Making his MLB debut in 2016, Aaron Judge was an anomaly. Few players had seen success at his height in the League. But, in 2017, his remarkable feat of hitting 52 home runs, combined with his outstanding mobility and speed as a 6’7″ outfielder, left everyone thoroughly impressed. Long before he etched his name in history, the young phenom left a lasting impression on none other than Alex Rodriguez, who saw a remarkable similarity to NBA icon LeBron James.

A-Rod couldn’t help but see in Judge a resemblance to the basketball icon LeBron James, not only in physical stature but also in personality and potential.

Alex Rodriguez Saw LeBron James-Type Potential in Aaron Judge

According to David Fischer’s book, ‘Aaron Judge – The Incredible Story of the New York Yankees’ Home Run-Hitting Phenom,‘ A-Rod compared Judge and LeBron James in terms of their size, personality, and potential, highlighting the former’s potential to serve as a role model for future generations.

On page 136, raving about Judge’s physical attributes, A-Rod words read, “For the first time in a long time, we have a LeBron James type of personality and size that can transcend sports,” said Rodriguez. 

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“Here’s a guy who is 6-foot-7, 275 pounds, 9 percent body fat, 32-inch vertical [leap]. The guy bench presses 400 pounds, squats 500 pounds, and he’s an amazing figure.”

The Yankees icon words continued on how his success could impact the future of the sport, “For the next generation to say, ‘Well, there’s a guy who can be a tight end and an All-Pro, and he chose baseball. Why can’t I?’ So hopefully kids are taking notes on Aaron Judge.”

Read More: “I Get a Nice…” – Yankees Captain Aaron Judge Reveals the Unique Advantages That Accompany His Esteemed Title

This was massive praise from Rodriguez as he set high expectations for Judge. But the outfielder lived up to them and became an indispensable part of the team. Furthermore, he has stayed loyal to the Bronx Bombers, inking a $360 million pact to spend the rest of his career with them likely. 

Judge Has Lived Up to Expectations Ever Since

Aaron Judge has lived up to expectations in most ways. He has evolved into a perennial All-Star and consistent MVP candidate. Furthermore, he was named the Yankees’ 16th captain this year and began his captaincy era with an insane gesture.

As Alex Rodriguez predicted, he has also become one of MLB’s most marketable stars. Judge’s gentle personality, loyalty, and competitive spirit make him a supremely marketable athlete. The only issue is his persistent injury troubles.

Well, A-Rod hit the nail on the head with his astute assessment of Aaron Judge many years ago. What do you think of him comparing the Yankees’ captain to LeBron James?

Watch This Story: Is Aaron Judge’s $360 Million Deal the Biggest New York Yankee Contract of All Time?