Anthony Volpe continues to rise, homers in 3-3 tie vs. Boston Red Sox

It’s going to be hard to send him back to the minors.

Anthony Volpe has yet to disappoint the Yankees in spring training and the top prospect continued his upward trend in Sunday’s 3-3 draw against the Boston Red Sox.

Volpe went 2 for 4 at the plate, hitting his second home run of the spring to right-center. The Jersey native also hit a double to the opposite field to pass the runners on the base paths. Volpe’s batting average after Sunday is now .320 and the shortstop has shown his speed by stealing three bases so far.

The fan favorite’s defense at shortstop has been another reason Yankees fans love him and makes the team’s potential decision to allow Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who struggled defensively last season, to start in the position seems unreasonable.

( Yankees Notebook: Harrison Bader out with oblique strain, Isiah Kiner-Falefa homers in win over Tigers )

“I think he has all the tools,” captain Aaron Judge said after Wednesday’s game against the Cardinals at the Yankees’ spring complex. “He checks a lot of boxes defensively, offensively. He has the speed… My thing has always been, if you’re the best player, it shouldn’t matter how old you are. You should be helping the New York Yankees.”

The decision to allow Volpe to start this season in the Bronx seems more likely after each performance.

Jasson Dominguez continues his hot springs, going 1-for-2 after subbing for Aaron Hicks in the outfield. Dominguez singled in the ninth inning, making it the ninth game in 11 total outings in which he’s gotten a hit. However, several of Martian’s plate appearances have been against lesser-known players late in games.

Speaking of lesser-known players, the Yankees have an infield prospect who is putting together a decent spring training in Florida.

Infielder Andrés Chaparro, whom the Yankees signed as an international free agent in 2015, had a hit, a walk and an RBI on Sunday. The 23-year-old plays hot corners, but appeared as a designated hitter against the Red Sox on Sunday.

This spring, the Venezuelan is slashing .333/.429/.708 with three home runs and eight RBIs in 24 at-bats. Chaparro spent the 2022 season with the Yankees’ Single-A and Double-A affiliates.