You can't browse social media or skim the latest headlines without seeing multiple mentions of Yankee phenom Anthony Volpe. In Saturday's game against the Phillies, Volpe batted leadoff and with four at bats he had three hits and scored three runs. On Friday, the Yankee top prospect also led off in a split squad game against the Twins with Gerrit Cole on the hill. Volpe went 1-4, and crushed his third home run of the spring—a 426-foot blast to the left field fences. At this point, with Opening Day just a mere five days away, my question is very simple—What Else Does Anthony Volpe Need to Prove?
"If Volpe wins the job out of camp, the addition of a rookie to the Yankees Opening Day roster has significant historical context. Volpe would be the first rookie in the New York starting lineup on Opening Day since Aaron Judge and the fourth Yankee since 1951 to make his major league debut on Opening Day," reported Bryan Hoch via Yahoo Sports. And why the hell not? The Yankees need to be bold if they are going to break their 14 year drought of even making it to the World Series. By the way, that year, 2009, was the same year Brett Gardner made his debut starting on Opening Day. And guess what, my championship gear is ready for a makeover so there's that.
“I guess [he’s been] everything we kind of expected and hoped for,” Boone said. “He’s looked the part. He’s come in and fit in really well, his work’s been excellent, and he’s gone out and performed. So he’s put himself in the mix, certainly,” reported The New York Post.
Volpe has been consistent this spring, hitting .308/.438/.590 in his first 39 at-bats. The Yankees have placed him in the leadoff position recently and he has not failed them. He has speed, he has plate discipline and he is ready to contend from shortstop this season. If not now, then when?
“There was so much excitement on my end to immerse myself in the clubhouse with the guys,” Volpe said on Friday in an interview with YES Network. “It’s been a big learning experience and going out to play has been a ton of fun, too. Watching guys' routines and seeing how they get ready for a game and the long haul of the season. It’s something I haven’t really been exposed to that much,” reported Yahoo Sports.
If the Yankees want to make a legitimate run for the championship this season then they need to consider that Volpe could be the spark this lineup needs to get there. Having him alongside his peers Oswald Peraza, and Oswaldo Cabrera and the new Yankee Captain Aaron Judge, provides a great opportunity for the second rise of the Yankee Baby Bombers—this time led by a former Baby Bomber. Now wouldn't that be something? What else does Anthony Volpe need to prove? In my mind, absolutely nothing.
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--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof
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