TAMPA — This was one big meeting. And it speaks volumes about the Yankees' future.
Hall of Famer Dave Winfield made sure to visit Sunday with young outfielder Aaron Judge, who has been compared to Winfield because of his size and athleticism.
"I just wanted to meet the kid,'' Winfield told The Post at Steinbrenner Field. "I don't want to put any pressure or focus on the kid. We talked for a few minutes. I love being able to meet these young guys.''
Judge's time is coming.
Same goes for a lot of these young, talented Yankees. Their future is bright. Following the 3-2 win over a split-squad Phillies team, Judge and nine other players, including RHP Luis Severino and outfielder Jake Cave were reassigned to minor league camp.
Sweet-swinging first baseman Greg Bird, infielder Jose Pirela, who played in left Sunday as manager Joe Girardi wants him to learn multiple positions, and second baseman Rob Refsnyder remain.
Another Hall of Famer Goose Gossage, who has been working here this spring with the pitchers said, "I'm really impressed, there is a lot of young talent here. Now it's about experience. Survive the experience and you're in business.''
Judge said the morning meeting with Winfield was a tremendous honor.
"My father always talked about him,'' said Judge, a three-sport star. Judge's dad, Wayne, said one of the reasons Aaron chose baseball over basketball and football was because of Winfield's comment that baseball is easier on the body.
The 6-foot-6 Winfield knew there have been comparisons made and offered some tremendous advice. The 6-foot-7 Judge is ticketed to start the season Double-A Trenton.
"Statistically and historically it shows that it's difficult for big men to be good hitters in this game,'' said Winfield, 63, who held a long meeting with the Yankees Sunday morning. "Bigger strike zone, the linkage of your body. Don't get caught up on it just because you are big to go for home runs.
"For me, I chose to be an RBI guy first because you are important to a team and that is part of the mental approach, it helps you focus and you want to bring value to the team,'' Winfield said.
"No. 2,'' Winfield continued. "I wanted to hit for average because when you are a young man, and you don't hit for average, you're gone. If you hit for an average, they can't get rid of you.
"And the third part, home runs will come."
Don't try to force it. There's more from the Hall of Famer.
"I tell people one out of 10 fly balls are hits, two to three out of 10 ground balls are hits, seven out of 10 line drives are hits, so get you a good level swing and use the whole field,'' Winfield said.
"Going around this spring, people have asked me 'What would you do about the shift?'
"I said, 'They wouldn't shift me because I could hit the ball anywhere.' If you learn to use the whole field there won't be a shift. If you try to beat a shift, you are limiting your opportunities, so learn to hit."
Judge, 22, is crafting that type of swing. He batted .250 with a .438 on base percentage this camp.
He said he enjoyed everything about his time in major league camp. Asked to pick one highlight, he did not choose his three-run, ninth-inning home run against the Phillies March 3, instead he mentioned Alex Rodriguez's first home run of the spring.
"He's a legend,'' Judge said of Rodriguez. "He's such a good hitter and to be on this team and be in the dugout with him and see all of that happen was amazing.
"The thing I really liked was talking to people about their hitting approach. Get your pitch and drive it. Don't miss it.''
And don't miss the opportunity to speak to a Hall of Famer with the same type of massive physical build as you.
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