TAMPA — Anthony Volpe hit 21 home runs even though his swing was too uphill by the end of his rookie season.
But Aaron Boone doesn’t expect Volpe to sacrifice that power with a flatter swing this year.
“I don’t think so, no, his strength is his strength,” Boone said Thursday before the Yankees hosted the Tigers at Steinbrenner Field.
“Overall, he was a very good fastball hitter, but last year his fastball just fell off. But this makes it easier for him to handle the situation and in certain areas that were exposed. I hope it gets better. But at the same time, it also puts me in a better position to deal with missed pitches out of speed, which often turn out to be extra base hits or balls hit out of the ballpark. Masu.”
Volpe hit .248 against fastballs and slugged .479 last season, but struggled more against breaking balls and off-speed pitches.
However, the 22-year-old has spent the offseason flattening his bat trajectory, which should allow him to better cover pitches in the strike zone.
Boone said he believes Volpe, with his improved swing and fewer chases, will be a hitter who gets on base.
Last season, he had an on-base percentage of .283, which was the second-lowest mark among 133 eligible batters.
“We’re hoping this version of him continues to move the needle in a direction where he can control the strike zone better and faster,” Boone said. “His at-bat was [this spring] I’ve been really consistent. ”
Gerrit Cole continued to build up for the regular season by throwing three innings and 47 pitches during live batting practice Thursday afternoon.
The current AL Cy Young Award winner is expected to make three more starts before pitching on Opening Day against the Astros.
“Right now, I’m just trying to take it one day at a time and work toward recovery,” Cole said. “It’s certainly moving the way we want it to and for the most part it’s located exactly the way we want it to be. So just keep moving up.”
Other than Tommy Kahnle, whose buildup has been delayed due to a shoulder issue that ended last season, Jonathan Loaisiga is the only member of the projected bullpen who has yet to play in a Grapefruit League game.
However, Boone said Loaisiga, who pitched two innings during batting practice on Wednesday, is “doing well.”
“I have no hesitations about him,” Boone said. “His work is where it should be.”
The projected roster for the first Spring Breakout Prospect Game, which will bring together each team’s top prospects on March 16th, was announced Thursday.
Some of the more interesting players expected to play for the Yankees, who have yet to get a taste of major league camp, include LHP Henry Laraine, SS Roderick Arias, SS George Lombardo Jr., and OF John.・There’s Cruise.
Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield and offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs were pregame guests at Steinbrenner Field to take batting practice, and several Yankees (including Aaron Judge and Juan Soto) I watched from behind the cage.
