With shortstop on lock, Volpe having 'a lot more fun'

TAMPA, Fla. -- What a difference a year makes. Yet somehow, Anthony Volpe isn’t approaching this spring any differently.

Unlike last year, when Volpe had to fight to win a spot on the roster -- let alone in the starting lineup -- the 22-year-old has no such worries this spring, as he’s already penciled in as the Yankees’ Opening Day shortstop for the second straight year.

Not that you would know it by talking to him.

“I've never really known a mindset other than just going out there, wanting to play well, compete and earn everything,” Volpe said. “I’ve never really had a camp where I've thought about stuff like that. I've always tried to go out and prepare for the season and tried to do my best, so that’s all I’m going to do.”

“Anthony is our shortstop,” manager Aaron Boone said. “I want him to work and get ready for the regular season, but he's not the type of guy that's going to take any day for granted.”

Aaron Judge understands where Volpe is coming from. Judge came to his first two big league camps in 2015 and ’16 with virtually no chance of making the roster, but after making his MLB debut in August 2016, he arrived at Spring Training in 2017 with an opportunity to win a starting job for the first time.

Judge did more than win the right-field job; he put up monster numbers that season, taking home the AL Rookie of the Year Award and a second-place AL MVP finish.

When camp opened in 2018, Judge’s place in the lineup was cemented, but he didn’t change his approach to the spring. Considering how quickly his fortunes had turned from the end of the 2016 season to his huge 2017 campaign, Judge knew nothing was ever set in stone.

“I always approached every spring like I was fighting for my job, whether I was an All-Star the year before or not,” Judge said. “I think [Volpe] is going to have the same mindset. Even though he had success last year and he won a Gold Glove, he's always trying to improve. There may be a little different mindset where you're not on your toes as much going through every single drill and you can work on what you need to work on, but I think he still wants to go out there and perform because there's always somebody coming for his job.”

Volpe seized his opportunity last spring, winning the shortstop job with an impressive camp. He went on to post a 20-homer, 20-steal season while winning a Gold Glove in his rookie campaign, starting 150 games at shortstop.

But not everything was perfect for Volpe, who had a .209/.283/.383 slash line with 167 strikeouts and an 81 OPS+ in 601 plate appearances.

“In the offseason, you take the time to reflect and go about how you're going to attack and make improvements,” Volpe said. “For me, this time it's just seeing all the work I did in the offseason, see how it's playing early in games and then make adjustments to get ready for the season.”

If there’s one notable difference for Volpe this spring, it’s his familiarity with his teammates and the rhythm of big league camp.

“This time last year, I hadn’t been around anybody; I was going through everything without really knowing them as well as I know them now,” Volpe said. “I think that just makes it a lot more fun in getting to prepare with everyone that way.”

“He’s an incredible, humble kid; to me, he's still that same kid,” Boone said. “I'm sure there's a personal comfort level because he has forged relationships now with key members on our club -- and he is now part of that group.”

Volpe has no specific individual goals for 2024, saying the team goal -- winning the World Series -- is the only one that matters. He’s prepared to do whatever he can to contribute to that cause.

“I learned a ton last season; for the team, it was frustrating in the moment, but I think with that frustration came a lot of motivation into the offseason,” Volpe said. “I'm definitely grateful for what happened; I think it built a really good foundation to build off of. Without that, I don't know if I would be the person or player or anything I am today. Going forward, I'll be able to take a lot of lessons I learned last season and learn from them.”