The 2025 season marked a turning point for Anthony Volpe, and not in the way the New York Yankees had envisioned. Entering the year with expectations of growth and leadership, the young shortstop instead endured the most difficult campaign of his professional career.
Offensive inconsistency, defensive miscues and mounting pressure combined to create a season that tested both his performance and his confidence.
Volpe‘s numbers reflected the downturn. His batting average fell sharply compared to the previous year, and while there were minor improvements in isolated power, his overall production declined. Even more troubling was his defensive regression.
After capturing a Gold Glove earlier in his career, Volpe led the American League in errors last season, an uncharacteristic statistic for a player once praised for his reliability in the field. Across 153 games, he produced just 1.3 bWAR, a modest return for a player considered a cornerstone of the franchise.
Complicating matters further, Volpe played much of the season through pain. A torn labrum in his right shoulder, which was eventually repaired during offseason surgery, likely contributed to his struggles at the plate.
The procedure will keep him sidelined at the start of the 2026 campaign, ruling him out for Opening Day and delaying his opportunity for redemption. Team officials expect him back sometime in April, but his exact timeline remains dependent on rehab progress.
Questions surround Volpe’s return
The debate over how to handle Volpe‘s return has already sparked strong opinions. On WFAN 660, sports radio host Tommy Lugauer argued that the Yankees should not simply reinstall Volpe as the starting shortstop once he is medically cleared.
Lugauer suggested that automatically restoring him to the lineup would ignore the reality of his 2025 regression and the pressure cooker environment of Yankee Stadium.
“I don’t believe Anthony Volpe should be handed back the start job once he’s healthy,” Lugauer said. “Allow Volpe to earn that starting shortstop gig back. Because there’s this perception that he’s the golden boy.
“Yankee fans are going to meet him with boos if he struggles early.”
Forcing Volpe back into a high-stakes role without competition, Lugauer contends, might only amplify that scrutiny. He believes the young infielder should have to re-earn the position, allowing him to rebuild confidence away from immediate expectations.
From an organizational standpoint, the situation presents a delicate balance. The Yankees, a flagship franchise within Major League Baseball, must weigh development against accountability. Volpe remains just 24 years old, with time and talent still on his side. Yet performance ultimately dictates opportunity in a results-driven market.
Whether Volpe reclaims his role quickly or faces competition upon his return, the 2026 season could define the trajectory of his career. A strong rebound would silence critics and reaffirm the club’s faith in him.
Another prolonged slump, however, could reshape the Yankees’ long-term plans at shortstop and intensify calls for change in the Bronx.
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