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New York Yankees youngsters to get long look

By David Hill

Oct 20, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Oswald Peraza (91) throws to first base on a ground out by Houston Astros center fielder Chas McCormick (20) during the seventh inning in game two of the ALCS for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Oswald Peraza (91) throws to first base on a ground out by Houston Astros center fielder Chas McCormick (20) during the seventh inning in game two of the ALCS for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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There is a bit of a changing of the guard for the New York Yankees.

Even if Aaron Judge returns for 2023 and beyond, the youth movement has begun. The Yankees have refused to consider either Anthony Volpe or Oswald Peraza as they look to upgrade the roster. Other prospects, such as Jasson Dominguez and Austin Wells, are as close to untouchable as possible.

New York Yankees starting youth movement

The push for the Yankees’ youth to step forward will begin in earnest next season. According to Hal Steinbrenner, both Peraza and Volpe will “get a shot” to crack the Yankees Opening Day roster for the 2023 season.

At this point, Peraza is more likely to get that nod. He performed well in his brief trial in the majors last season, with 15 hits, including three doubles and a homer, in his 57 plate appearances while stealing a pair of bases. He also showed excellent plate discipline with six walks and nine strikeouts in that small sample size.

Volpe, meanwhile, has just 22 games of experience above Double-A. He had a solid .249/.342/.460 batting line in his 596 plate appearances between Double-A and Triple-A last year, hitting 21 homers and 35 doubles while stealing 50 bases. He would appear to be on the cusp of the majors, but the Yankees may want to give him a bit more time in Triple-A first. With Gleyber Torres and Isiah Kiner-Falefa on the roster, the Yankees do have the luxury of waiting.

That may be the proper path to take, at least with Volpe. As the Yankees have invested this much of their future hopes on their young middle infielders, they cannot afford to have them struggle or fail to live up to expectations. They need to be put in a position to succeed once they are in the majors, something that may lead to their ascension being delayed. The youth movement is coming, and will be a part of the 2023 season, but Opening Day could be an ambitious goal.

Next. Yankees direction hinges on Judge decision. dark

The New York Yankees are considering having both Oswald Peraza and Anthony Volpe as part of the Opening Day roster. The youth movement is here.

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