Opening Day Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Anthony Volpe receives high praise from Aaron Judge following MLB debut

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 3/30/23

New York Yankees top prospect Anthony Volpe made his long-awaited Major League debut on Thursday, drawing rave reviews from team captain Aaron Judge.

Following the Yankees' 5-0 Opening Day victory over the San Francisco Giants, Judge praised Volpe for his work at the plate and in the field.

"The first at-bat, he walks. Some great plays on defense," Judge told Max Goodman of nj.com. "He's ready to go. I'm excited to see what the future holds for him."

If Volpe was nervous about his first Major League at-bat, he didn't show it. Instead, the young shortstop showed patience, drawing a walk off six pitches before swiping second base four pitches later -- his first career steal.

Anthony Volpe with a walk and a steal to start his MLB career

(via @Yankees) pic.twitter.com/mNHkLIUEDS
— SI MLB (@si_mlb) March 30, 2023

After recording a free pass and a stolen base, Volpe is still looking for his first career base hit, finishing 0-for-2 on the day. But you wouldn't know it by how he was received on Thursday by the Yankee faithful.

Following the Yankees' victory, Judge even joked about the hype behind the rookie.

"It was pretty cool getting to see Anthony Volpe's reception batting ninth," Judge told reporters via SNY. "I almost felt like he was chasing 62 there for his first at-bat the way the crowd was. It was pretty special."

For Volpe, Thursday was a dream realized. The young shortstop revealed to reporters that the support he received from Yankees fans far exceeded his expectations.

"It was amazing," Volpe said. "Like I said, I couldn't have even ever dreamed that that's what it was going to be like. But it was a special moment to feel and experience and just feel welcome."

Hometown kid Volpe seems to have the makeup to thrive in New York, which isn't a small ask considering he is playing shortstop, the same position his idol and Yankee legend Derek Jeter played. So far, the 21-year-old is off to a good start, with still the rest of his MLB career ahead of him.

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