This time last year, Anthony Volpe was preparing to win the Yankees’ starting shortstop position in spring training.
After winning a Gold Glove in 20/20 and experiencing some growing pains after that, Volpe is preparing for a more consistent second season.
“I think I’m trying to take some of the strengths of my game and make them more consistent,” Volpe said Saturday at the “Pinstriped Pride” sign at American Dream in New Jersey. I spoke at the meeting. “Now we’ve ironed out a few things that will set us up for the level of success I expect.”
Volpe showed glimpses of his potential during an eventful rookie season, playing most of the season at age 22, and has a chance to take a big step forward this season with one year of major league experience. his belt.
Throughout the past year, the Yankees have praised Volpe’s baseball IQ and coordination, which will be key as he builds on what he learned during last season’s struggles in his rookie year.
“I obviously learned a lot about everything last year,” Volpe said. “So we were going to cut back on work.” [in Tampa]”
Volpe’s debut season was encouraging based on a number of factors. He became the first rookie in franchise history to hit at least 20 home runs and steal at least 20 bases, and the first shortstop to win a Gold Glove Award.
However, the New Jersey product fell short in other areas as well, posting a .209 batting average, .666 OPS, and 167 strikeouts in 159 games.
Although he seemed to be back in shape at the plate, August was arguably his best month of the season. He ended the year with a tough September, just pitchers adjusting to him and putting him in a slump. It was also the end of the longest year of his professional career).
“just [working on] There are a lot of different things that I felt went well and things that I felt didn’t go well, like consistency,” Volpe said. “We are leveraging all our resources and organizations and trying to work together to help everyone improve.”
After Volpe decisively beat out Oswaldo Peraza and Isaiah Kiner-Falefa for the starting spot last spring, the Yankees, as general manager Brian Cashman said, were willing to rely on Volpe to contribute at shortstop, “for better or for worse.” I told him that I had promised him.
Now, they’re counting on the benefit of Volpe being able to experience success and failure at the highest level and continue to grow.
Like last year, Volpe got a head start in spring training and was already at the Yankees’ complex in Tampa with a slew of players before pitchers and catchers reported on February 14th and position players on February 19th. We are training together.
The Yankees had a disappointing 82-80 season, so they are motivated to do something different this year.
“We’ve all been there for probably about a month now, so we’re all ready to go,” Volpe said. “We want to give it our all.”
Even if the player package needed to acquire Volpe from the Padres in December hurts on an individual level, the Yankees will likely do so with Juan Soto (now the Padres) in the trade. In Arizona during a downturn.
“It was definitely bittersweet,” Volpe said. “But at the end of the day, it’s a great opportunity. I know I’m really excited going forward.”
