After a crushing World Series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the New York Yankees, and certain players especially, face a crucial season. Among those under some scrutiny ahead of this upcoming season is starting shortstop Anthony Volpe.
Volpe, 23, is coming off his second major league season that saw improvement in multiple areas. Despite not winning a Gold Glove like he did in his rookie year, his defensive stats were even better in 2024. But defense isn’t the area of concern for the New Jersey native; it’s the offensive production.
Yankees Need More Offense from Anthony Volpe This Season
Fast, But No Bat
Volpe’s speed is undoubtedly his best asset on the offensive side of the ball. Notably, his 28 stolen bases ranked 13th in the American League last season. But unfortunately, that’s about where the positives end. Last season, the Yankee shortstop slashed .243/.293/.364, hitting 12 home runs and scoring 90 runs. While virtually every stat was better last year than in his rookie season besides home runs (21), that .657 OPS is not helping the Yankees’ lineup regardless of how good his defense is.
Room for Improvement
Volpe has shown flashes of great hitting, most notably with his 21-game hitting streak in May of last year. He is also able to hit for power if needed, as demonstrated by his 21 home runs as a 22-year-old rookie (and notably his go-ahead grand slam in the World Series last October). His career OBP of .288 could be vastly improved with more walks, having accumulated just 94 over 1,290 plate appearances. Usually, young players acquire a more keen eye with age and experience, so it’s more than likely his plate discipline will progress this season, especially when he’s hitting in a more well-rounded lineup.
Grand Slam courtesy of Anthony Volpe. pic.twitter.com/tHOmVu9DLJ
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) October 30, 2024
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The key for Volpe is to find consistency in his approach; his mechanics vary wildly when he’s hot at the plate and when he’s cold. If there’s one thing Volpe should be looking to work on in spring training, it’s refining his outlook in the batter’s box in order to get on base more often so that he can better utilize his lethal speed.
Anthony Volpe’s Impact on the Lineup
One of the most flawed aspects of last year’s squad was the black hole that took up the second half of the lineup; almost all of the team’s offensive production came from the top half. This year, the lineup is looking much less top-heavy, with Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt coming in to help with the departure of Juan Soto.
With a more developed Volpe who can be a legitimate threat at the plate, this lineup turns from a good one into a great one. Not only would he have more opportunities for stealing bases, a skill the Yankees desperately lack outside of him, but he’ll provide much-needed insurance in the bottom half of the lineup.
If Volpe can become an offensive force this season, or at least an average hitter, he’ll cement himself as the Yankees’ starting shortstop for years to come. More importantly, he’ll give the Yankees a much better chance at making another run at the World Series next October.
Photo Credit: © Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
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