Anthony Volpe, the once-anointed future of the New York Yankees’ infield, suddenly finds himself in unfamiliar territory: on the bench, out of the lineup, and maybe on the outside looking in.
And look, we’re not talking about some grizzled vet winding down. We’re talking about a 24-year-old, former top prospect, Gold Glove-winning shortstop who’s supposed to be the centerpiece of this generation’s Yankee core.
But when your manager — Aaron Boone, the guy who has defended you through slumps, swings, and statistical sadness — hits you with a vague “We’ll see” when asked if you’re playing the next day? Yeah, that’s not a good sign.
Bad Slump For Volpe in New York
Volpe’s bat has gone completely cold. He has one hit in his last 29 plate appearances. A slash line of .208/.274/.400. That’s not the kind of offensive production you expect from your shortstop, especially not in New York, where patience wears thin and pressure never takes a day off.
And it’s not just the hitting. His defense — which was supposed to be his calling card — has been erratic. Seventeen errors on the season, second-most in baseball, and some truly head-scratching decisions in crucial moments. That -7 outs above average number is rough. That’s the kind of stat that makes pitching coaches nervous.
And just as Volpe’s star is flickering, José Caballero is out here kicking down the door like a man on a mission. In just 25 at-bats, the guy is slashing .320/.433/.600, swiping bags, making plays, and looking every bit the spark this sluggish Yankees team desperately needs. Is it a small sample size? Sure. But when someone’s hot and you’re not — especially in August — that’s how jobs get taken.
Now, let’s not completely bash Volpe. The talent is still there. This kid hit a World Series grand slam. He’s got power, speed, and a glove that can be elite. But Major League Baseball doesn’t care about your resume, it cares about results today.
