The first full week of Grapefruit League action has come and gone.
Entering week two, the Yankees have had a plethora of storylines from young prospects knocking on the door of the Bronx to veterans showing they still belong in pinstripes.
Position battles are still very much present and could last through the entire spring while Aaron Boone determines who he will take north on Opening Day.
Here’s how the players battling for a spot are trending after the first week.
INF ANTHONY VOLPE: TRENDING UP
The Yankees’ No. 1 prospect has been the talk of the town in the early days of spring training. The 21-year-old reportedly received a call from Brian Cashman informing him that he has an opportunity to become the Bombers’ Opening Day shortstop in 2023 and the New Jersey native thus far has answered the call.
Volpe is 5-for-15 (.333) with a homer, two doubles and two stolen bases while owning a 1.042 OPS.
The infielder has been the top performer in the exhibition games amongst the shortstop competitors — Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Oswald Peraza — and has placed himself firmly in the mix to trot out on March 30 against the San Francisco Giants. The Yankees have been put on notice.
“It’s hard to answer what the criteria [for Volpe to become the Opening Day shortstop] is,” said Boone after Friday’s loss to the Rays. “But we’re paying attention.”
INF ISIAH KINER-FALEFA: TRENDING DOWN
The incumbent in the Bombers’ shortstop competition has not had a great start to his spring.
The 27-year-old is 1-for-9 (.111) with an error at shortstop on a routine ground ball — something that derailed him in 2022 leading to the Bombers’ searching for answers in October at shortstop with Peraza and Oswaldo Cabrera getting starts.
Kiner-Falefa — who inked a one-year, $6 million deal to avoid arbitration in November — is being hunted down by Peraza and Volpe to take over the reins in the six-hole.
Boone mentioned that the infielder would be utilized at different infield positions such as third — where he won the Gold Glove award for the Texas Rangers in 2021 — and second base. Perhaps a display of versatility could help his stock rebound after a rough week.
OF JASSON DOMINGUEZ: TRENDING UP
The Martian has visited the moon multiple times this spring. Yankees’ No. 2 prospect Jasson Dominguez has shown he may be on the cusp of a breakout campaign.
The 20-year-old outfielder homered again on Sunday afternoon against the Braves and is now 5-for-12 (.417) with two homers — one from each side of the plate — and four RBI.
Dominguez lost a little bit of his luster after his first two professional seasons in the minors were a bit underwhelming — .731 OPS in 2021 and .837 OPS in 2022 — compared to the Mike Trout and Mickey Mantle comparisons he was receiving when the Bombers’ signed him to a record-breaking $5.1 million international signing bonus.
However, entering his third professional season, with a strong big-league spring under his belt, it would be wise to hold onto all Dominguez stock as it’s trending in the right direction.
OF AARON HICKS: TRENDING UP
If there were any believers left after his .642 OPS in 130 games season in 2022, now is the time to show yourselves. Aaron Hicks debuted a different batting stance this spring and there have been some positive results accompanying that change.
The 33-year-old is 3-for-10 (.300) including a 404-foot solo homer in Friday’s loss to the Rays. Hicks entered the spring as the favorite to win the Yankees’ left field job and has done nothing to deter his odds thus far.
“It definitely gets the competitive juices flowing, that’s for sure,” Hicks said of the position battle during Friday’s game on the YES Network. “Because, I mean, it’s my spot. I’m here to do whatever I need to do to make sure I get that position. But most importantly, I need to have a spring training that allows me to be ready to go for the season.”
Hicks was arguably a penny stock after last season, however, his spring performance and MLB rule changes such as banning the shift have things trending upwards.
OF ESTEVAN FLORIAL: TRENDING DOWN
It’s his last chance and he isn’t making the most of it.
Once top prospect Estevan Florial is out of minor league options this spring and headed to Tampa, Fla. in a last-ditch attempt to show he can provide value to the big league club. However, things haven’t gone according to plan.
The 25-year-old is 2-for-12 (.167) with one RBI and one stolen base this spring. Florial got some run with the Bombers last season as well hitting .097 in 17 games.
If Florial doesn’t make the big league club out of camp he’ll be placed on waivers for any of the other 29 teams to claim and the stock futures don’t look too promising if his goal is to remain in pinstripes.
OF RAFAEL ORTEGA: TRENDING UP
Rafael Ortega has been white hot this spring. The outfielder is 3-for-8 with two homers and five RBI and has pushed himself through the door as a legitimate candidate to fly north with the club.
As a non-roster invitee, the lefty is a part of the competition to win the left field job along with Hicks and Willie Calhoun — Cabrera figures to be more of a utility man as opposed to having one set position.
However, Ortega is more of a righty specialist as he’s a .211 career hitter against southpaws and .243 against righties. The Bombers have not shied away from platoon situations in the past and Ortega’s stock may be worth a look for investment.
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Source: Berkshire mont
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