DUNEDIN, Fla. — Facing queries regarding when he would know the winner of the Yankees’ shortstop competitors, Aaron Boone answered with one other query.
“When do rosters have to be submitted?” the supervisor stated Saturday.
It is unlikely the Yankees truly will wait till the morning of March 30, hours earlier than the primary pitch on Opening Day, to disclose the identification of their beginning shortstop, however Boone’s message was clear: This might take some time.
As the Yankees world waits and debates about Anthony Volpe versus Oswald Peraza, Volpe impressed once more — this time significantly on the basepaths — throughout a 5-2 loss to the Blue Jays at TD Ballpark.
Volpe, hitting leadoff, labored a stroll after which labored into the pinnacle of Toronto righty Bowden Francis.
Volpe danced off first base and compelled Francis to throw over twice — which means one other unsuccessful pick-off try would transfer Volpe to second.
Volpe took a big lead.
With Francis centered on the runner on first, Aaron Judge clobbered a double off the left-field wall.
“When you’ve got a guy out there on first able to kind of distract the pitcher from trying to execute a pitch, especially with our lineup, the middle of our lineup, it’s only going to pay dividends for us,” Judge stated of Volpe. “It’s just going to give us more opportunities for pitches over the plate.”
Boone laughed when requested about Volpe’s behavior of annoying pitchers.
As a minor leaguer final season, Volpe stole 50 complete bases with the principles that MLB is now putting in.
“It’s great. He’s just such a good all-around player,” Boone stated of Volpe, who went 1-for-3 with a stroll and hiked his spring OPS to .990. “You can tell he really loves just all the little things within the game.”
As the exterior debates over the beginning shortstop rage, the Yankees’ debate has not formally begun.
The Yankees will maintain a large assembly “probably early next week,” Boone stated, to hash out roster uncertainties.
Many departments will likely be represented, together with possession, with Hal Steinbrenner anticipated to be current.
There are different roster arguments available, together with fourth outfielder and the final members of the bullpen, however the shortstop battle has been charming.
Boone stated it might go till the very finish of camp — and even past that.
The Grapefruit League ends March 27, and the Yankees then will head to Washington for an exhibition in opposition to the Nationals on March 28.
Boone stated they possible will convey additional gamers for that sport, suggesting Peraza and Volpe might nonetheless be with the massive league membership and awaiting a choice.
The supervisor stated he doesn’t but know what he prefers.
“I feel really good about both players,” Boone stated. “That in a way makes it harder.”
Volpe seemed proper at house on the prime of the lineup Saturday, although he possible wouldn’t be discovered there too usually this season.
DJ LeMahieu, who didn’t play, will often be the leadoff hitter.
“His future lies in hitting at the top or the middle of the order,” Boone stated of Volpe. “He controls the strike zone. Obviously a really good hitter. In his case, a really good base runner and base stealer.”
If Volpe holds the sting together with his bat, Peraza is seen as the higher defender at shortstop.
The 22-year-old from Venezuela, who didn’t play Saturday, usually has manned shortstop when paired with Volpe, who has shifted over to second base.
Volpe has put plenty of work into his arm power and has a fast launch, however Peraza has the stronger arm.
“They both have instincts. They both have good hands, good feet,” stated Yankees infield coach Travis Chapman, who beforehand had served because the group’s minor league infield coordinator.
“They’re both able to make the tough, separator-type plays that some other shortstops can’t make, and they go about it in a little different ways. It’s a lot of fun watching them play together.”
They each have surged forward of Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who jumped again into the infield and performed second base Saturday, a day after he started his experiment of enjoying heart subject.
A theoretical tie possible would go to Peraza, who already is on the 40-man roster.
If the Yankees go for Volpe, the 21-year-old New Jerseyan, they must clear house on the 40-man roster.
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