Yankees’ hungry Baby Bombers ready to leap into October limelight

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The New York Yankees are in the quest for their 28th championship after winning the division crown for a record 21st time and heading into playoffs. The excitement is palpable among Baby Bombers, who are making their postseason debuts and eager for the eternal Yankees fame.

sophomore shortstop Anthony Volpe summed up his anticipation for the upcoming American League Division Series opener with one word: “electric.” The 23-year-old shared his excitement during a practice session at Yankee Stadium.

Volpe’s enthusiasm comes from a deep-rooted connection to the team. Growing up in Watchung, New Jersey, he attended several Yankees playoff games as a fan. The shortstop fondly recalled sitting in the uppermost seats of the stadium, watching wild-card games against the Athletics and Twins.

“We would be sitting with our backs touching the top of the upper deck,” the Baby Bober told The Post. “We went to the A’s wild-card game, the Twins wild-card game.”

Now, Volpe is no longer watching from the stands. Instead, he’ll be in the thick of the action as the Yankees aim for postseason success. To prepare for this moment, he’s leaned on advice from veteran teammates about what makes playoff baseball so different.

The key lessons shared with him focused on two themes: the intensity of adrenaline and the certainty of challenges. Volpe expressed his readiness for the elevated pressure, knowing this is the stage every player works toward throughout the season.

Reflecting on his journey from fan to player, Volpe acknowledged the different perspectives. While Yankees fans may see the playoffs as the “real season,” players appreciate the hard work and perseverance required to reach this point, something that can often be overlooked from the outside. Now, he’s ready to embrace the playoff atmosphere from a whole new vantage point.

“There’s a lot of excitement and I’m ready to go. This is what you play for,” the Yankees shortstop told. “As a fan, it’s what you always look forward to, when the real season starts. From the flip perspective [as a player], I think it’s even cooler, because sometimes as a fan maybe you take it for granted. As a player, you know everything it takes to get to this point.”

Anthony Volpe’s second season with the Yankees was a rollercoaster of highs and lows. While he began the year with flashes of offensive potential and consistently strong defense, his overall batting numbers by season’s end didn’t quite meet the lofty expectations set for him.

Volpe wrapped up the regular season with a modest .243 batting average, a .293 on-base percentage, and a .364 slugging percentage. He tallied 12 home runs and drove in 60 runs, ending with an OPS of .657. Despite his offensive struggles, he was a reliable presence on the field, playing in 160 games and excelling defensively, recording 15 outs above average according to Baseball Savant.

When asked to reflect on his performance, Volpe was quick to prioritize the team’s success over his individual stats. While he admitted there were stretches where he could’ve done more, he was proud of the Yankees’ achievement in finishing the season as the top team in the American League. Rather than dwell on personal numbers, Volpe emphasized his role in the team’s overall dynamic and success.

“Personally I view it through how the team did. There’s a lot of times I could contribute more, but at the end of the day, we were the best team in the American League,” he said. “Regardless of little spots throughout the season or how I was viewed, I’m definitely happy to be a part of this team.”

With the postseason looming, Volpe is presented with a golden opportunity to enhance his standing among Yankees fans. Much like Derek Jeter, whose legacy was solidified by clutch October performances, Volpe knows the importance of delivering in the postseason, especially in a city where playoff success is paramount. The Yankees’ World Series drought, which dates back to 2009, adds further pressure.

Volpe is aware that a standout performance in the playoffs could erase any lingering doubts from his regular season struggles. He expressed excitement for the challenge ahead, fully understanding that in the Bronx, a player’s legacy is often defined by what they do in October. His focus now shifts to making a significant impact when it matters most.

Ben Rice ready to feed Yankees with homers

Yankees prospect Ben Rice has emerged as the frontrunner to fill in at first base for the American League Division Series, should Anthony Rizzo’s fractured fingers keep him sidelined for Saturday’s opener. Rice strengthened his case with an impressive display during Tuesday’s workout at Yankee Stadium, reminding the team of his offensive upside.

During Gerrit Cole‘s live batting practice session, the Yankees rookie made a statement by launching a fastball into the right-center field bleachers, the sharp crack of the bat reverberating through the empty stadium. The powerful swing caught the attention of players, coaches, and reporters on hand, underscoring his readiness to step up if needed.

While a practice home run off a teammate isn’t typically the deciding factor in playing time decisions, it did highlight Rice’s potential at the plate. Cole, preparing for his postseason start, may have been focused more on refining his pitch mix than on challenging Rice. Still, Yankees manager Aaron Boone noted that Rice’s swing could boost the left-handed hitter’s confidence heading into what could be his playoff debut.

Boone stressed that the team’s practice days during the first-round bye are crucial for keeping players sharp, and Rice’s performance stood out as a positive sign. He added that the team will continue to run simulated game situations in the coming days, with the Yankees rookie expected to play a key role in those exercises.

As the Yankees weigh their options at first base, Rice’s strong showing suggests he’s a serious contender for a prominent role, depending on Rizzo’s status.

Anthony Rizzo’s status for the American League Division Series remains in doubt after fracturing his pinky and ring fingers in the second-to-last game of the regular season. Though the Yankees have kept him on the active roster, it appears unlikely he will be available for the upcoming series.

In Rizzo’s absence, the Yankees have recalled Ben Rice from Triple-A. Rice, who started at first base in the season finale, had stepped up before when Rizzo was sidelined earlier in the year with a fractured right forearm. During his first stint in the majors, Rice flashed potential at the plate but struggled to maintain his early momentum. He finished the regular season with a .171 batting average, a .613 OPS, and seven home runs in 50 games, including a standout three-homer performance against the Red Sox on July 6.

Another option for the Yankees at first base is DJ LeMahieu, who has prior experience in the position. However, LeMahieu is also recovering from an injury—a right hip impingement that cut his regular season short in early September. Although he participated in infield drills on Tuesday, his availability for the ALDS is also uncertain.

As a result, the Yankees may turn to a mix of Rice and utility players Oswaldo Cabrera and Jon Berti to cover first base duties. All three participated in fielding practice at first base during Tuesday’s workout, with Rizzo watching from the sidelines.

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