Anthony Volpe, the New York Yankees #1 prospect, grew up rooting for Derek Jeter. Making the Yankees’ opening day roster after a hot preseason, Volpe will try to pick up where his idol left off.
Volpe is who is only 21 years old will be joining the Yankees on their trip back to NY for opening day this Thursday. He got the news yesterday when manager Aaron Boone, brought him into his office to give him "disappointing news" as he faked him out letting him know he will be joining the team in NY. These PR videos have become popular around the MLB as teams break the news to their young prospects rewarding them with an MLB roster spot after an impressive spring training.
“My heart was beating pretty hard,” Volpe told reporters on Sunday, after Aaron Boone delivered the news in the manager’s office at Steinbrenner Field. “I don’t really have too many words right now. It just feels amazing.”
Volpe swung a hot bat this spring, and exceeded the already high expectations that have surrounded him. Heading into Sunday's action, he went 16 for 51 (.314) with six doubles, a triple, three homers, five RBI, 13 runs and five stolen bases. With the Yankees having already started to move Isaiah Kiner-Falefa around the field as a utility backup, it looked like the path might be clear for Oswald Peraza, but Volpe's work this spring appears to have won the team over. Peraza had a difficult spring at the plate, which made the decision even easier for the Yankees to give Volpe the nod.
Volpe was the Yankees' first-round pick out of high school in 2019 and has made a quick trip to the majors despite there being no minor-league season in 2020. His name was mentioned in trade talks a few times in recent years, but it was usually due to other teams asking the Yankees about him and the Yankees refusing to include him in any trade packages.
Aaron Boone has come out and said that Volpe most likely will hit 9th this Thursday. This could serve as a prime spot for the rookie to step right into some comfort as he will be "protected" in a star studded line up. Hitting Volpe 9th allows him to go in with a mind set to not do much and hopefully settle in and continue how he hit in spring training.
This will very likely mark an offensive upgrade at the shortstop position for the Yankees. Yankees shortstops last season hit .247/.308/.316. Defense, of course, factors in as well. In terms of wins above average by position, the Yankees ranked 15th last season. Excited to see what Volpe can provide to a team that is already battling positional and rotation injuries, in addition to their only free agent signings being players who were on the team last year. Volpe will get a very loud ovation on Thursday in the Bronx, as every Yankee fan will be stumbling across 161st street after being over served Miller Lites at Billy Sports Bar.