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Cardinals, Red Sox, Yankees: 1 player that should excite each fanbase

By Scott Roche |
Apr 1, 2023; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (11) follows through on a single against the San Francisco Giants during the second inning at Yankee Stadium. The hit was hit first major league hit. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2023; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (11) follows through on a single against the San Francisco Giants during the second inning at Yankee Stadium. The hit was hit first major league hit. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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Going into every season, teams take a long hard look at some of their younger players to see if there are any that can make the jump to the majors and have success. Not every team finds success, but some do and it pays off.

This season, the St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox, and New York Yankees each have some young players that their fan bases should be excited about for years to come. All three teams are not where they want to be, or expect to be in the standings nearing the first quarter mark of the 2023 season, but there are three young players that should get the fanbases excited.

St. Louis Cardinals: Nolan Gorman

Last season, Gorman slugged 14 home runs and 13 doubles in 89 games. This season, the first-round pick in 2018 is already at 13 extra-base hits, including eight home runs. He has settled into the middle of the Cardinals’ order and is slashing .255/.346/.518 with 24 RBI.

Gorman has power to all fields and that was on display in the Cardinals’ 6-4 win over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday when he launched a first-inning solo home run to left-center. He’s not going to leg out many infield singles, but he’s providing some thump in the middle of the St. Louis order that they need along with Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado.

Even with Goldschmidt and Arenado, the Cardinals are still a dangerous team offensively and, if they can get their pitching in order, they can climb out of the basement in the NL Central. Gorman is just 23 years old and proving he’s going to be a contributor for the future and a player that St. Louis fans certainly should be excited about.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 6: Jarren Duran #16 of the Boston Red Sox looks on against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on May 6, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Red Sox defeated the Phillies 7-4. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 6: Jarren Duran #16 of the Boston Red Sox looks on against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on May 6, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Red Sox defeated the Phillies 7-4. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Boston Red Sox: Jarren Duran

Coming out of spring training, Duran was not in manager Alex Cora’s plans for the early part of 2023, but an injury to Adam Duvall a week into the seaosn changed those plans. Last season was a struggle, to say the least, for Duran, but he seems to have figured some things out this season and is playing more like the outfielder Boston was hoping he could be.

Last season, it was an all-around struggle for the 26-year-old. He had trouble tracking the ball in the outfield, no bigger mistake than allowing an inside-the-park grand slam to the Toronto Blue Jays. At the plate, he looked confused, was guessing on pitches, and lacked any kind of confidence. This year has been different.

At the plate, he’s cut down his swing, making contact more, and using the whole field which has resulted in him slashing .372/.420/.603 with two home runs, 14 RBI, and 12 doubles. His speed on the bases had been a problem for opposing teams as he is 6-for-6 in stolen bases. Defensively, he’s tracking balls a lot better and he is making the claim to hold down the starting spot in center field even when and if Duvall comes back.

If anyone said that Duran would figure it out this season, not many people would have believed it. I’m not saying that he’s going to be like him … but you can see some Jacoby Ellsbury in Duran this season when he’s playing the game he’s capable of. If he can continue his upward improvement, that’s a good sign for the Red Sox moving forward.

FORT MYERS, FL- MARCH 13: Anthony Volpe #77 of the New York Yankees runs during a spring training game against the Minnesota Twins on March 13, 2023 at the Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS, FL- MARCH 13: Anthony Volpe #77 of the New York Yankees runs during a spring training game against the Minnesota Twins on March 13, 2023 at the Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) /

New York Yankees: Anthony Volpe

As the Yankees were ready to break camp and head north for the regular season, manager Aaron Boone made the correct call in telling Volpe he made the Opening Day roster. The rising young prospect has proven him right and is settling into his role at shortstop and at the top of the Bronx Bombers order nicely.

After beginning the season at the bottom of the order, Boone quickly moved the 22-year-old to the top of his order and he makes things happen ahead of Aaron Judge, Anthony Rizzo, and the rest of the lineup. He’s only slashing .205/.300/.348, but he’s spreading around his 27 hits so far. He has three doubles, two triples, and four home runs, including his first career grand slam in New York’s 11-3 win over the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday afternoon.

He is grinding out at-bats, walking 18 times, and when he gets on base, he’s causing havoc as he has 11 steals. Yes, there is some drawback as he has struck out 42 times, but Boone and the Yankees will take everything the shortstop gives them offensively and defensively. There is no doubt that he’s the next rising star in the Bronx and a player Yankees fans will enjoy for a long time.

Young players can be hit or miss early in their career, but Gorman, Duran, and Volpe are proving that they are ready to take the next step and all three fan bases should be excited about their futures.

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