The New York Yankees might have just found their gem. The next Derek Jeter perhaps. Well, the Yankees haven’t had a homegrown shortstop since the electrifying and legendary Jeter. Now, a new chapter seems to be unfolding with Anthony Volpe sending shivers down the spines of baseball folks. Now the question comes – could Volpe become an All-Star faster than Jeter himself?

There is no doubt that Jeter will forever be etched in Yankee lore. Nevertheless, he did not grace the All-Star stage until his third full season. But the 22-year-old Volpe, who is barely in this 2nd season has already secured the coveted starting shortstop position. One could say that he is even outperforming seasoned veterans and prospects in the brutally competitive spring training. Does this seem familiar? Does this remind you of someone?

Well, there’s a vote of confidence. This, coupled with his scorching bat that has recorded a .314 average, and 3 home runs, have the Yankees faithful buzzing with a solid mix of excitement and nostalgia. The Yanks have never been shy about their wish to cultivate a long-term solution at shortstop. That said, Volpe is the likely fit for this search.

They did make a bold move by bypassing several big-name free agents. Namely, Carlos Correa and Corey Seager. Now this was a decision that hinged on the success of their young prospects. But now, as Volpe snatches the starting job, it might be that their gamble just pays off in spades.

Now that we have discussed Volpe’s early success, it’s time to look at the cons. His dominance does not guarantee an All-Star nod in his second season, though it might appear plausible. Let’s not forget, that the path to baseball’s biggest showcase is paved with regular performance. Even legends like Jeter could not skip that step. Which way the needle will incline, one doesn’t know. But this is food for thought.

Anthony Volpe Hears From the Legendary Derek Jeter Himself

This brings us to another perspective. Undeniably the ingredients for greatness are there. Derek Jeter himself acknowledged the weight of the Yankee shortstop legacy. He, in fact,  sent a congratulatory message to Volpe. His words were, “Congratulations @Volpe_Anthony. There’s nothing like playing shortstop for the New York Yankees.” Talk about pressure!

Comparisons to Jeter might be a bit premature. However, Volpe’s talent and dedication are irreplaceable. His growth this season will be an interesting story to follow. On one hand, surpassing Jeter’s All-Star timeline might be a tall order. On the other, one cannot deny the potential for Volpe to scoop out his own greatness.