Anthony Volpe’s recent struggles kept him out of the lineup against the Red Sox on Sunday night, and it’s uncertain if he’ll be back for Monday’s game.
Aaron Boone mentioned that Volpe “had a bit of a rough stretch last week,” prompting him to bench the young shortstop for the finale against Boston.
The manager pointed out that Jose Caballero is available, providing the Yankees with a viable option at shortstop.
When asked if Volpe would start on Monday, Boone simply replied, “We’ll see.”
The Yankees are scheduled to face right-hander Dustin on Sunday, and the Nationals will meet another righty, Brad Road, before a matchup with left-handed Mackenzie Gore on Monday.
Volpe hasn’t been faring well defensively lately, and fan criticism has been mounting, especially during the Yankees’ disappointing 28-1 stretch that began with a road trip in St. Louis on August 15.
He made a notable mental error during Saturday’s game against Boston, opting for a risky throw that cost him the chance for a routine out.
This year has been disappointing for the 24-year-old, as he grapples with both hitting and fielding in his third season in the majors.
“I’ve never really liked his swing,” commented one scout, suggesting that Volpe is possibly focusing too much on power. “I think this is just who he is now.”
Boone, however, believes Volpe isn’t overly affected by the crowd’s reactions or his recent difficulties.
“I think he handles that very well,” Boone stated. “He’s a young player trying to find consistency, which is tough mentally. He’s competitive and is navigating the pressures of being in a big city.”
Opinions differ among scouts.
One noted, “He has definitely regressed on defense, and I’m not sure if that’s why he’s struggling at the plate. He showed promise last year but seems to be making the same mistakes again.”
Some scouts express greater concern about his fielding performance.
“He may find his rhythm at the plate again, but his defense is worrying,” said another scout. “He’s taken a step back since last year.”
Even though defensive metrics can be questionable, most agree that Volpe is having one of his worst seasons defensively.
Boone acknowledges that while the organization values Volpe’s ability, the addition of Caballero from Tampa Bay before the trade deadline allows for some flexibility in the lineup.
Boone also assured that Volpe is healthy, though his struggles this season are not entirely new. He posted a disappointing OPS of .458 in September, likely a result of a challenging season prior to last October’s playoff breakout.
