When Volpe 'causes problems' on basepaths, good things happen

This story was excerpted from Bryan Hoch’s Yankees Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Anthony Volpe danced off first base in the fifth inning on Sunday afternoon as the Twins’ Pablo López came set at his belt, cradling the baseball in his right hand while eyeing the Yankees’ rookie over his left shoulder. The blur of high socks and white pinstripes halted for a millisecond, long enough for Volpe to recognize the pitcher’s motion toward home plate.

López’s left leg kicked toward his chest, and Volpe was in motion again, his spikes digging into the red infield clay toward second base. López and catcher Christian Vázquez had no chance: the pitch to Gleyber Torres sailed low and outside, bobbled by Vázquez as Volpe slid headfirst into the bag, safe for the seventh time in seven stolen base attempts.

“It’s definitely something I work on, and a lot of the guys work on,” Volpe said. “If there’s any opportunity in the game and we can find a window, I think everyone wants to take advantage of it.”

Since earning the nod as the Yankees’ Opening Day shortstop, the 21-year-old Volpe has enjoyed what he has described as “the best whirlwind” of emotions, including his first Major League hits and home run -- a leadoff shot to the left-field seats, tagged on Friday evening off Minnesota’s Louie Varland. (Volpe said he swapped a couple of autographed bats for the milestone memento.)

Yet Volpe’s most significant impact has been with his legs, helping him make an impact wherever he bats in the lineup. Volpe is the fourth Yankee in the last 34 years to steal at least seven bases through the club’s first 16 games of a season, joining Jacoby Ellsbury (seven in 2014), Brett Gardner (eight in 2010) and Derek Jeter (seven in 1998).

In New York’s 6-1 win on Saturday, Volpe became the youngest Yankee to swipe three bases in a game.

“I hope it helps,” Volpe said. “I feel like we have such great hitters behind me in the lineup, and if I can just advance into scoring position, they’ll drive me in and hopefully that will lead to more wins.”

Volpe’s success on the basepaths should not come as a surprise to anyone who has tracked his Minor League career; in fact, Isiah Kiner-Falefa mentioned this spring that he was looking forward to picking Volpe’s brain, given the prospect’s success in the Minors, especially while working with the pitch timer.

Volpe swiped 50 bases in 57 attempts last season, including a 44-for-50 showing with Double-A Somerset that helped him become the Minors’ first 20-homer, 50-steal performer since the Braves’ Andruw Jones in 1995.

“He’s just a great baserunner,” said manager Aaron Boone. “He’s incredibly instinctive; not a burner, but he runs well. He just does his homework. He’s gotten really good at being under control while also being super aggressive and working on his momentum out there. He’s just really heady and really good at it. He causes problems when he gets on the bases.”

Stolen bases are up throughout the game, and Volpe is poised to take advantage more than most, crediting the Yanks’ coaching staff (especially Matt Talarico, who is in his second year as the club’s baserunning coordinator) and scouting departments for their assistance.

“I’m not the fastest guy by any means on the team, so I think [Talarico’s] philosophy gives me a head start,” Volpe said. “I feel like if I get off to a good jump, I’ll be safe a lot of the time.”