After his first run through a major league spring training, Yankees top prospect Anthony Volpe spent camp gaining experiences around veterans and fighting for a spot on the Opening Day roster.
“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.”
Volpe’s bat remains a highlight of his development and an area of his game that led to his rise through the system.
“A lot of credit goes to our hitting staff,” Volpe said. “They really put an emphasis on getting your pitch and trying to hit it hard. It’s challenging and prepares me and the young players. We challenge ourselves every day to get as ready for the game as possible.”
Entering the final weekend of spring training, the organization’s top prospect hit .279 in Grapefruit League play with a .939 OPS, including a home run on Friday against Minnesota. While he remains in the mix for the Opening Day nod at shortstop, Volpe recognizes that the continuation of his own development remains a top priority.
“I just think it’s all about development. I’m super happy about how I came in in January. I’m not close to my ceiling yet. I’m motivated.”
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, per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.