Yankees top prospect Volpe makes Opening Day roster

New York Yankees top shortstop prospect Anthony Volpe has made the team's Opening Day roster, the team announced.

"The obvious exclamation point here is Anthony Volpe came into camp and took this position," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said, according to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch.

"He should be congratulated. It was well played. He's earned the right to take that spot for the New York Yankees as we open the 2023 season and we're excited for him."

The New Jersey native and lifelong Yankees fan was all smiles after learning of the good news.

Volpe entered spring training as a long shot to make the big-league club but did so thanks to a .314/.417/.647 slash line with three home runs, six doubles, and 13 runs scored in 17 games.

MLB's No. 5-ranked prospect is expected to be the Yankees' starting shortstop, according to the New York Post's Joel Sherman.

Oswald Peraza, who entered camp as the favorite to win the job, was optioned to Triple-A. The Yankees also employ utility infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who's capable of playing shortstop.

The 21-year-old Volpe is the youngest player to make the team's Opening Day lineup since Derek Jeter in 1996.

Volpe's promotion comes one day after the St. Louis Cardinals announced 20-year-old prospect Jordan Walker would be joining their big-league roster to begin the season.