Yankees Pocket book: Aaron Boone sees Anthony Volpe hitting excessive within the order … down the street

DUNEDIN, Fla. — Anthony Volpe has been a constant presence atop the Yankees’ lineup this spring, however don’t count on the franchise’s No. 1 prospect to occupy the leadoff spot usually every time he cracks the large league roster.

With Volpe as soon as once more penciled in first for the Yanks’ spring contest in opposition to the Blue Jays on Saturday, Aaron Boone mentioned the 21-year-old’s future presence within the order. However the supervisor additionally mentioned that he plans on filling the one-hole with a veteran within the quick time period.

“His future lies in hitting on the high or the center of the order. He controls the strike zone. Clearly a very good hitter. In his case, a very good base runner, base stealer,” Boone mentioned of Volpe. “So I envision him as a future high or center of the order [hitter], however I envision DJ [LeMahieu] main off.”

LeMahieu, 34, has been the Bombers’ go-to leadoff hitter when wholesome since becoming a member of the membership in 2019. However the Yankees have a surplus of infielders, they usually may very well be cautious with LeMahieu’s workload after foot/toe points hampered the versatile infielder final season, so there will probably be days when another person bats first.

Nonetheless, the present plan is for LeMahieu to be the Yankees’ common leadoff man when he’s within the lineup.

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Talking of Volpe, Boone mentioned that the Yankees’ shortstop battle may go right down to the wire — a.okay.a. the top of spring coaching. Volpe has been competing with fellow high prospect Oswald Peraza and, to a lesser extent, the veteran Isiah Kiner-Falefa.

Peraza loved a profitable cup of espresso with the Yankees final season, whereas Kiner-Falefa not too long ago added middle discipline to his resume in an effort to extend his already-high stage of versatility.

The Yankees even have selections to make within the outfield and bullpen due to a handful of accidents. Boone mentioned that a big group of staff personnel will meet early subsequent week to debate the roster, and that the membership plans on brining “lots of additional guys” to Washington, D.C. for New York’s final exhibition sport in opposition to the Nationals on March 28.

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Boone mentioned that Harrison Bader is “doing higher than I believe we anticipated” as he recovers from an indirect harm and that he’s rotating properly. However the skipper added that the middle fielder is just not swinging but. On Friday, Bader was seen utilizing a red-light remedy machine to deal with the harm.

Carlos Rodon, in the meantime, performed catch Friday. The session went properly, and the Yankees’ greatest free agent splash “felt good this morning,” per Boone. The southpaw is working his manner again from a forearm pressure.

Reliever Tommy Kahnle (biceps tendinitis) didn’t throw as scheduled on Saturday; Boone mentioned he wasn’t feeling good. Lastly, catcher Jose Trevino (wrist irritation), is predicted to catch on March 21 and 23.

Boone mentioned that Matt Krook is amongst these “within the combine for a bullpen function.” The lefty has had a strong spring, taking a 3.60 ERA and 13 strikeouts over 10 innings into Saturday’s contest.

Krook, 28, has by no means pitched within the majors after spending time with the Giants and Rays organizations. However he’s on the 40-man roster, giving him a clearer logistical path than a number of the non-roster invitees he’s competing in opposition to.

Barring harm, Wandy Peralta is the one southpaw that’s a lock to make the Yankees’ Opening Day roster. Krook may assist in that regard, and he may additionally supply a number of innings at a time. Twenty-two of Krook’s 29 appearances at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre have been begins in 2022. He totaled a 4.09 ERA whereas putting out 25.7 % of the batters he confronted.