Anthony Volpe found himself on the bench during the game against the Red Sox on Sunday night, and he learned he wouldn’t play against the Nationals on Monday either.
“I just got the news,” Volpe mentioned after the Yankees’ 7-2 victory over the Red Sox, noting that it seemed odd to sit out again, especially with a right-handed starter on the mound.
“It’s pretty raw,” he added, reflecting on his situation. “This is all on me.”
Before the Sunday game, Aaron Boone, the Yankees’ manager, mentioned that Volpe had been struggling recently and decided to bench him for the series finale.
Boone also highlighted Jose Caballero as a viable option for the lineup, which adds some depth to the team.
When asked if Volpe would start against the Nationals, Boone replied, “We’ll see.”
Still, Volpe did participate in part of Sunday’s game, entering in the eighth inning while Caballero stepped in for Giancarlo Stanton in right field.
Volpe has recently been a target of fan frustration, particularly during a difficult stretch where the Yankees have posted a 28-1 record since their road trip started on August 15.
He made a notable mental mistake as well, attempting to make a risky throw during Saturday’s loss to Boston that ended up costing them a play.
This season has been disappointing for the 24-year-old, who has faced both offensive and defensive challenges in his third year in the majors.
“I just keep pushing through,” Volpe remarked. “It’s frustrating when you feel like you could help the team, yet the results aren’t there. I have to focus on what I can do.”
His performance has produced some of the worst statistics in the league, and now he’s been out of the lineup for two consecutive games despite being healthy.
“As a competitor, you have to take this on the chin,” he admitted. “The outcome isn’t great.”
“The numbers speak for themselves,” Volpe said. “But I don’t think they define who you are. I try to focus on my contribution and how I feel about it, which hasn’t been too often recently.”
Boone expressed that he believes Volpe is handling the pressure of fans and his struggles well.
“He manages that pressure effectively,” Boone stated. “He’s a young player who’s very competitive and is working toward finding consistency in his performance.”
Some scouts, however, are less convinced. While they acknowledge his defensive capabilities, there are concerns about his overall performance.
“Defensively, he’s struggling, and there’s debate on whether it’s good enough,” one scout commented.
Yet, many agree that Volpe’s defensive play this season has not met expectations.
Boone clarified that Volpe remains a daily option, but the addition of Caballero has provided the team with some flexibility.
Although Boone insists Volpe is healthy, the recent downturn in his performance has caught attention. His OPS stands at a low .458 for September, indicating a challenging end to the season.
