KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In the spring of 2023, the Yankees named Anthony Volpe to their opening day roster despite playing just 22 games at the Triple-A level.
At the time, Aaron Boone noted Volpe's “energy” and “obvious instincts that he has.”
Volpe has had his fair share of hardships during his two seasons in the Bronx, but so far this October he has lived up to Boone's demands.
Again on Wednesday night, in a 3-2 win over Kansas City in Game 3 of the ALDS, a game in which the Yankees missed out on victory from the ALCS, Volpe reached base three times, and in the bottom of the first inning, Vinny Pascantino He made a stunning diving catch of the liner. The Yankees maintained a one-point lead and finished in 8th place.
“It was weird,” Volpe said of the play. “He hit it harder and I thought he went to cover and hit a triple, but then he realized the ball was soft and went for it.”
Luke Weaver ultimately escaped the inning without any damage.
“It would have been a big deal out there,” Weaver said.
Volpe, who grew up dreaming of playing shortstop for the Yankees, simply called his first playoff experience “a lot of fun.”
“There were a lot of off days,” Volpe said of the playoffs. “I look forward to every game. We couldn't take a step back.”
If he does, Wednesday will likely be a highlight. He led off with a single to center field in the top of the fifth inning, and not only did he score late in the inning, he also issued two walks late in the game.
However, it was the one out in the bottom of the 8th inning that had the biggest impact on the victory.
After Tommy Kahnley struck out Michael Massie to start the inning, Weaver came on and was hit by Bobby Witt Jr. with an infield hit to left.
Pascantino followed with a soft liner to center field. Volpe, who was shaded like that, made a diving catch behind second base.
If the ball had gone to center field, the Royals would have had runners on the corners with one out. Witt instead retreated to first base, and Weaver allowed a hit to Salvador Perez, but came out of the inning with the Yankees still in the lead.
“It was disgusting,” Jazz Chisholm Jr. said.
“That's why he's our Gold Glove.” [winner]” said Juan Soto. “It's unbelievable. He does it every day. No matter what his situation is, he's always going to play the defense we need.”
