Volpe's legs will provide fantasy value right away
The youngest Opening Day prospect for the Yankees since Derek Jeter, SS Anthony Volpe looks poised to make an early impact in the lineup and for fantasy teams, especially with his speed on the bases.
Video Transcript
- Having beaten out Oswald Peraza and Isiah Kiner-Falefa for the starting job at shortstop, 21-year-old Anthony Volpe is set to become the youngest player in a Yankees Opening Day lineup since Derek Jeter in 1996. Volpe, a 2019 first-round pick, was informed Sunday that he made the team after batting .314 with three homers and five steals in five tries this spring.
It's his legs that will provide Volpe with much of his fantasy value as a rookie. He stole 50 bases in 57 attempts between AA and AAA last year, and he's shown no hesitation in going when he's had a base open ahead of him this spring. 30 steals is well within reach, even though he'll be batting somewhere in the bottom third of the Yankees' order initially.
He's not as likely to thrive from a batting average standpoint. He hit just .249 in the minors last year, but nor should he be overmatched. That he struck out a fair amount in his career is partly the product of his selectivity at the plate, and he should work enough walks to maintain a solid on-base percentage, even if his average is lacking. He has the power to hit 18 to 20 homers, and if he can eventually make his way to the top of the potent Yankees lineup, he could finish the year as a top 10 fantasy shortstop.