Anthony Volpe returned to the New York Yankees lineup after a painful loss to the Minnesota Twins. This is the new reality for the shortstop Anthony Volpe who was expected to be a star, with his comeback marked by a cortisone injection to treat a labrum tear. It was evident that his fielding looked sharp, and he also delivered offensively, going 2-for-4 with a double and a single.
This was a stark contrast to José Caballero‘s performance in the first game of the series. The player who had been performing well struggled defensively and was thrown out on the bases offensively.
Predictions for Anthony Volpe in the Playoffs
Many scenarios could unfold heading into the postseason, but Brendan Kuty of The Athletic specifically commented on the situation the Yankees face with José Caballero and Volpe.
While it’s true that the former Tampa Bay Rays player had a strong series against the Red Sox, the journalist believes the Yankees will ultimately stick with Volpe.
“It seems likely the Yankees will give Volpe a bit more runway to prove he’s healthy and that he can be productive post-cortisone shot, but will he hold up his end?” Kuty wrote.
Volpe feels much better with the treatment he’s received.
“It feels like when we do all the treatments and all the stuff that actually works,” Volpe said, per Greg Joyce of the New York Post. “Before that, we were working on stuff, and it was either the same or obviously worse. After you do hours of treatment and rehab and stuff like that, that’s where it’s kind of frustrating. But now it feels like in a good spot where you can build day to day and get better.”
In the current season, Volpe has a .208 batting average, the lowest of his career, and a .667 OPS, consistent with his performance since his MLB debut. On a positive note, his offensive production stands out: he has accumulated 71 RBIs, the highest total of his career.
However, the big question heading into October is his defense. With just one defensive run saved and -9 outs above average, he’s posted the worst defensive numbers of his career at a position where he had previously shown Gold Glove caliber and consistent fielding.
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