Yankees’ Aaron Boone wasn’t surprised by Anthony Volpe’s power after the first home run of the spring
Anthony Volpe is one of many young prospects at Yankees spring training this season. However, it may be the name fans and the group has an eye on the closest, and for good reason.
The Yankees’ No. 1 spring training prospect at shortstop is a big question mark heading into Opening Day. While he is shortlisted Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Oswald Peraza – the team’s No. 3 prospect – is fighting for the position, Volpe might have something to say about it.
Although many believe the 21-year-old will start the season in Triple-A, where he had just 99 at-bats last year, his impressive spring is not going unnoticed.
“I have high expectations, and [Volpe’s] come in and get me after it,” manager Aaron Boone he told reporters after Thursday’s game. “It is in line with the reputation he has earned in our group. He works hard. You can tell he loves the game. I think of our captain, Judge Aaron – one of the things that stands out is that he loves the game. So you get into the little things, looking and looking to find a little edge – he always does. “
So far this spring, Volpe is 4-for-11 (.364) with a double, two steals and a home run to pull off Thursday’s 9-1 spring training win. On a 2-2 count, Volpe launched an 84 mph breaking pitch over the wall.
“I definitely felt good. I was just trying to lead the game strongly and have a good bat for the team,” he said. Volpe said of his home run after the game. “I saw a couple of those pitches pretty well, but I was just trying to put the ball on the bat with two strikes.
“He’s strong,” Boone said. “Super low. It stays in the ground well. You can see him kind of sitting down in his leg. He is not deceived. He has a very good swing. He could send the ball out the other way. It is not tall, but it is thick and very strong. [The power] it’s not surprising.”
I shouldn’t be surprised to see Volpe grab one this spring. He had 21 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A last season and 50 total in two full league seasons.
But it’s not up to Volpe to complete the Opening Day roster. The organization will decide if they are willing to give him a chance or if he needs more experience in Triple-A.
Whatever the case, Volpe is just excited to play baseball.
“Just great to be playing again. With a bunch of teammates and guys that have been down here for a while,” he said. “We’ve been training really hard and we had these days circled on the calendar to to get back on the field, and get back competing against other guys, and not just each other.”
