TAMPA – Pablo Lopez received Anthony Volpe swinging together with his sweeper within the first inning Friday. In the third, it was the prospect who made the Twins’ Opening Day starter pay.
Volpe, simply 21 and vying to be the Yankees’ beginning shortstop, drove an almost an identical pitch to heart area on the primary providing of his second at-bat within the Yankees’ 6-4 spring coaching loss to the Twins. The two-run shot, Volpe’s third of the spring, caught the attention of his supervisor because the Yankees weigh some large selections with camp nearing its finish.
“He went to school on it and made whatever small adjustment he needed to and really, really leaned on it,” Aaron Boone stated after the sport at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
“He’s a heady, smart player, but he’s a good player. So it’s like he’s got the equipment to go do things, but he processes things really well. He learns. He adjusts really well.”
Volpe, in the meantime, praised Lopez’s sweeper as “a pretty nasty pitch – but I felt like I saw it pretty good.”
Volpe, the Yankees’ No. 1 prospect, is now hitting .277 with a .967 OPS this spring. He’s additionally recorded 5 doubles, 5 RBI and 5 stolen bases whereas impressing together with his protection. His principal competitors, No. 3 prospect Oswald Peraza, has additionally proven off his glove, although he was hitting simply .171/.293/.314 with two doubles, one homer, one RBI and two stolen bases earlier than beginning at brief and hitting second within the Yankees’ Friday evening “B” recreation on the street towards the Orioles.
Boone stated to not learn into the video games that Volpe and Peraza have been assigned to Friday. Volpe led off whereas enjoying behind Opening Day starter Gerrit Cole.
Th skipper added that each are “well-rounded players,” although he acknowledged that Peraza’s “numbers aren’t great” after the 22-year-old hit effectively over a handful of massive league video games final September.
Boone additionally stated that he “thinks” the Yankees will know their roster selections earlier than they go away Florida subsequent week, although he was certain to emphasise that phrase. Volpe, in the meantime, stated that he’s been making an attempt to dam out the approaching alternative at brief and luxuriate in what’s left of his time in Tampa.
“I’m just happy with all the work I’ve been able to put in. I feel like I’ve improved a lot in different parts of my game,” Volpe stated, including that the chance to study from the Yankees’ established main leaguers and coaches has been a useful expertise. “We’ve learned things that we’re going to take years into the future.”
Family Matters
Volpe stated that these near him haven’t been bugging him in regards to the Yankees’ determination – “They kind of know the situation and they’re respectful of everything” – however he does discover his household once they come to video games, together with Friday’s.
“They do not get embarrassed or feel bad about standing out,” he stated with a smile.
Outfield Options
Aaron Hicks began in heart area on Friday, however Boone stated that doesn’t essentially imply he prefers Hicks there whereas Harrison Bader recovers from an indirect damage. Rather, the supervisor stated he’s “just kind of juggling” his outfielders round in order that they get reps at completely different spots. Aaron Judge, for instance, made one other begin in left towards the Twins.
Boone additionally stated he expects Giancarlo Stanton to play the outfield early on this season, and that an Opening Day begin is feasible. Non-roster invitee Willie Calhoun continues to be within the combine for a job, too.
Rodon’s Recovery
Boone stated that Carlos Rodon felt good after the pitcher threw a bullpen Thursday, his first since mildly straining his left forearm. Rodon, sidelined since March 9, will in all probability have his subsequent pen session on Monday. He stated that he’ll combine in breaking balls after solely throwing 15 fastballs on Thursday.
“He’s had a good week,” Boone stated.
Clint Doesn’t Make The Cut
The Rangers knowledgeable Yankees castoff Clint Frazier that he is not going to make their Opening Day roster, in response to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. Frazier, who performed for the Yankees from 2017-2021 earlier than a quick stint with the Cubs final yr, has had a good however not nice spring.
The Yankees go to Texas from April 27-30.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com