-3
Allentown, PA (March 30, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders throttled the Lehigh Valley IronPigs 14-3 at Coca-Cola Park Sunday afternoon. The RailRiders held a two-run lead heading into the top of the ninth and added nine runs to seal the series finale for their first win of the season. Box
One-Runned: RailRiders drop second straight 5-4 final
Allentown, PA (March 29, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders lost 5-4 to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Saturday at Coca-Cola Park. Lehigh Valley built a 5-0 lead and staved off a pair of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre comeback efforts to collect the series win with one game to go. Box Score The IronPigs
Best Days Ahead: RailRiders Daily Promotions Announced
MOOSIC, PA (February 27, 2025) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders have set their 2025 daily promotions and fireworks nights for the upcoming season. The RailRiders, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, start their home schedule on April 8 against the Rochester Red Wings; the first of 75 home games at