New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe drew criticism in July for his struggles at the plate, prompting talk that he might lose his spot to newcomer Jose Caballero. However, a recent turnaround in Volpe’s performance has put those rumors to rest.
Before the All-Star break, Volpe had a lackluster slash line of .214/.287/.384 with 10 home runs over 341 at-bats. Since then, in 61 at-bats heading into Tuesday, he’s hit .248/.288/.639 and launched seven homers.
Despite the improved power numbers, there are still concerns about Volpe’s overall game. His walk rate remains low, contributing to a subpar .288 on-base percentage over his last 17 games, well below the MLB average of .316. Defensively, he’s struggled as well, ranking below average with -6 Outs Above Average and an MLB-high 16 errors at shortstop. Still, his recent offensive burst—highlighted by a .639 slugging percentage and those seven homers—makes a strong case for keeping him in the lineup.
“He’s starting to get results now,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said after Friday’s loss, per Mike Lupica of MLB.com. “I believe his best days are ahead—this year and beyond.”
Caballero, who was seen as a possible replacement, is slashing .223/.324/.307 with just two home runs. While his average and OBP are slightly better than Volpe’s, his lack of power limits his offensive impact. He does provide better defense and leads the league with 35 stolen bases, but doesn’t offer a clear upgrade overall.
Volpe’s defense hasn’t caught up to his offensive improvement—still a concern—but after winning a Gold Glove in his rookie year (2023), there’s optimism he can rebound. With the Yankees currently tied with the Mariners for the final wild-card spot, Volpe’s bat has become a crucial factor in their postseason hopes.
In the midst of the team’s struggles, Volpe’s recent power display might be the spark New York needs to stay in the playoff race.
