Anthony Volpe And What Can He VolBe?

Wingack

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View: https://twitter.com/TalkinYanks/status/1640093971845136386?s=20


Nice job by Boone and the crew here.

The kid needs his own thread as his journey in the bigs is just beginning. Plus, I think some of our Red Sox friends here are not so secret fans of his, so we should have a place for conversation about him.

As far as what can he be? I have said it before but he reminds me of Pedroia smaller guy with a quick swing and decent power in his bat.

View: https://twitter.com/Yankees/status/1640098194095853572?s=20
 

terrynever

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View: https://twitter.com/TalkinYanks/status/1640093971845136386?s=20


Nice job by Boone and the crew here.

The kid needs his own thread as his journey in the bigs is just beginning. Plus, I think some of our Red Sox friends here are not so secret fans of his, so we should have a place for conversation about him.
In the 1990s, Red Sox had a nice infield prospect from Jersey named John Valentin who worked out pretty well. Val went the college route. Jersey guys seem to travel well.
 
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jon abbey

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The big question is what position will he start at, SS or 2B, and if it’s SS, what happens if and when Peraza (a better defender) also comes up?

The other question is how long will it take him to become the leadoff hitter, NY has said a few times this week that LeMahieu will lead off. I say Volpe leads off for the first time (and from then on) on April 20.
 

Wingack

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The big question is what position will he start at, SS or 2B, and if it’s SS, what happens if and when Peraza (a better defender) also comes up?

The other question is how long will it take him to become the leadoff hitter, NY has said a few times this week that LeMahieu will lead off. I say Volpe leads off for the first time (and from then on) on April 20.
I think Volpe leads off in non-DJL games to start. But if he sits that is when they give him a crack at it.
 

billy ashley

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obviously exceptional talent will be interesting to see if he's able to adapt to MLB playing time right from the jump. Wouldn't be surprised at all if he struggles initially, but should be a mainstay in the middle infield for a long while.

The jump to the high minors was absolutely brutal last season, and Volpe excelled, reducing his K rate while increasing his BB rate a tick. I think he's going to be more of a "good player across the board" than a star for New York but I'd by thrilled if I were a Yankee fan.
 

jon abbey

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Last year Volpe was the first minor leaguer at any position to have a 20 HR/50 SB season since Andruw Jones in 1995.
 

billy ashley

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Last year Volpe was the first minor leaguer at any position to have a 20 HR/50 SB season since Andruw Jones in 1995.
Yeah, I don't really buy the steals being nearly that high in the majors. I buy the power. Fan graphs has him currently at hit: 45 (55 projection), 45 Game Power (60 Projection), 45 speed (40), 40 Defense (45).

He seems like a good all-around prospect with 1 real plus skill (power) and a bunch of 50(ish) skills with very good baseball IQ, which could very easily mean that those skills play up a bit.

Again, that seems like a really good player (like 3-4 win a season) but I'm not sure if that's a star. I also think that he does enough well that even if he doesn't hit his projection in one area, there's enough to like all around that he'd still be a starting-caliber middle infielder.
 

Jason Bae

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ZiPS is pretty optimistic. .234/.318/.407, 108 wRC+, 24 stolen bases, 3.5 WAR as a 22-year-old rookie.
 

BigSoxFan

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Yeah, I don't really buy the steals being nearly that high in the majors. I buy the power. Fan graphs has him currently at hit: 45 (55 projection), 45 Game Power (60 Projection), 45 speed (40), 40 Defense (45).

He seems like a good all-around prospect with 1 real plus skill (power) and a bunch of 50(ish) skills with very good baseball IQ, which could very easily mean that those skills play up a bit.

Again, that seems like a really good player (like 3-4 win a season) but I'm not sure if that's a star. I also think that he does enough well that even if he doesn't hit his projection in one area, there's enough to like all around that he'd still be a starting-caliber middle infielder.
He had 5 SB in ST and the rules are obviously easier now. I don’t see 50 steals but 30-40 could easily happen if he plays a full season. He has great instincts on the bases.
 

Thurms Ghost

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The big question is what position will he start at, SS or 2B, and if it’s SS, what happens if and when Peraza (a better defender) also comes up?

The other question is how long will it take him to become the leadoff hitter, NY has said a few times this week that LeMahieu will lead off. I say Volpe leads off for the first time (and from then on) on April 20.
Jeter batted leadoff for the first time on Saturday April 27, 1996
 

jon abbey

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I don’t know how much they’ll let him steal hitting 9th (so LeMahieu and Judge following), but his speed and baserunning instincts have really impressed this spring.
 

Bread of Yaz

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I don’t know how much they’ll let him steal hitting 9th (so LeMahieu and Judge following), but his speed and baserunning instincts have really impressed this spring.
How are Yankees going to deploy LeMahieu - is he taking over third, or a super utility role getting 500 ABs from spelling Rizo, Torres and Donaldson depending on match ups and need for rest?
 

jon abbey

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How are Yankees going to deploy LeMahieu - is he taking over third, or a super utility role getting 500 ABs from spelling Rizzo, Torres and Donaldson depending on match ups and need for rest?
Looks like the latter for now.
 

jon abbey

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“This coming Thursday, he’ll be the youngest Yankee, at 21 years and 336 days old, to make his debut for the organization since his idol, Derek Jeter, did so at 21 years, 281 days old in 1996.”
 

jon abbey

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Also with Bader out, Stanton will play more RF, Judge in CF, and in those games, all of DJ/Gleyber/Donaldson can play (2B/3B/DH).
 

jon abbey

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Don’t the Yankees get an extra year of service time if they wait a few weeks?
Yes, but if he ends up in the top three in the Rookie of the Year voting, he gets the full year service time anyway, that happened with Rutschman last year.
 

wallypip

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I like Volpe in the 9 spot. I don't think he will steal bases in great volume, but that is a great place to have a guy who can steal situationally. DJ at his best hits for a high average and puts the ball in play a lot, so it is also good to have speed in front of him just to avoid some DPs, to go first to third on singles, score on gappers, etc.
 

terrynever

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“This coming Thursday, he’ll be the youngest Yankee, at 21 years and 336 days old, to make his debut for the organization since his idol, Derek Jeter, did so at 21 years, 281 days old in 1996.”
How many future big league shortstops has Jeter inspired over the past two decades?
 

jon abbey

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Heh, he actually turned down an offer to come back and play for TOR (not this year, last year? I don't remember the specifics), he only wanted to play for NY and they didn't want him, so indeed he is now trying to lead his team in qualifying for the first IBC (Interplanetary Baseball Classic).
 

jon abbey

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Damn, Knoblauch had a three year stretch of 22.1 bWAR with MIN, did not remember that.