Aaron Judge and Tyler Austin will be in New York’s starting lineup Saturday playing right field and first base, respectively.
FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reported Austin would be promoted to replace Alex Rodriguez, who is expected to be released.
Judge, 24, was drafted in the first round in 2013 and adds power to New York’s lineup. Over 92 games in Triple-A this season, he’s batting .269/.363/.481 with 18 home runs and 63 RBIs. He has also stolen five bases.
Judge is the 27th best prospect in baseball, according to MLB.com, and has been deemed the Yankees’ fourth-best prospect.
Although Judge has struck out in more than 20 percent of his at-bats this season, his power has been compared to that of Giancarlo Stanton. He is a career .247 hitter who hasn’t walked much throughout his time in New York’s minor league system.
While Judge adds another dynamic to New York’s offense, Austin might prove to be more of a well-rounded hitter. Over 57 games in Triple-A, Austin is batting .323/.415/.637 with 13 home runs and 49 RBIs.
Austin, who has spent seven seasons working his way through New York’s system, was batting .260 over 50 Double-A games before being promoted. He has spent most of this season playing first base but also has outfield experience.
If Austin and Judge remain with the Yankees for the rest of the season, they won’t be arbitration eligible until after 2019.