The New York Yankees' Next Superstar Has Arrived

This former top prospect is living up to the hype for the New York Yankees.

Apr 5, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (11) follows through on a single against the Toronto Blue Jays during the second inning at Yankee Stadium. / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Forget Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, Gerrit Cole and all the rest. The New York Yankees' next superstar has arrived, and his name is Anthony Volpe.

Volpe continued his torrid start to the season on Friday, collecting two more hits in the Yankees' 3-0 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. That makes 11 hits in seven games for the 22-year-old shortstop, who's now batting a scalding .423 with a 1.154 OPS.

After a solid but mildly disappointing rookie campaign in 2023, Volpe is starting to live up to the hype. A former first-round pick, he debuted with the impossible expectations of becoming the next Derek Jeter.

Volpe's talent was evident, producing 21 home runs, 24 stolen bases and a Gold Glove. His game still had holes, however, such as his 27.8% strikeout rate and .209/.283/.383 batting line.

Jeter he was not.

Baseball is all about adjustments, and Volpe clearly made some this offseason, as MLB analyst Harold Reynolds pointed out on Friday's MLB Tonight.

"We're looking at a star, folks."

Harold loves some of the adjustments he's seen from @Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe this season. #MLBTonight pic.twitter.com/vEqLdGeClJ

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) April 6, 2024

Reynolds pointed out a small but significant change in Volpe's swing.

Whereas Volpe was standing too upright and dipping down during the pitcher's release in 2023, he's eliminated that bad habit and has replaced it with more of a load action. Not only does this give him more power, but it also keeps his head still, helping him see the ball better and make more consistent contact.

Not surprisingly, Volpe's numbers have improved across the board in 2024.

He's walking more, striking out less and hitting the ball harder. While it's still early in the season, his hot start doesn't appear to be a fluke when there's a clear underlying change in his mechanics.

With a more streamlined swing, a more mature approach at the plate and a full season of MLB experience under his belt, Volpe is quickly becoming the MVP-caliber player New York was hoping for.