The New York Yankees signed high school shortstop Anthony Volpe, who they drafted 30th overall in the 2019 draft.
The New York Yankees officially signed Anthony Volpe, the organization’s first-round New Jersey product, per Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com via Twitter.
Volpe received a signing bonus of $2.74 million, which is $0.4 million above slot for the 30th pick.
Bonus for @Yankees 1st-rd pick @Volpe_Anthony is $2,740,300 (pick 30 value=$2,365,500). Heady HS shortstop from @DelbyBaseball can play SS, excellent bat to ball skills. @VandyBoys commit. Yankees Draft: https://t.co/1KyguAXaaI
— Jonathan Mayo (@JonathanMayo) June 10, 2019
Volpe is a strong defensive shortstop who is expected to remain at the position as he advances through the system. He is especially polished defensively for a high school player and his glove should not hold him back as he advances.
He is known as a hard worker who should do everything possible to make it to the big leagues. He projects as a player with more contact than power skills and decent but not high-end speed, in the mold of Yankees legend Derek Jeter.
The Yankees have plenty of power in their lineup from players like Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, so Volpe could find himself in more of a table-setter role in the lineup as the team tries to get them RBI opportunities.
Volpe will obviously need to develop in the minors, but the team has a good track record with developing middle infielders, from Jeter to Robinson Cano to current star Gleyber Torres. Assuming he hits enough to stay in the lineup his defense should make him a valuable, if understated, major leaguer.
