Unable to watch Anthony Volpe play baseball – or talk to him, for that matter – and not be impressed. He is talented, dynamic and engaging.
For these reasons, the fan buzz about Volpe leaving camp with the team is understandable. For now, any momentum on that front is external to the Yankees and not a topic that has been seriously discussed within the organization.
According to sources, the Yankees have yet to arrive in spring training at their spring training sessions, where the shortstop situation was widely discussed. When the owner Hal Steinbrenner or manager Aaron Boone asked the reporter, they answered, but the front office and coaching staff about Volpe and Oswald Peraza.
There is a fairly broad consensus among scouts who cover the Yankees system that Peraza’s shortstop is better. The Yankees themselves believe that both Peraza and Volpe project as major league shortstops, and that there is no need for the club to announce the future of either position.
When it comes to making the Opening Day roster, Peraza makes sense over Volpe because he has more experience in Triple-A and the big leagues and even started a playoff game last year.
If Volpe has become a popular choice among fans, it’s probably because of his electric style of play and engaging personality. The Yankees believe they have a “good problem” with two of their top shortstop prospects. Both players will be considered when it comes time for the team’s scouts, front office and coaching staff to discuss the roster.
As always, the VP of baseball operations Tim Nairing — “My Jenny Michael” as GM Brian Cashman likes to call him, a reference to the legendary evaluator and former Yankees GM — will be a key voice in the evaluation, as will others.
But if anyone out there feels like the process is leaning toward Volpe, pump the breaks. The Yankees didn’t even make it past that meeting.