New York Yankees fans have their mind set on rookie star Anthony Volpe as shortstop: "My SS. IKF doesn't make that play in his life"

If you were to go back only a few months ago, Anthony Volpe would not be a name known to the vast majority of MLB fans. After the youngster's exceptional play this spring, things are changing fast.

The 1st overall pick by the New York Yankees in 2019, Anthony Volpe was not expected to have any chance of making the roster ahead of the 2023 season.

But some stellar play out of the 21-year old is now causing many Yankees fans to favor him at the shortstop position. Yankees manager Aaron Boone has put Volpe in the leadoff spot throughout Grapefruit League play, giving fans a great glimpse of the young talent.

In a recent spring training match against the Washington Nationals, Volpe once again proved his spectacular athleticism. The New Jersey native made a diving play to record the out, and fans are just loving it.

Talkin' Yanks

@TalkinYanks

ANTHONY VOLPE WHAT A PLAY

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ANTHONY VOLPE WHAT A PLAY https://t.co/wwhXcBoO8M

"ANTHONY VOLPE WHAT A PLAY" - Talkin' Yanks

The play was enough for Yankees fans to further confirm what they have been saying for weeks. They feel Anthony Volpe deserves to be the starting shortstop for the New York Yankees.

DJ-NY2

@RealGarryC

@TalkinYanks Great to see a real SS again 🏻

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@TalkinYanks Great to see a real SS again 👊🏻 https://t.co/dmwp8e4mrz

Bryan

@Bryan_Keeley1

@TalkinYanks A REAL SS PLAYING FOR THE YANKEES?!!?

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@TalkinYanks A REAL SS PLAYING FOR THE YANKEES?!!?

Matt Manatakis

@matt_manatakis

@TalkinYanks MY SHORTSTOP

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@TalkinYanks MY SHORTSTOP

Much of the fire has been directed at the team's 2022 shortstop, Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Since coming to the Yankees from the Minnesota Twins alongside Josh Donaldson last spring, the Hawaiian has failed to impress fans. Now, Volpe has emerged as a solid alternative to a fanbase that was, at-best, lukewarm on "IKF".

CTorres_5

@christhegod24

@TalkinYanks “Can’t play short” “has no arm” Volpe doesn’t care what people think and i love it

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@TalkinYanks “Can’t play short” “has no arm” Volpe doesn’t care what people think and i love it 😏

Kyle Dickson

@anarch0centrist

@TalkinYanks My god it’s beautiful

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@TalkinYanks My god it’s beautiful

Despite starting over 130 games at shortstop for the Yankees in 2022, "IKF" has gotten no love from fans this spring. The 28-year old hit .261 with only 4 home runs throughout all of last season.

JORGE 🇩🇴

@J_OPTIONSTRADES

@TalkinYanks My SS IKF doesnt make that play in his life

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@TalkinYanks My SS 😭🔥🔥IKF doesnt make that play in his life

Mike Saccocio

@MikeSaccocio

@TalkinYanks Does IKF …

- dive and miss the ball completely
- dive but the ball bounces out of his glove
- make the play, but throws the ball into the stands

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@TalkinYanks Does IKF …

- dive and miss the ball completely
- dive but the ball bounces out of his glove
- make the play, but throws the ball into the stands

Although Yankees fans evidently prefer Anthony Volpe to be their opening day shortstop, the competition is far from over. 24-year old Venezuelan Oswald Peraza is also making a strong case for himself at shortstop, while second baseman Gleyver Torres has emerged as another option for the team.

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A long road remains ahead of Anthony Volpe

While there is no doubt that Volpe is a youngster with a tremendous amount of skill, the Yankees are spoiled for choice. A plethora of more experienced players are lining up ahead of the young player, and manager Aaron Boone's intentions are truly anyone's guess.

Even if a player is as obviously skilled as Volpe fails to crack the lineup this season, he will certainly have plenty of time to make his mark on the MLB in years to come.

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