When New York Yankees prospect Anthony Volpe reported to spring training, he had no idea he would be his team’s opening day shortstop in 2023.
Volpe, selected in the first round of the 2019 draft, has spent most of the past three seasons playing for the Yankees’ minor league affiliates. Widely regarded as a rising star, no one could have predicted how quickly the opportunity would get to him.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone spent the bowels of preseason feverishly trying to build a working infield lineup. However, after 2022 shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa failed to impress fans with his .261 average last year, the job was left open for new candidates.
•
Eventually, the 21-year-old was named the Yankees’ Opening Day shortstop, a position once held by Derek Jeter, whom he idolized growing up. a favorite of Yankees fans.
“Anthony Volpe with a TRIPLE! His first XBH!” – Talking Yankees
In a recent feature for ESPN, writer Marly Rivera shed some light on the role of Aaron Judge, the team captain, in making Volpe feel right at home.
Anthony Volpe grew up in New Jersey and is of Italian descent. In Rivera’s article, he explains how a December 2022 trip to visit family in Florence during the World Cup sparked his interest in soccer and, by extension, the video game FIFA 23.
By the way, the captain of the New York Yankees is a FIFA fan. Judge gained notoriety for his in-game abilities during the 2021 season, after Volpe and Judge hooked up during the game during spring training.
When the Yankees embarked on their first road trip of the 2023 season to face the Baltimore Orioles, Judge had a special gift for Volpe. The young shortstop found a new PS5 complete with the latest edition of FIFA. Anthony Volpe thanked his captain for his welcome gift:
“He’s very welcoming. He goes out of his way to bring me. He’s very generous and kind. And to have something like that with a new partner, it’s special.”
It wasn’t long before the two were set to face off on Volpe’s new console. Unfortunately, for Volpe, Judge has had years of practice developing his skills. According to him, Judge beat him 3-1 in his first game.
Anthony Volpe has a powerful ally in Judge
Although Volpe has only hit .158 this season, many fans and pundits are calling for patience with the youngster. The Yankees will play the Los Angeles Angels in a 3 game set next week. Perhaps Volpe could record the first RBI of his career against two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani.