SAN DIEGO — DJ LeMahieu, who manager Aaron Boone initially expected to be his leadoff hitter this year, is finally set to make his season debut.
But Anthony Volpe and his 19-game hitting streak aren’t moving anywhere.
The Yankees have been entrenched at the top of the lineup with their batting ability working well, and Volpe is expected to continue to be the leadoff hitter if LeMahieu returns when the Yankees open their series against the Angels on Tuesday.
In a 5-2 loss to the Padres on Sunday, Volpe went 1-for-3 with 1 walk and extended his hitting streak to 19 games, tying the Yankees’ longest hitting streak since Derek Jeter’s 19-game hitting streak in 2012.
“But it’s about being persistent, evolving, hungry, and adaptable. [base] “We’ve done a lot of things in front of some great hitters,” manager Aaron Boone said, “and that’s been really important and really fuels our offense.”
Volpe replaced struggling Gleyber Torres as the Yankees’ leadoff hitter in their 13th game of the season and has remained there ever since.
The second-year shortstop started the season well, batting .382 with a 1.041 OPS through his first 15 games.
Over the next 21 games, Volpe batted just .165 with a .515 OPS as opposing pitchers made adjustments to him.
But Volpe has fought back, batting .343 with a .914 OPS over his past 17 games through Sunday and also setting a new hitting streak.
Yankees on Tuesday. Getty Images
“Great talent,” Boone said. “I think that’s what really impresses me about him. Obviously a very talented player, a young player. But the talent to be able to take what you learn — the good, the bad, the struggles, the successes — and continue to make adjustments is what separates an average player from a good player, a good player from a great player. He has all of those intangible qualities.”
Volpe became the second Yankee to record a 19-game or longer hitting streak while under the age of 23, joining Joe DiMaggio, who had 22- and 20-game hitting streaks during the 1937 season.
More importantly, Volpe did a great job setting the table for Juan Soto and Aaron Judge.
“With the type of guys we play, it’s hard to get one hit in a baseball game,” Judge said, “but he’s the type of guy who puts his head down, goes out there and puts in the effort. I don’t think he’s worried about the hit streak or anything like that. Instead, he’s just focused on getting a touch on first base so he can watch Juan do his thing behind him. It’s been fun to watch.”
