Prospect Report: Aiming For Opening Day Roster, Volpe Stays Hot

Image credit: Anthony Volpe (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

Anthony Volpe, SS, Yankees — On Tuesday, Volpe, the Yankees’ top prospect, made his latest argument for inclusion on the Yankees’ Opening Day roster. The 21-year-old went 1-for-2 with a double (105.6 exit velocity), a walk and a stolen base. He’s now 12-for-39 this spring (.308) with five doubles, two home runs and eight walks. 

Logan O’Hoppe, C, Angels — After moving from Philly to Los Angeles in a deadline deal that sent Brandon Marsh to the Phillies, O’Hoppe has emerged as his new club’s top prospect. The big-armed backstop made his big league debut in 2022 and should see plenty of major league time in 2023. On Tuesday, O’Hoppe went 2-for-4 with a double and also posted an exit velocity of 113 mph on a foul ball. He’s 8-for-29 this spring with two doubles and a home run. 

Sean Hjelle, RHP, Giants — San Francisco’s mammoth righthander has quietly been excellent this spring. The Kentucky alum has pitched in five games but made just one start while amassing 15 innings. He’s given up 14 hits but allowed just two walks while striking out 18. He went three innings on Tuesday and allowed one run while striking out four. 

Connor Norby, 2B, Orioles — The refrain is the same as it’s been all spring: Baltimore not only has the best system in the game, but has some of its best prospects ready to make a contribution at some point in 2023. That’s true of Norby, the East Carolina product who has hit his way up the organizational ladder and onto the Top 100. He was 1-for-1 on Tuesday and is 8-for-27 with three doubles this spring. 

Andrew Nardi, LHP, Marlins — Nardi is a relief-only prospect, but he’s made an impact in his big league time this spring. The Arizona alum has pitched 6.1 innings over six outings and allowed one run on five hits. He pitched a perfect final two innings of the Marlins’ lefty parade (following Jesus Luzardo and A.J. Puk) and stymied the Astros with four strikeouts along the way.