Top prospect Anthony Volpe has made the Yankees Opening Day roster. Here is what their lineup could look like vs. the San Francisco Giants.
The New York Yankees had an open competition for the starting shortstop job for the 2023 season. Prospect Oswald Peraza was viewed as the favorite entering spring training, with veteran Isaiah Kiner-Falefa having a shot at redeeming himself after a disappointing 2022 campaign.
But then, New York’s top overall prospect Anthony Volpe caught the attention of the team, the fanbase, and baseball media with his play at short and his production in the batter’s box. It got to the point where it would be incomprehensible for the Yankees to send him back down to Triple-A.
On Sunday, Yankees fans received some great news — Volpe had made the Opening Day roster.
While he officially made the 26-man roster, he is undoubtedly their starting shortstop for Opening Day against the San Francisco Giants.
So, what would the Yankees’ lineup look like entering the March 30 game?
What Yankees Opening Day roster could look like with Anthony Volpe
In recent spring training games, Volpe had been batting leadoff for the Yankees, and he had been productive at that spot. So, what could the rest of the lineup look like?
- Anthony Volpe, SS
- Aaron Judge, RF
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Giancarlo Stanton, DH
- Gleyber Torres, 2B
- Josh Donaldson, 3B
- Oswaldo Cabrera, LF
- Jose Trevino, C
- Aaron Hicks, CF
Batting behind Volpe late in the spring has been right fielder and reigning American League MVP Aaron Judge. To get the most out of the top of the order, placing first baseman Anthony Rizzo third and Giancarlo Stanton at cleanup would be the best option.
From there, they can place second baseman Gleyber Torres fifth and third baseman Josh Donaldson sixth in the order. Torres’ bat is a huge plus in the batting order, and Donaldson has showed that he’s still got that power in his swing.
Filling out the final three spots in the order would be left fielder Oswaldo Cabrera in left field, Jose Trevino at catcher, and Aaron Hicks in center field. It would not be shocking to see the Yankees place Kiner-Falefa in either left or center field. Cabrera does provide more upside, as evidenced by his .333 batting average and .990 OPS this spring. Not to mention that center field is Hick’s natural position.
Whatever the lineup manager Aaron Boone creates, Yankees fans will be hyped up seeing Volpe, a New Jersey kid, making the start at shortstop in the Bronx.
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