What Anthony Volpe’s call-up means for other Yankees middle infielders

On Sunday, the New York Yankees announced that their No. 1 prospect, Anthony Volpe, had made the Opening Day roster. Throughout the offseason, the Yankees publicly and privately discussed the team's shortstop competition between Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Oswald Peraza and Volpe.

Heading into Spring Training, Volpe was seen as having an outside chance of making the Yankees Opening Day roster because he'd only played 22 games in Triple-A, while Kiner-Falefa is a five-year veteran and Peraza made his MLB debut last season.

However, with his performance on and off the field during Spring Training, the soon-to-be 22-year-old earned his role on the Yankees' Opening Day roster. Volpe is expected to take over as the everyday shortstop, which is certain to affect the team’s other middle infielders. 

How Anthony Volpe's promotion affects Yankees' other infielders

Isiah Kiner-Falefa

Instead of opting to sign Carlos Correa or Corey Seager before the 2022 season, Brian Cashman chose to stand pat for the early offseason and through the lockout. When the offseason began again in mid-March, he acquired Kiner-Falefa and Josh Donaldson from the Minnesota Twins to shore up the left side of the Yankee infield.

Kiner-Falefa was durable in his first season in pinstripes, playing in 142 games, but he didn’t play at the highest level. At the plate, Kiner-Falefa hit for a fine .261 batting average, but his lack of power resulted in him being a 15% below-average hitter with 85 weighted Runs Created + (wRC+). 

Defensively, Defensive Runs Saved was fond of his work at shortstop with 10 DRS, but Statcast's Outs Above Average rated Kiner-Falefa in the 17th percentile with -2 OAA, and he definitely didn’t pass the eye test – especially in the Postseason, when he was benched. 

After March 9, the last day Kiner-Falefa played shortstop in Spring Training, it appeared he had already been ruled out of contention to be the Yankees' Opening Day shortstop. Throughout Spring Training, the Yankees have played Kiner-Falefa all across the infield and outfield, so it appears he’ll be used as a utility player with limited use at shortstop in 2023 -- or traded to another team.

Gleyber Torres

Over the last year, Gleyber Torres’ name has been brought up in trade rumors just as much as any Yankee. At the trade deadline, the Yankees reportedly nearly dealt Torres to Miami for Pablo Lopez, but the trade never went through.

Before making his Major League debut in 2018, Torres was a consensus top prospect that was supposed to be the next Baby Bomber star. In his first two major league seasons, it definitely seemed like he was on his way towards that ceiling, as he was named an All-Star and finished third in AL Rookie of the Year voting in 2018. While racking up the stats necessary for his second consecutive All-Star nod in 2019, he led all qualified second basemen with 38 home runs.

However, when Torres switched over to shortstop in the shortened 2020 season and in 2021, he had his two worst seasons as a Yankee. As a result of his poor performance, the Yankees moved Torres back to second base in 2022, and he produced a solid season, hitting .257/.310/.451 (115 wRC+) combined with a career high 9 DRS and 0 OAA defensively. His worst month, by far, was August after the trade rumors hit. It's in the Yankees' best interest to insulate him from drama, however possible that may be.

While Torres figures to be a vital piece for the Yankees in 2023, he becomes much more expandable if Volpe produces at a high level. The Yankees have already been known to field trade offers on Torres, so if the team feels they have the right offer in place for him, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Torres in a different uniform at some point. 

DJ LeMahieu

Of all the Yankee middle infielders, DJ LeMahieu is the least affected by Volpe’s call-up. LeMahieu was already expected to receive starts at second base, third base, first base and designated hitter this season, and Volpe’s promotion doesn’t change that.

Aaron Boone announced that LeMahieu will be the Yankees' leadoff hitter on Opening Day, but if Volpe is successful offensively, it wouldn’t be shocking to see him grasp the leadoff spot at some point this season.

Volpe is a much more dynamic baserunner than LeMahieu (especially coming off a foot injury), and with the new rules implemented, Volpe could be extremely valuable as a base stealer from the leadoff spot. In the event that Volpe does become the Yankees' leadoff hitter, LeMahieu would likely slot in as the fifth hitter in the lineup, but other than that, LeMahieu likely won’t be affected by Volpe.