Opposites attract up the middle as Chisholm, Volpe gel quickly

TAMPA, Fla. -- There was still dew on the George M. Steinbrenner Field grass, a sleepy Tuesday morning, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. delivered the wake-up call. It was the Yankees’ annual photo day, when pinstriped snapshots were to be captured for baseball cards and scoreboard displays, and the infielder came prepared with swag.

Sporting bright purple sunglasses, Chisholm tugged on a diamond-encrusted chain portraying a character from the anime series “One Piece.” A few lockers down, Anthony Volpe chuckled. Volpe’s official portraits would be Derek Jeter-1990s approved: arms crossed, pinstripes precisely fitted, modest chain tucked inside a long-sleeve undershirt.

The term “opposites attract” dates to the 1950s, and as far as their new double-play combination goes, the Yankees are banking on Chisholm and Volpe to hit it off. So far, they have.

“He has so much joy playing, so much energy, even on the days he’s not playing and we’re just getting work in,” Volpe said. “I feel like he’s just a great teammate. What makes him so good is he brings out the best in the rest of the guys. So it’s just a lot of fun to play with him.”

Yankees manager Aaron Boone observes that Chisholm and Volpe are “joined at the hip” this spring, and not just in games or practice drills. The teammates lunch at the same tables in the team’s impressive new kitchenette area, log reps together in the weight room and even battle head-to-head in video games away from the field.

“Off the field, we’re both goofy and kids at heart -- we just want to have fun and enjoy life,” Chisholm said. “Soccer [video games], he’s really good. In basketball, probably ‘MLB The Show’ too, I’ve got him. We’re basically the same guy.”

The Yankees’ infield was revamped in the months following the World Series loss to the Dodgers, as second baseman Gleyber Torres was not offered a contract in free agency, signing instead with the Tigers. Chisholm had been stationed at third base following his July acquisition from the Marlins, a position he’d never played previously as a pro.

Chisholm impressed the Yanks by how gamely he tackled the challenge; during the winter months, Boone even wrestled with the idea of keeping Chisholm at the hot corner, but ultimately decided Chisholm would fit better in the center of the diamond. Third base is to be decided between Oswaldo Cabrera and Oswald Peraza (at least, for now).

“It was close for me. I actually went back and forth on it a lot this winter,” Boone said. “I feel like his athleticism in the middle of the diamond with Anthony there, it gives us an opportunity to be incredibly strong up the middle. I just feel like he has a chance to be dynamic at a middle position.”

Perhaps no one has higher expectations for the tandem than Chisholm, who said he believes the Yankees will have “the best shortstop-second baseman in the league” defensively.

“And I think we’re probably going to turn the most double plays in the league too,” Chisholm continued. “So that would be my prediction for us.”

As Royals fans learned during last year’s postseason, Chisholm isn’t shy about offering boastful proclamations, adding spicy commentary to what historically has been a buttoned-up clubhouse.

For example, Chisholm said he “definitely” will win a Silver Slugger Award and make the American League All-Star team at second base, saying, “I’m probably a lot above average at the position.”

Apprised of Chisholm’s chest-thumping, Volpe noted with a grin, “Obviously, I take it day by day.”

“But I think a lot of the stuff he says is stuff we can control,” Volpe continued. “I think we should have no excuse to not expect the best of ourselves; not comparing ourselves to anybody else, just to be the best that we possibly can be. I feel like that’s the standard for us, and all those other results will come into place.”

So let’s circle back to this: how good could they be defensively? According to MLB’s David Adler, Chisholm and Volpe project to comprise one of the Majors’ rangiest double-play combinations, based upon their combined Outs Above Average in 2024:

1) Cubs: +29
SS -- Dansby Swanson: +18
2B -- Nico Hoerner: +11

2) Rangers: +25
SS -- Corey Seager: +6
2B -- Marcus Semien: +19

3) Rockies: +24
SS -- Ezequiel Tovar: +15
2B -- Thairo Estrada: +9

4-T) Yankees: +22
SS -- Anthony Volpe: +14
2B -- Jazz Chisholm Jr.: +8

4-T) Blue Jays: +22
SS -- Bo Bichette: +1
2B -- Andrés Giménez: +21

Boone said he loves Chisholm’s confidence, though the manager cautioned: “It’s going to be a superlative anytime Jazz speaks of it.” In stating his case to hit leadoff, Chisholm has also voiced plans to win the AL MVP Award, prompting Boone to respond: “[Then] you can hit wherever you want.”

Yet beyond that bluster, the Yankees believe they have planted the seeds for Chisholm and Volpe to shine.

“I love the relationship that’s happening and building,” Boone said. “I think they have a chance to be really, really special up the middle.”