New York Yankees: Anthony Volpe, shortstop of the future?

The New York Yankees have been actively searching for their next franchise shortstop for a while now. Since Derek Jeter decided to hang up his glove and cleats in 2014, many have come and gone as the next “Jeter.” Some names labeled as the next franchise shortstop, but unsuccessful, were Didi Gregorius, Gleyber Torres, and Starlin Castro. There were many others that cycled in and out, but none could stick to the role and failed to live up to the name.

But what about this new kid, Anthony Volpe? He is a Jersey kid, well originally from the Upper East Side of Manhattan. He dons some resemblance to the come-up to Jeter, as both were first-round draft picks from their respective drafts. And then there is something about the hype surrounding both of them in their rookie seasons, the incredible amount of pressure and expectation to go out there and succeed.

Can we be witnessing the next coming of the Yankees future franchise shortstop with Volpe?

Anthony Volpe, The New York Yankees fan favorite

Yankees fans love this 21-year-old shortstop. They love his story, his rise to the big leagues, and his arrival with the Yankees. That was apparent on Opening Day when he was announced in front of the home crowd for the first time. And then, just a few minutes later, as the bleacher creatures made their way around the defensive lineup and went bananas when it came time to chant, “VOL-PE, VOL-PE.”

Since Opening Day, things have been up and down for the newcomer. Volpe has started 21 of the 22 games thus far this season, batted a shaky .188 at the plate, and is near the top of all of baseball on the basepaths with eight stolen bases. Recently, his crucial fielding error in the top of the sixth inning in their April 23 game against the Toronto Blue Jays drewplenty of attention. It didn’t directly affect the game, but the Jays did go on to score three runs later that inning that ultimately won them the game.

The young gun has also shown a fair amount of pop as well in the early going of this season. He has two home runs this season, a solo shot and a two-run blast that resulted in a curtain call for the Yankees faithful.

It is still very early to name him as the future of the New York Yankees at the shortstop position. It just is. We have only a tiny sample of what could, or couldn’t, be a star in the making. Only time will tell if Anthony Volpe is that guy or not, but things are certainly in his favor at the moment.