Yankees already setting high bar and expectations for prized rookie

Nobody in baseball can hype a prospect quite like the New York Yankees can, and shortstop Anthony Volpe is already getting the red carpet rolled out in front of him ahead of his debut this week.

Volpe, one of top prospects in baseball, won the team's starting shortstop job thanks to an impressive spring training performance that has all of the team's superstars already singing his praises. 

Star pitcher Gerrit Cole called Volpe's preparation and talent "elite," while reigning American League MVP winner Aaron Judge said that he carries himself like a veteran the team just traded for. 

"Like, if I saw that kid playing, and he told me he was a 27-year-old guy we just traded for, I'd be like, 'Oh yeah, looks like he's got some experience,'" said Judge, via ESPN. "Just his demeanor, his calmness, it's fun to see and fun to have that in the lineup."

Manager Aaron Boone also heaped on the praise.  

"In a way, he's been bred for this," said manager Aaron Boone after the team's last spring game against the Nationals in Washington D.C. on Tuesday. "You look at [Volpe's] childhood, growing up, being a giant Yankee fan, going to Yankee Stadium, being a smart kid, on his way to Vanderbilt, but getting drafted by his team. And who he's been in the organization since he was drafted and how he's developed and the reputation that he's earned. For being a young man and being 21, I think he's as equipped as anyone to handle it."

This is all setting an extremely bar for a rookie that has only played a handful of games above Double-A in the minor leagues. 

Especially when he is set to be the starting shortstop for one of the league's biggest brands in its largest and most powerful market. The Yankees are not exactly putting him in a position to be eased into the lineup with comments like these. The expectation is going to be that he not only be able to handle big league pitching, but that he excel. 

The Yankees have developed some elite players in recent years and it has helped them build one of baseball's best rosters. If Volpe becomes the player they think he can be it not only dramatically improves one of their weakest positions, but also further strengthens them as American League contenders.