Whereas Anthony Volpe and Oswald Peraza have been locked in a high-profile competitors to turn into the Yankees’ beginning shortstop this spring, the 2 have additionally made it some extent to get acquainted.
The Yankees had already promoted Peraza to the majors for a cup of espresso final September by the point Volpe reached Triple-A, so that they had not had an opportunity to play collectively – or hang around – till camp started this 12 months. Each issues have modified in Florida, with the 21-year-old Volpe and the 22-year-old Peraza enjoying up the center concurrently occasionally and even taking in a Tampa Bay Lightning hockey recreation collectively.
“It’s our first time actually enjoying collectively and being in the identical clubhouse, however it’s been wonderful,” Volpe advised the Each day Information. “He’s an amazing teammate, and somebody I need to play with.”
As spring coaching winds down, nonetheless, the Yankees have some choices to make pertaining to Volpe’s sentiment.
Which prospect – Volpe ranks because the group’s greatest, whereas Peraza is third – would be the shortstop? Might each make the staff? Will the commerce of a veteran infielder clear area for that? And which would-be rookie would transition to second base, whether or not or not it’s now or down the highway, if the Yankees’ purpose is to have the 2 function their center infield of the long run?
Whereas Peraza entered camp with an edge in expertise – he appeared in 18 main league video games final season, whereas Volpe logged 22 video games at Triple-A – Volpe has loved a superior spring.
Volpe, who led off and manned quick behind Opening Day starter Gerrit Cole on Friday in Tampa, started the day slashing .279/.404/.535 with 5 doubles, two longballs, three RBI and 5 stolen bases. He then proceeded to homer off the Twins’ personal Opening Day starter, Pablo Lopez, belting a first-pitch sweeper to heart area for a two-run shot after the Minnesota southpaw struck Volpe out with the identical pitch in his first at-bat.
“He’s regarded the half,” Aaron Boone stated afterward whereas heaping reward upon the teenager’s in-game adjustment.
Peraza, in the meantime, has had far much less success on the plate this spring after he hit .306 over 18 MLB video games final season, plus a couple of postseason begins. He was slashing .171/.293/.314 with two doubles, one dinger, one RBI and two stolen bases earlier than beginning at quick and hitting second within the Yankees’ Friday night time “B” recreation in opposition to the Orioles.
“In each guys, you’re speaking about well-rounded gamers. Offense, base-running, protection,” Boone stated in between video games, although he famous that Peraza has been “okay” offensively and that his “numbers aren’t nice.”
Boone added that he “thinks” the Yankees will know their roster choices earlier than they go away Florida subsequent week, although he was positive to emphasise that phrase.
Whereas the 2 have had disparate springs, there’s nonetheless an opportunity that Volpe and Peraza play collectively once more within the Bronx this season, even when just one begins the season there. Each gamers are conscious that one could find yourself at second base long-term.
“On the finish of the day, we’re simply having enjoyable and making an attempt to do the perfect we will on the market,” Peraza advised The Information when requested about enjoying up the center with Volpe. “And if the place presents itself, I do know we’re gonna give the perfect we have now.”
Provides Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who was within the shortstop combat at the beginning of camp however is now focusing on a super utility job: “They will play their manner into any function they need. It’s all as much as them. [The Yankees will] positively make room for them in the event that they’re prepared. However on the finish of the day, it’s as much as them.”
If the Bombers need to get each children within the lineup sooner or later, they could have to make a commerce.
Between the 2 prospects, Kiner-Falefa, Gleyber Torres, DJ LeMahieu and Oswaldo Cabrera, there’s a surplus of choices that may play up the center. Kiner-Falefa and Torres have come up in commerce rumors earlier than, and Torres is the least versatile of the bunch.
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“It’s thrilling to suppose that you’ve got two younger gamers that may develop collectively,” former Yankees captain and visitor teacher Willie Randolph advised The Information when requested about Volpe and Peraza. “You understand, we’ve bought numerous infielders… so it appears to be a bit of little bit of a crowded area. However I’m excited once I see younger infield expertise.”
Nonetheless the Yankees’ roster shakes out, Volpe and Peraza are benefiting from their time collectively earlier than camp ends. Along with enjoying in a couple of video games alongside each other, they’ve been choosing one another’s brains within the cage and within the infield.
“It feels nice,” Volpe stated of his relationship along with his high competitor. “Even in early defensive work, stuff like that, getting on the market collectively has been superior.”
Peraza echoed related emotions, and Yankees coaches and gamers have seen them push one another to be higher.
“They’re each on the market speaking fairly a bit in-game. It’s good to see them snort and smile sometimes all through the sport and continuously speaking on who’s bought protection and all that stuff,” first base and infield coach Travis Chapman advised The Information. “Anytime you get guys hanging out and changing into nearer, it’s an amazing factor, whether or not it’s consuming collectively, or hanging out or enjoying video video games or no matter they do.”
Kiner-Falefa, in the meantime, famous that “there’s no unhealthy blood” between Volpe and Peraza, whereas Cole recently raved concerning the optimistic vibes the neophytes have dropped at camp.
“There’s no unhealthy selection,” the right-hander stated, “however it’s simply form of inspiring. It’s battle, and it’s enjoyable to observe. All people form of feeds off that power.”
