Volpe or Walker in ’23? MLB execs weigh in
The emergence of Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker and Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe had been two of the largest tales to come back out of Spring Training, as MLB Pipeline’s Nos. 4 and 5 prospects secured spots on their groups’ respective Opening Day rosters.
The two children — Walker will flip 21 subsequent month, whereas Volpe will have a good time his twenty second birthday in just a few weeks — every made their large league debut on Opening Day. But who may have a much bigger influence all through 2023?
We posed that query to twenty front-office executives, asking them whether or not they believed Walker or Volpe would have a greater season.
A whopping 75 p.c selected Volpe (15 votes), whereas Walker was the selection for less than 1 / 4 of the respondents (5 votes).
“I would have to go with Volpe, because he’s going to accumulate more on the bases, and with his defense, that should give him a bump,” stated one National League government. “If you play good shortstop in the big leagues, that will help your WAR.”
Several of the execs used projected WAR because the measuring stick for which rookie may have the higher season, which theoretically favors Volpe due to his place.
“My knee-jerk reaction was Volpe by a longshot, just because of the defensive value,” an American League exec stated. “However, with what Walker has produced in the Minors and the fact that he’s more than a full year younger, it makes me think it’s really close. I want to say Walker because the Volpe/Yankees hype is probably too much, but at the end of the day, I’ll bet on the premium defensive position and hit over power in Volpe.”
“The easy tiebreaker is Volpe’s ability on the dirt,” an NL government stated. “Walker can really hit, but he’s rough in the outfield and the Cards do a good job rotating guys around a bit, so it might diminish his overall impact if he’s only playing five days a week. Volpe could impact the game in all three phases every day.”
“Volpe is ahead defensively; combine that with the fact that Walker is a natural infielder playing in the outfield to make the roster, he might experience some learning curves and adjustments in the big leagues,” one other NL exec stated. “Both are obviously impact players but Volpe I think should be more comfortable in his role and have a better season.”
Volpe earned the Yankees’ beginning shortstop job after hitting .309 in Grapefruit League play with three dwelling runs, 5 doubles, 5 RBIs, a 1.033 OPS and 5 stolen bases in 5 makes an attempt, beating out Oswald Peraza and Isiah Kiner-Falefa within the course of.
Walker matched Volpe’s three dwelling runs and 5 doubles however he drove in 9 runs in comparison with 5 for Volpe. Walker’s OPS was .791 in Spring Training, the first distinction coming from their stroll whole — Volpe drew 9 free passes to Walker’s two — whereas every of them struck out 15 instances.
Walker confirmed early within the spring how impactful his bat could be, going 9-for-18 with 5 extra-base hits.
“Interestingly enough, I think Volpe’s game is less dynamic [than Walker’s] and I think dynamic players take a little longer to get going in the Majors,” an AL government stated. “Volpe is steady and has a solid surrounding cast. The biggest issue with Volpe is that he’s in New York.”
“Volpe has a really advanced feel for the game offensively and I believe in his chance to stick at shortstop,” one other AL exec stated. “Though Volpe struggled a bit at Triple-A last year, he looks to have made adjustments in Spring Training and does have time at Triple-A under his belt, where Walker has not had a plate appearance above Double-A. Walker’s raw power is extremely impressive but I have some concerns about potential swing-and-miss and chase in his swing at the Major League level. Both are really exciting players that have a chance to be impact guys.”
In addition to his place — which was the largest differentiator for many voters who selected him — Volpe’s bat-to-ball expertise stood out to quite a lot of executives.
“Good shortstop defense means Volpe has a better chance to stick in big leagues,” an AL government stated. “I also think Walker’s approach — high chase, high whiff, low walk — puts him at risk for performing poorly and being optioned.”
“While Walker can blow you away with his power, the jump from the Minors to the bigs is difficult, and I think Volpe will be able to adjust to big league pitching more quickly,” one other AL exec stated. “Between being a patient hitter and pure contact ability, I think it’ll be easier for him to combat strikeouts at this early stage in his career.”
One AL common supervisor selected Volpe with the concept of “betting on the more well-rounded player who will contribute on both sides of the ball.” The GM added that Volpe’s profile as extra of a contact hitter ought to “make him less prone to the long slump.”
“Volpe’s batted-ball profile is better,” one other AL decision-maker stated. “Much less swing and miss, and he will be asked to do less offensively than Walker.”
MLB Pipeline’s scouting grades checklist Walker with a 50 in fielding and a 70 for his arm, whereas Volpe acquired a 50 for each.
“I see [Walker] on a path to NL Rookie of the Year with offensive impact,” stated an AL government who voted for the St. Louis outfielder. “I trust the Cardinals will deploy him in a way that will help him acclimate.”
Another Walker voter stated his premium energy “more than makes up for the defensive differences” between the 2.
“Walker’s strikeout percentage is a bit concerning,” stated an AL exec who gave Volpe a slight edge. “But he hits the ball so hard.”
One AL government famous {that a} “better season” could be interpreted in numerous methods, saying he believes each gamers have an opportunity to make an influence “right away.”
“Walker’s upside is obviously through the roof, but there could be some growing pains — especially vs. right-handed pitchers — with the jump from Double-A,” the AL exec stated. “That said, I think he’ll slug enough to combat any struggles and will end up with a solid offensive line. He also looks comfortable in right field. Volpe will add significant value at shortstop and I expect he’ll be a steady presence in the lineup all year. Maybe not eye-popping offensive numbers, but he’ll control the zone and give good at-bats. Edge to Walker, but it’s close.”
Although Volpe was the selection for an amazing majority of the executives polled, the consensus perception was that each gamers have the instruments to grow to be All-Star caliber gamers for years to come back.
“I’d be pretty happy adding either of them to our lineup,” an NL government stated. “These guys both look to be the real deal.”
