Volpe's speed isn't just impressive. It's historic

Anthony Volpe has already made a sizable impact on the Yankees' roster. New York's top prospect and the No. 5 prospect on MLB Pipeline's Top 100 list has more than held his own in his debut weekend, and then some.

When Volpe stole third base in the seventh inning of the Yanks' 6-0 win against the Giants on Sunday, he became just the fifth player since 1901 to steal a base in each of his first three MLB games. He’s the first to do it since the Reds' Billy Hamilton 10 years ago.

“I think a lot of credit goes to our coaching staff and the staff that puts together the reports on stealing bags,” Volpe said. “We want to make it as low risk as you can. I think the modern game has gotten away from stealing bags.”

Volpe led off the seventh with a walk, with the Yankees up, 4-0. He went to second on a wild pitch by Giants right-hander Sean Hjelle. After Gleyber Torres walked in that at-bat, Aaron Judge struck out, but Volpe and Torres pulled off a double steal to put runners on second and third with one out. Anthony Rizzo then hit a sacrifice fly to center fielder Mike Yastrzemski, scoring Volpe to make it a 5-0 lead.

“I really wanted to get to third. It ended up happening there,” Volpe said. “It was an easier RBI chance, especially late in the game. I want to try and push the envelope and extend the lead. Every run matters.”

Hjelle said he was more worried about throwing strikes and acknowledged that his attention on Volpe started to falter.

“Credit to [Volpe], he took advantage of it,” Hjelle said. “I know I haven't been in MLB very long, but you could have told me that guy has two or three years under his belt, and I would have believed you. He looks pretty dang natural out there.”

Hjelle isn’t the only one impressed by Volpe. Rizzo likes the way Volpe has handled himself in the ninth spot in the lineup.

“When he gets on base, [Volpe] is an instant threat,” Rizzo said. “… Even with two strikes and a runner on third, it makes me relax a lot more knowing I can put the ball in play, just get that run in. Every run you add on late in the game usually pays off big time.”

It’s hardly surprising that Volpe has flashed this kind of baserunning prowess. While his overall skill set is what has many people excited, it’s his speed that really stood out in the Minors. After swiping 33 bases in 2021, he stole 50 bases last season while only being thrown out seven times.

Volpe has brought a fresh, dynamic element to a Yankees team that needed this speed set to counterbalance their power-heavy lineup. The 21-year-old has the perfect blend of abilities, explosive tools and charisma that is sure to make him one of the most popular Bronx Bombers in the years to come. One of the ways that Volpe will do that is by stealing bases. He seems to be on the right path already.

“I just want to impact every game any way I can," Volpe said. "Definitely, when I get on base, whether I go or whether I don’t, just threatening the other team, having them think about me and think a little less about [the hitter]. Just on a day-to-day basis, I want them to think about me on the bases.”

Asked if he could be another Rickey Henderson, who stole bases in bunches en route to MLB's all-time record in steals, Volpe said, “That sounds crazy. Maybe. I try not to look too far into the future. I treat every day the same. If the opportunity presents itself, I’ll try to take advantage of it. If it doesn’t, stay calm and be a good teammate for the rest of the guys in the lineup.”

Entering Monday’s series opener against the Phillies, Volpe is 2-for-9 (.222) with a .364 on-base percentage.

“He has been very poised, and it looks like he has been having fun at the same time,” Rizzo said about Volpe. “He is relaxed. He is easy to talk to. You wouldn’t think he is a rookie. That’s for sure.”