DUNEDIN, Fla. — Dealing with queries regarding when he would know the winner of the Yankees’ shortstop competitors, Aaron Boone answered with one other query.
“When do rosters must be submitted?” the supervisor stated Saturday.
It’s 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.
Because 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 — that 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 Choose clobbered a double off the left-field wall.
“While you’ve obtained a man on the market on first in a position to sort of distract the pitcher from attempting to execute a pitch, particularly with our lineup, the center of our lineup, it’s solely going to pay dividends for us,” Choose stated of Volpe. “It’s simply going to present us extra alternatives 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 whole bases with the foundations that MLB is now putting in.
“It’s nice. He’s simply such all-around participant,” Boone stated of Volpe, who went 1-for-3 with a stroll and hiked his spring OPS to .990. “You may inform he actually loves simply all of the little issues throughout the recreation.”
Because the exterior debates over the beginning shortstop rage, the Yankees’ debate has not formally begun.
The Yankees will maintain a large assembly “in all probability early subsequent 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 fascinating.
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 seemingly will convey additional gamers for that recreation, suggesting Peraza and Volpe might nonetheless be with the massive league membership and awaiting a call.
The supervisor stated he doesn’t but know what he prefers.
“I really feel actually good about each gamers,” Boone stated. “That in a approach makes it tougher.”
Volpe regarded proper at dwelling on the high of the lineup Saturday, although he seemingly 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 on the high or the center of the order,” Boone stated of Volpe. “He controls the strike zone. Clearly a very good hitter. In his case, a very 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 a number of work into his arm power and has a fast launch, however Peraza has the stronger arm.
“They each have instincts. They each have good arms, good ft,” stated Yankees infield coach Travis Chapman, who beforehand had served because the group’s minor league infield coordinator.
“They’re each in a position to make the robust, separator-type performs that another shortstops can’t make, they usually go about it in somewhat alternative ways. It’s a number of enjoyable watching them play collectively.”
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 discipline.
A theoretical tie seemingly 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.
