The New York Yankees will move forward with top prospect Anthony Volpe at the shortstop position. After a successful Spring Training showing, the Yankees announced Sunday that Volpe would be on the Opening Day roster this week. The Anthony Volpe Rookie of the Year odds surged while a viral video of the shortstop being told he made the team was making the rounds on social media.
The video of Anthony Volpe finding out he made the team is just as awesome as you'd expect pic.twitter.com/CFlGsDM8NZ
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) March 26, 2023
Anthony Volpe Rookie of the Year Odds Surge After Making Yankees Roster
Per DraftKings Sportsbook, Anthony Volpe (+500) is one of the favorites to win the AL Rookie of the Year. He is behind just Gunnar Henderson (+265), with Boston Red Sox newcomer (and World Baseball Classic phenom) Masataka Yoshida also at +500.
The Volpe news comes as good news for Yankees fans who were forced to watch Isiah Kiner-Falefa handle the bulk of the shortstop duties last season. Although “IKF” had his moments, Volpe figures to be an upgrade on both offense and defense.
“I was probably pretty blacked out,” Volpe said shortly after getting the news, per NY Post. “If I had a heart rate monitor on, it would probably be my max ever heart rate.”
Although it became clear to fans and media members as camp progressed that Volpe had a real shot to win the shortstop competition, the 21-year-old insisted that he never felt he had the inside track until being told the news on Sunday.
“I was truthful with you guys every step of the way,” he said. “I really tried not to think of it. The only time my heart was really beating was when after the game [today] they said to hang around and they were gonna let me know either way. Just being out on the field and playing with all the guys and being able to compete helped me take my mind off everything that I really couldn’t control.
“For it all to come to fruition like this is pretty crazy.”
Volpe began the 2022 season in double-A, spending just 22 total games with the triple-A team at the end of the season. He combined to slash .249/.342/.460 with 21 home runs and 65 RBIs. In 51 Spring Training at-bats, Volpe has hit .314 with three home runs, five RBIs and five stolen bases.
The 21-year-old is poised to add a spark to the already-potent Yankees lineup, and the latest AL Rookie of the Year odds show the prospect has a real chance to bring in some hardware this season.
Be sure to use OddsShopper tools to find the best value throughout the MLB season!
