Anthony Volpe left speechless after making it to New York Yankees Opening Day roster: "I don't really have too many words right now"

Anthony Volpe during New York Yankees
Anthony Volpe during New York Yankees' Photo Day ahead of the 2023 regular season. [Source: Getty Images]

Anthony Volpe's announcement as New York Yankees shortstop has left fans elated. The 21-year-old rookie was declared as the primary shortstop by General Manager Aaron Boone in a video posted by the team management on Twitter.

Anthony Volpe was the 30th overall selection in the first round for the Yankees back in the 2019 MLB Draft. Last season he put on impressive performances in the A-leagues. Volpe hit 21 homers last season in 132 games for Double-A Somerset (18) and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (3), batting a combined .249/.342/.460.

Even in spring training this season, Volpe has been putting up solid performances. In 43 at-bats, Volpe has two home runs, a .404 on-base percentage and a .939 OPS.

"My heart was beating pretty hard, but I don’t know, I don’t really have too many words right now. It just feels amazing. I’m just so excited. It’s hard for me to put it into words." Volpe told reporters after the announcement.

The rookie also talked about the elation of sharing the good news with his family and close ones.

"When I got word that they were outside, to have that moment with them is something I’ll never forget," Volpe said.

General Manager Aaron Boone felt Anthony Volpe deserved the nod over other players

Aaron Boone had plenty of options at the start of spring training when it came to infielders. Initially, the position of shortstop was wide open, but the management felt that the respect Anthony Volpe has earned in the Yankees system was enough for him to make it to the Opening Day roster.

"We talked about it being a competition from the start, and not that spring training numbers were going to be everything, but I think when you look at Anthony's, first of all the reputation he's earned within our organization, we in big league camp and as a big league staff got to see that first hand for the better part of the last six, seven weeks," said Aaron Boone (via Yahoo Sports).

Volpe will be the youngest player on the New York Yankees roster since Derek Jeter. If his career goes as planned, the 21-year-old is destined to have a long and successful one.

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