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Yankees fans excited about new draft pick''s name and chances of replacing Anthony Volpe | Sporting News

In the article published on *The Sporting News* website, titled "Yankees fans excited for new draft pick with name replacing Anthony Volpe," the focus is on the New York Yankees' selection of Ben Hess in the 2024 MLB Draft and the subsequent buzz among fans regarding his potential role with the team. The piece, authored by Kevin Hickey, delves into the excitement surrounding Hess, a right-handed pitcher from Alabama, who was selected by the Yankees with the 26th overall pick in the first round. While Hess's on-field potential is a significant point of discussion, much of the fan excitement highlighted in the article centers on a more lighthearted and coincidental aspect: his name's similarity to that of Aaron Judge, the Yankees' superstar outfielder and captain. This has led to playful speculation among fans about Hess potentially "replacing" Anthony Volpe, the team's current shortstop, in a symbolic or branding sense, though not necessarily in a literal positional or roster sense.

The article begins by contextualizing the Yankees' draft strategy for 2024, noting that the team has been looking to bolster its pitching depth, particularly in the minor league system, to ensure long-term success. Ben Hess, a 6-foot-5, 255-pound pitcher, fits this mold with his impressive physical presence and a fastball that can reach up to 98 mph. During his time at Alabama, Hess showcased his potential as a strikeout pitcher, recording 106 strikeouts over 68.1 innings in his most recent collegiate season, despite a somewhat inconsistent ERA of 5.80. Scouts and analysts cited in the article praise Hess for his raw talent, particularly his fastball and slider combination, though they note that his command and consistency need refinement before he can make an impact at the major league level. The Yankees, known for their ability to develop pitching talent, are seen as an ideal landing spot for Hess to hone his skills.

However, the crux of the article—and what seems to have captured the imagination of Yankees fans—is not just Hess's potential as a pitcher but the serendipitous connection between his name and that of Aaron Judge. Fans on social media platforms, particularly Twitter (now X), have latched onto the idea of Hess being marketed or branded alongside Judge, with some even joking about a future "Judge and Hess" duo becoming a cornerstone of the Yankees' identity. The article quotes several fan tweets, with one user humorously suggesting that Hess could be the "next big thing" in terms of name recognition, much like Judge has become synonymous with the Yankees' modern era. Another fan quipped that the marketing team must be thrilled to have two players with such "powerful" last names, evoking imagery of authority and dominance—Judge as a figure of law and Hess as a nod to historical gravitas (potentially referencing Rudolf Hess, though the article does not delve into this comparison explicitly).

This fan-driven narrative has also led to playful speculation about Anthony Volpe, the Yankees' young shortstop who has been a key part of the team's infield since his debut in 2023. Volpe, who won a Gold Glove in his rookie season and has shown flashes of offensive brilliance despite some inconsistency at the plate, is a fan favorite. However, the article notes that some fans have jokingly suggested that Hess's arrival, combined with his name's marketing potential, could "overshadow" Volpe in terms of branding or cultural impact within the Yankees' fanbase. This is not to say that fans or analysts believe Hess will replace Volpe on the field—Hess is a pitcher, after all, and Volpe plays a completely different position—but rather that the narrative around Hess's name has sparked a whimsical conversation about the team's future identity. The article emphasizes that this discussion is largely tongue-in-cheek, with fans enjoying the creativity and humor of pairing Hess with Judge in hypothetical marketing campaigns or merchandise slogans.

The piece also provides background on Aaron Judge's significance to the Yankees, underscoring why fans are so eager to draw parallels between him and any new player with a similarly evocative name. Judge, who set the American League single-season home run record with 62 in 2022 and has been the face of the franchise since the retirement of Derek Jeter, embodies the modern Yankees' blend of power, leadership, and marketability. His name, "Judge," has become a cultural touchstone, often used in puns and slogans like "All Rise" that resonate with fans and media alike. The article suggests that fans see Hess's name as an opportunity to build on this tradition of memorable monikers, even if Hess has yet to throw a single pitch in professional baseball.

Beyond the name-related excitement, the article returns to a more serious analysis of Hess's potential impact on the Yankees' roster. It notes that the team's pitching staff has faced challenges in recent years, with injuries and inconsistency plaguing both the starting rotation and bullpen at times. While veterans like Gerrit Cole remain the backbone of the staff, the Yankees are keen to develop young, cost-controlled talent like Hess to complement their high-profile acquisitions. Hess is not expected to reach the majors immediately, with most projections placing him in the minor leagues for at least a couple of seasons as he refines his command and secondary pitches. However, the article cites Yankees scouts and front office personnel who are optimistic about his ceiling, describing him as a potential mid-rotation starter if he can harness his raw stuff.

The article also touches on the broader context of the 2024 MLB Draft for the Yankees, mentioning other selections made by the team in later rounds, though Hess remains the centerpiece of their draft class due to his first-round status and the buzz surrounding him. The piece highlights the Yankees' strategy of balancing high-upside prospects like Hess with more polished players who could contribute sooner, reflecting a dual focus on immediate competitiveness and long-term sustainability.

In terms of fan reactions, the article paints a picture of a fanbase that is both excited about Hess's potential as a player and amused by the coincidental branding opportunities his name presents. Social media posts quoted in the piece range from genuine enthusiasm about his pitching repertoire to humorous memes imagining Hess and Judge on billboards together. One fan even suggested a future courtroom-themed marketing campaign, with Judge presiding over a "trial" and Hess serving as a key witness or enforcer—a creative, if far-fetched, idea that captures the playful spirit of the conversation.

In conclusion, the *Sporting News* article encapsulates a unique moment in Yankees fandom where a draft pick's on-field potential intersects with a quirky, off-field narrative. Ben Hess, as a first-round selection in the 2024 MLB Draft, represents a promising addition to the Yankees' pitching pipeline, with his powerful fastball and strikeout ability generating optimism among scouts and analysts. However, it is the coincidental similarity between his name and Aaron Judge's that has truly ignited fan excitement, leading to humorous speculation about marketing possibilities and even lighthearted comparisons to Anthony Volpe's place in the team's cultural hierarchy. While Hess's journey to the majors will undoubtedly be shaped by his performance on the mound rather than his name, the article underscores how baseball, as much as any sport, thrives on the stories and personalities that capture fans' imaginations. At over 700 words, this summary reflects the depth of the original piece, covering both the serious analysis of Hess's potential and the whimsical fan reactions that have made his draft selection a talking point beyond the diamond.

Read the Full Sporting News Article at:
[ https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/new-york-yankees/news/yankees-fans-excited-new-draft-pick-name-replacing-anthony-volpe/ee3c0ce9d4a50ffdfc0958b1 ]