It’s easy to overlook guys in a lineup that’s as loaded as the New York Yankees’. This is exactly the case for shortstop Anthony Volpe.
Anthony Volpe’s Subtly Amazing Season
The 23-year-old phenom has become a significantly better hitter in his sophomore season after putting up iffy offensive numbers in his rookie year. But behind guys like Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, he’s not getting as much attention as he deserves. Here’s a breakdown of his success so far in 2024.
No Regressions
Though Volpe has been a force at the plate, it’s worth mentioning that his Gold-Glove caliber defense has not faltered. His defensive numbers are very similar to those he put up last year, even lowering his error rate (5 in 56 games thus far). The Yankees’ infield hasn’t been amazing defensively, so having a shortstop that consistently makes plays can go a long way.
Our Gold Glover. @Volpe_Anthony 👏 pic.twitter.com/YGj4EXdq6G
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) May 30, 2024
His speed is also a key element to his game. He has stolen 11 bases this season (24 in 2023), tied for 16th in the Major Leagues. The Yankees also lack high-speed players (see Giancarlo Stanton and Anthony Rizzo), meaning that Volpe’s prowess on the base paths is even more vital to the lineup.
Major Adjustments At The Plate
Volpe was by no means terrible at the plate as a rookie, but he was certainly lackluster. In 159 games, he batted .209 with a .666 OPS, though he did smack 21 home runs. However, he did strike out 167 times, along with a .283 OBP. In the minor leagues, Volpe was touted as an on-base machine with very few strikeouts, so his first-year K-rate and low OBP were alarming.
So, in the offseason, Volpe created a more level swing with a flatter path through the strike zone. His goal was to make more contact against certain pitches and tough locations. During Spring Training, the shortstop said the following about trying to create a more even swing:
“That was the biggest emphasis for me this offseason. Everyone does things a little differently. When I watch (Aaron) Judge, (Juan) Soto, and DJ (LeMahieu), I think what makes the best hitters the best is they give themselves the most room for error and the most flexibility. That’s my goal. I’m not always going to be perfect with my timing and perfect on the pitch. But if I can still be late and shoot the ball to right field or when I’m early and out in front, still have enough space to do something with the pitch, that’s the goal.”
The result? A .288/.357/.442 slash line, with 23 RBIs and 37 runs scored (tied for 1st on the Yankees with Aaron Judge). His OPS+ has also shot up by 46 points (80 to 126), meaning he has been 46% better than last year. That’s pretty significant, but when you’re playing with titans of the game in one of the biggest cities in the world, it’s not surprising that he’s been overlooked.
History In The Making
Volpe has already cemented himself in Yankees history with his 21-game hitting streak. When he extended it to 21 on Wednesday against the Angels, he tied Joe DiMaggio for the 2nd-longest hitting streak at age 23 or younger in Yankees history. The number one spot? Joe DiMaggio again, at 22 games. So if Volpe can extend it one more time, he’ll tie the record of one of the most legendary baseball players in history. Pretty impressive.
Little League home run for Anthony Volpe! pic.twitter.com/CyJEW6EFrx
— Talkin’ Yanks (@TalkinYanks) May 30, 2024
The Last Word
The hit streak has brought more attention to Volpe, and deservedly so. But even beyond that, he is cementing himself as a skilled and versatile shortstop who can be a core piece of the Yankees infield for years.
Main Photo Credits: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
