Boone makes mystery call to Yankees' top pick

June 5th, 2019

TORONTO -- The celebration was already underway at Anthony Volpe's home in northern New Jersey on Monday evening, when the telephone rang with an unknown number. The caller identified himself, then offered his congratulations to the Yankees' first-round selection.

"It was neat," said manager Aaron Boone, the mystery caller. "You could tell he was really excited, obviously. You could hear the people in the background and stuff. It was cool for me to get the opportunity to call and just talk to him for a couple of minutes. Hopefully it's a call that's the start of welcoming him into our organization."

Volpe was tabbed by the Yankees from Delbarton School in Morristown, N.J., with the 30th overall selection. A native of Watchung, N.J., the 5-foot-11, 180-pound shortstop was ranked as the No. 63 prospect in the Draft by MLB Pipeline.

He led the USA Baseball 18-and-under national team to a gold medal at the Pan American Championships this past December, earning all-tournament honors by hitting .459 (17-for-37) with 17 runs, 14 RBIs and six stolen bases in nine games. The 18-year-old also played in the 2018 Perfect Game All-American Classic last summer at Petco Park in San Diego.

"He thought it was pretty neat," Boone said of the call. "It was a neat reaction and he was obviously very excited being taken by the Yankees. It was cool for me to get to have a couple of minutes with him."

The Draft concludes on Wednesday, with exclusive coverage of Rounds 11-40 on MLB.com beginning at noon ET.

Severino sighting
Luis Severino is accompanying the Yankees on this road trip, a positive sign as the right-hander aims to rejoin the rotation. Severino said he made 50 tosses at a distance of 60 feet on Monday, and has felt no pain in his right side for almost three weeks. He is scheduled to toss again on Wednesday.

"It's not an easy situation," Severino said. "It takes a lot of time. I just need to be worried about a setback. I think the guys are doing a good job. In the beginning in Tampa, it was difficult. This time, I'm taking it easier. But I feel great."

Severino said that he believes pitching in big league games shortly after the All-Star break is a realistic goal.

"The good thing is, I feel good," Severino said. "I'm getting my health back. If I can be ready for that time, it would be great. ... I'm ready to be on the mound and throw a couple of bullpens, but I understand our situation and how it works. I have to build my arm back."

Bombers bits
• Dellin Betances is scheduled to face hitters for the first time since Spring Training on Wednesday at the Yankees' complex in Tampa, Fla. Boone said that he is "really encouraged about where he is," and Betances has said he expects to be added to the big league bullpen sometime in June.

• Shortstop Didi Gregorius remains on track to rejoin the Yankees for Friday's series opener against the Indians in Cleveland, Boone said. Gregorius is continuing his Minor League rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

This date in Yankees history
June 4, 1933: Yankees starter Johnny Allen allowed a leadoff single to the A's Ed Coleman, then held Philadelphia hitless the rest of the way in a 6-0 Yankees victory.