PORT STREET LUCIE — Before the Yankees dreamed of rolling out a lineup featuring Anthony Volpe and Spencer Jones, that was Vanderbilt’s vision.
Two potential pillars of the Yankees’ future core are both signed by Tim Corbin as part of Vanderbilt’s 2019 freshman class, allowing Corbin to welcome both players to campus. That’s what I was thinking.
Of course, that meant the Yankees stepped in and drafted Volpe with a first-round pick in June of that year, using a local hook to lure him to a deal that never ended up in Nashville.
“When you’re fishing that pond, sometimes you have to throw the fish back,” Corbin said by phone Monday. “But that hurt.”
Three years later, the Yankees returned to that recruiting class and used a first-round pick on Jones, a two-way player turned outfielder, after he excelled during his junior season at Vanderbilt.
There’s a reason the Yankees continue to tap into Vanderbilt’s pipeline (and drafted George Lombard Jr. before he even arrived on campus, as they did last summer).
They have the type of players Corbin wants at Vanderbilt, and their makeup is just as strong as his tools.
So it’s not too surprising that Corbyn’s description of Jones sounds like it could apply to Volpe, and vice versa.
“[Jones] “He’s a very sweet kid, very empathetic, but at the same time he has a very good competitive spirit inside of him,” Corbin said. “He’s not a huge type of kid, but he works very hard on his game. I think he can play for a long time.”
As for Volpe, Corbin got to know him well through the recruiting process and saw what the Yankees saw: a mature teenager who is all about baseball (and schoolwork), a “ready-to-ready battery type” who takes the field. A player’s personality that makes a difference. ”
The longtime Vanderbilt head coach pinpointed the structure that helped the Yankees use Volpe as their starting shortstop last season and keep him in that job through good times and bad.
“We really loved this kid,” Corbin said. “I thought he was a championship-caliber kid. I thought he was the type of kid that would come into your program and take your team. [to the next level] Because of his personality, his charisma, his way of doing things, his energy, his skills. ”
Jones saw that as well, playing against and against Volpe on the high school showcase circuit.
They were teammates somewhere along the way, but Jones, who also starred as a left-handed pitcher in high school, also had to face his future teammates in area code games — Volpe played for the Yankees in his hometown of California, and Jones was playing for the Brewers.
“I don’t think it worked out well for me,” Jones said with a smile before hitting a double in the Yankees’ 5-4 loss to the Mets at Clover Park. “He was one of the top shortstops in the class. He was always a tough player at the plate and still is. I’m glad he’s on my team now and not over there.”
Volpe said he doesn’t remember how he fought against Jones.
“He’s still a great player with incredible physicality,” Volpe said. “It was really fun to play with him again.”
Volpe and Jones had gotten to know each other well before the Yankees called them up.
They took an official visit to Vanderbilt and were part of a recruiting class that also included Volpe’s good friend and high school teammate, Jack Leiter.
On the weekends, we attended basketball games, magic shows, go-karts, and toured around Nashville.
Initially, Corbin thought the 6-foot-6 Jones might be at greater risk of being drafted and dropping out of high school than Volpe.
However, Jones broke his arm while pitching during his senior year, and while Jones was drafted in the 31st round and guaranteed a transfer to Vanderbilt, the Yankees struck a chord with Volpe, making him a 30th overall pick. I signed him with the No. 1 pick.
If Volpe had gone to Vanderbilt, the Yankees might not have had a chance to draft him again, as they tend to pick late in the first round.
“Corbin knows how to recruit players from all over the country who have similar qualities who want to be good teammates and want to win,” Jones said. “We wanted to have Volpe on campus, but obviously what happened happened. It’s completely understandable. I think it was a good outcome for both parties.”
Jones and the Commodores reached the College World Series finals in 2021 and are one win away from a national title. In another world, Volpe might have been in the lineup to push them over the top.
In this world, at least in the near future, by the end of this season if not 2025, the Yankees would expect Volpe and Jones to be the mainstays of a lineup with a shot at the World Series.
“It’s definitely exciting,” Volpe said. “Especially with what we’ve seen so far.”
Both players are only 22 years old and will turn 23 soon, but they are playing key positions in the midfield. Volpe is already a Gold Glove-winning shortstop who will take important steps this season, while Jones has shown attractive potential as a center fielder this spring with his power and speed. During major league camp.
Aaron Boone said Tuesday that he had “just scratched the surface of a baseball career” before Jones was reassigned to minor league camp.
“I thought we were both going to play in the big leagues,” Corbin said. “I didn’t know how quickly Anthony would arrive. Anthony probably arrived sooner than I expected, but at the same time he’s very skilled. Spencer, yeah, Spencer can make it to the big leagues. I thought. I don’t know if he’ll do it this year. But he’s got plenty of talent.
“I think he’s going to really help that organization.” When the Yankees acquired him, I remember my wife saying, “I think he’s going to really help that organization.” [amateur scouting director] I think Damon Oppenheimer would be perfect for this too. When they were talking about him, I said, “Of course.” That makes sense. he’s a yankee He looks like a Yankee. ” ”
