The Yankees have a problem with Anthony Volpe. Manager Aaron Boone reinstated him to the starting lineup after benching him three times in the previous eight games in favor of Jose Caballero. Volpe went 0-for-4 with three fly balls and a strikeout. He then went 0-for-5 on Wednesday with two strikeouts, before bouncing back Thursday with two hits. Boone insists that Volpe is still his primary shortstop, although the numbers indicate otherwise.
The problem Volpe poses for Boone
He is currently not reliable enough to be the main shortstop, especially as his offensive game has declined. Volpe goes into the final game in a 3-for-40 slump, with 14 strikeouts and no walks
Unlike Caballero, Volpe has never played another position other than shortstop, so he doesn’t provide you with any utility. He’s not a useful hitter off the bench (his career has been 4-0 as a pinch hitter). He should be working on his defense in Instructional League style from the start to get his footwork and throwing mechanics back.
Volpe’s streak, one of the worst in over 100 years
Few hitters have had as much playing time in their first three seasons with such poor hitting. Since 1920, 321 players have had at least 1,500 plate appearances in their first three seasons. Volpe and MJ Melendez have the worst batting average with such a track record. The Royals have kept Melendez primarily in Triple-A this season.
Signing off on one of the franchise’s worst Augusts in the last 105 years.
Volpe may be in a slump, but he still has great potential. He is young, athletic, has shown exceptional defensive skills, good bat speed and a solid work ethic. You can’t lose hope with players with that profile.
But the problem for Boone and the Yankees is the pace. They only have 29 games before the postseason to get it back. But Volpe’s fixes take more than two days off, and Caballero right now is a better option. The playing time Boone gives Volpe will remain an important and uncomfortable topic for the manager.
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