Top prospect Anthony Volpe has ‘it’ issue, says Yankees legend

New York Yankees’ prime prospect Anthony Volpe has had extremely excessive expectations since he was drafted thirtieth general within the 2019 MLB Draft.

How excessive? Hall of Famer Derek Jeter was the comparability by some. 

While Jeter was the epitome of what the Yankees stand for on and off the sector, Volpe is doing his finest to not less than present why individuals contemplate him the most effective shortstop prospects in baseball throughout his early spring coaching appearances. 

New York Yankees infielder Anthony Volpe (77) throws the ball over to first base throughout the spring coaching recreation between the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays on February 26, 2023, on the TD Ballpark in Dunedin, FL. (Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Images)

But should you ask Willie Randolph, who has seen Volpe up shut and private in Tampa, he not solely considered Jeter however one other Yankees captain as properly: Don Mattingly.

“Some of these guys have ‘it,’” Randolph advised the New York Post’s Mark W. Sanchez. “I see slightly little bit of ‘it’ in [Volpe] so far as his whole focus.

YANKEES’ WANDY PERALTA TAKES ADVANTAGE OF MLB PITCH CLOCK, STRIKES OUT BATTER IN 20 SECONDS

“You have a younger participant who’s centered on getting higher and centered on tips on how to discover ways to play the sport. That’s stuff that basically excites me.”

Hitting coach Dillon Lawson additionally spoke to Volpe’s expertise, saying, “He’s precisely what all of us thought he can be.” Fans who’ve been watching the Yankees this spring are beginning to discover it as properly. 

Volpe has gone 4 for 11 with three runs scored, one double and his first residence run that was hit towards the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday.

Anthony Volpe #77 of the New York Yankees appears on throughout Spring Training at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 23, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (New York Yankees/Getty Images)

He’s additionally proven above-average velocity, swiping two baggage towards the Toronto Blue Jays in his first spring coaching recreation. 

Volpe, although, is taken into account a little bit of an extended shot to interrupt camp with the Yankees. Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Oswald Peraza trump him in expertise.

YANKEES’ AARON JUDGE CITES ‘BIGGER ULTIMATE GOAL’ FOR SKIPPING WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC 

But Randolph can see that Volpe is affected person and dealing on perfecting his craft.

“From Day 1, he’s been proper right here with me. You can inform he needs to be the very best,” he mentioned.

Anthony Volpe #77 of the New York Yankees smiles throughout Spring Training at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 25, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (New York Yankees/Getty Images)

Between Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton Wilkes/Barre final season, Volpe hit .249/.342/.460 with 21 homers and 65 RBI.