New York Yankees' Anthony Volpe praised for 'elite' potential

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Anthony Volpe is scheduled Thursday to become the youngest New York Yankees starting shortstop since Hall of Famer Derek Jeter's debut at 20 years old in 1995. While that might be a daunting task for any other 21-year-old who grew up in a household of Yankees fans, Volpe is no ordinary young man.

«In a way, he's been bred for this,» said manager Aaron Boone after the team's last spring game against the Nationals in Washington D.C. on Tuesday. «You look at [Volpe's] childhood, growing up, being a giant Yankee fan, going to Yankee Stadium, being a smart kid, on his way to Vanderbilt, but getting drafted by his team. And who he's been in the organization since he was drafted and how he's developed and the reputation that he's earned. For being a young man and being 21, I think he's as equipped as anyone to handle it.»

Volpe, who was raised in Watchung, New Jersey, about 30 miles west of New York City, grew up idolizing Yankees legends such as Willie Randolph and Derek Jeter, dreaming of one day suiting up in pinstripes.

Aaron Judge, the reigning American League MVP and new Yankees captain, can certainly relate to the expectations that come from being a homegrown Yankee. He lauded Volpe's maturity.

«You wouldn't know he's 21,» said Judge, who won Rookie of the Year when he made his major league debut in 2017. «Like, if I saw that kid playing, and he told me he was a 27-year-old guy we just traded for, I'd be like, 'Oh yeah, looks like he's got some experience.' Just his demeanor, his calmness, it's fun to see and fun to have that in the lineup.»

It has been Volpe's demeanor, and especially the dedication to his craft, that has impressed Yankees ace Gerrit Cole about Volpe, particularly considering the