TAMPA — While Anthony Volpe and Oswald Peraza have been locked in a high-profile competitors to turn out to be the Yankees’ beginning shortstop this spring, the 2 have additionally made it some extent to get acquainted.
The Yankees had already promoted Peraza to the majors for a cup of espresso final September by the point Volpe reached Triple-A, so they’d not had an opportunity to play collectively – or hang around – till camp started this 12 months. Both issues have modified in Florida, with the 21-year-old Volpe and the 22-year-old Peraza taking part in up the center concurrently every so often and even taking in a Tampa Bay Lightning hockey sport collectively.
“It’s our first time really playing together and being in the same clubhouse, but it’s been amazing,” Volpe informed the Daily News. “He’s a great teammate, and someone I want to play with.”
As spring coaching winds down, nevertheless, the Yankees have some choices to make pertaining to Volpe’s sentiment.
Which prospect – Volpe ranks because the group’s finest, whereas Peraza is third – would be the shortstop? Could each make the workforce? Will the commerce of a veteran infielder clear area for that? And which would-be rookie would transition to second base, whether or not it’s now or down the highway, if the Yankees’ purpose is to have the 2 function their center infield of the longer term?
While Peraza entered camp with an edge in expertise – he appeared in 18 main league video games final season, whereas Volpe logged 22 video games at Triple-A – Volpe has loved a superior spring.
Volpe, who led off and manned brief behind Opening Day starter Gerrit Cole on Friday in Tampa, started the day slashing .279/.404/.535 with 5 doubles, two longballs, three RBI and 5 stolen bases. He then proceeded to homer off the Twins’ personal Opening Day starter, Pablo Lopez, belting a first-pitch sweeper to heart subject for a two-run shot after the Minnesota southpaw struck Volpe out with the identical pitch in his first at-bat.
“He’s looked the part,” Aaron Boone mentioned afterward whereas heaping reward upon the teen’s in-game adjustment.
Peraza, in the meantime, has had far much less success on the plate this spring after he hit .306 over 18 MLB video games final season, plus a number of postseason begins. He was slashing .171/.293/.314 with two doubles, one dinger, one RBI and two stolen bases earlier than beginning at brief and hitting second within the Yankees’ Friday evening “B” sport in opposition to the Orioles.
“In both guys, you’re talking about well-rounded players. Offense, base-running, defense,” Boone mentioned in between video games, although he famous that Peraza has been “okay” offensively and that his “numbers aren’t great.”
Boone added that he “thinks” the Yankees will know their roster choices earlier than they go away Florida subsequent week, although he was positive to emphasise that phrase.
While the 2 have had disparate springs, there’s nonetheless an opportunity that Volpe and Peraza play collectively once more within the Bronx this season, even when just one begins the season there. Both gamers are conscious that one might find yourself at second base long-term.
“At the end of the day, we’re just having fun and trying to do the best we can out there,” Peraza informed The News when requested about taking part in up the center with Volpe. “And if the position presents itself, I know we’re gonna give the best we have.”
Adds Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who was within the shortstop struggle in the beginning of camp however is now specializing in an excellent utility job: “They can play their way into any role they want. It’s all up to them. [The Yankees will] definitely make room for them if they’re ready. But at the end of the day, it’s up to them.”
If the Bombers wish to get each youngsters within the lineup sooner or later, they could must make a commerce.
Between the 2 prospects, Kiner-Falefa, Gleyber Torres, DJ LeMahieu and Oswaldo Cabrera, there’s a surplus of choices that may play up the center. Kiner-Falefa and Torres have come up in commerce rumors earlier than, and Torres is the least versatile of the bunch.
“It’s exciting to think that you have two young players that can grow together,” former Yankees captain and visitor teacher Willie Randolph informed The News when requested about Volpe and Peraza. “You know, we’ve got a lot of infielders… so it seems to be a little bit of a crowded field. But I’m excited when I see young infield talent.”
However the Yankees’ roster shakes out, Volpe and Peraza are profiting from their time collectively earlier than camp ends. In addition to taking part in in a number of video games alongside each other, they’ve been selecting one another’s brains within the cage and within the infield.
“It feels great,” Volpe mentioned of his relationship along with his high competitor. “Even in early defensive work, stuff like that, getting out there together has been awesome.”
Peraza echoed related emotions, and Yankees coaches and gamers have seen them push one another to be higher.
“They’re both out there communicating quite a bit in-game. It’s good to see them laugh and smile occasionally throughout the game and constantly communicating on who’s got coverage and all that stuff,” first base and infield coach Travis Chapman informed The News. “Anytime you get guys hanging out and becoming closer, it’s a great thing, whether it’s eating together, or hanging out or playing video games or whatever they do.”
Kiner-Falefa, in the meantime, famous that “there’s no bad blood” between Volpe and Peraza, whereas Cole not too long ago raved concerning the optimistic vibes the neophytes have delivered to camp.
“There’s no bad choice,” the right-hander mentioned, “but it’s just kind of inspiring. It’s a good battle, and it’s fun to watch. Everybody kind of feeds off that energy.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com