The player who drew the most attention in the New York Yankees’ spring training this year was neither Aaron Judge, who won last year’s league MVP, nor Gerrit Cole, who signed the record for the best pitcher contract ever. All eyes were on a prospect who could solve the team’s shortstop thirst. Anthony Volpi (22), the team’s top prospect, was by far the main character.
Even at the beginning of the exhibition game, it was unclear whether he would enter the major league opening roster, but the atmosphere changed when he posted good results with a batting average of 0.309, 3 homers, 5 RBIs, 5 stolen bases, and an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 1.033 in 19 exhibition games. Eventually, he joined the opening roster and has been consistently playing as the Yankees’ shortstop.
Yankees fans have high expectations for Volfi. Not only does he have good skills and potential, but he has all the conditions to become a Yankees franchise star. Born in New Jersey, close to New York, Volfi was a “Yankees fan” who grew up with the goal of playing in a Yankees uniform since childhood. Derek Jeter was his idol. He also had the symbolism of being drafted by the Yankees in the 1st round (30th overall) in the 2019 draft.
As expected, the start of the season for this promising prospect, who started last year in Double-A and has only played 22 games in Triple-A, will be rough. As of the 16th (Korean time), the batting average for the season is only 0.186. Although his on-base percentage (.314) is high compared to his batting average, it’s hard to see it as a good performance. However, Volfi is clearly showing that he is gradually adapting to the league.
In the game against Minnesota on the 15th, he hit his first major league home run to change his mood, and in the game against Minnesota on the 16th, he went 3 on base, choosing one hit and two walks. Here, he showed off his expected feet by stealing bases three times. Although it is still early in the season, Volpi is making up for his lack of power by completing all six successful base steal attempts.
Volfi, who is 21 years old and 352 days old, became the youngest player to steal three or more bases in a game in the long history of the Yankees franchise. 토스카지노 The last example of a Yankees player stealing 3 or more bases in a game was the legendary Ichiro Suzuki. Ichiro, then 38 years old, recorded three stolen bases on September 20, 2012.
This year is a season in which the value of stolen bases as well as long hits has increased. This is because the base itself has grown physically, and the introduction of the pitch clock limits the pitcher’s checks to two times per batter. Runners have been able to go more bases relatively easily, and the actual number of stolen bases in the league has increased dramatically compared to last year.
That’s one reason the Yankees put him on their opening roster. Jeter wasn’t unusual either, with an OPS of .669 in his first 15 games. While Volpi’s start this season is drawing great attention, one point to watch this season is whether the Yankees’ shortstop concerns will be resolved.