New York Yankees top prospect Anthony Volpe has had incredibly high expectations since he was drafted 30th overall in the 2019 MLB Draft.
How high? Hall of Famer Derek Jeter was the comparison for some.
While Jeter was the epitome of what the Yankees stand for on and off the field, Volpe is doing his best to at least show why people consider him one of the best shortstop prospects in baseball during his early appearances in the spring training.
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New York Yankees infielder Anthony Volpe (77) throws the ball to first base during the spring training game between the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays on February 26, 2023 at TD Ballpark in Dunedin, FL. (Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
But if you ask Willie Randolph, who has seen Volpe up close in Tampa, he thought not only of Jeter but also of another Yankees captain: Don Mattingly.
«Some of those guys have ‘it,'» Randolph said. Mark W. Sanchez of the New York Post. «I see a bit of ‘it’ in [Volpe] in terms of its total approach.
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«You have a young player who is focused on getting better and focused on how to learn to play. That’s something that really excites me.»
Hitting coach Dillon Lawson also spoke about Volpe’s talent, saying, «He’s exactly what we all thought he would be.» The fans who have been watching the Yankees this spring are starting to take notice, too.
Volpe is 4 for 11 with three runs scored, a double and his first home run hit against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday.
Anthony Volpe #77 of the New York Yankees looks on during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 23, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (New York Yankees/Getty Images)
He also displayed above-average speed, stealing two bags against the Toronto Blue Jays in his first spring training game.
Volpe, however, is considered a long shot to break camp with the Yankees. Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Oswald Peraza surpass him in experience.
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But Randolph can see that Volpe is patient and works to hone his craft.
«Since day 1, he’s been here with me. You can tell he wants to be the best,» he said.
Anthony Volpe #77 of the New York Yankees smiles during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 25, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (New York Yankees/Getty Images)
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Between Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton Wilkes/Barre last season, Volpe hit .249/.342/.460 with 21 home runs and 65 RBIs.