Yankees Hitting Coach Gives Honest Take on Anthony Volpe’s Struggles

Anthony Volpe’s struggles continue to perplex the New York Yankees. The much-maligned shortstop entered Tuesday mired in a 1-for-28 slump that had dropped his batting average near the Mendoza Line.

To make matters worse, they’re not quite sure why.

“It’s a hard question to answer, to be honest with you,” Yankees hitting coach James Rowson recently told Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. “It’s hard to say why it hasn’t been there because I can tell you that it hasn’t been for a lack of the way he gets after it.”

Volpe returned to the lineup Tuesday following a two-game breather with some of the worst offensive numbers in the sport, slashing .208/.274/.400 despite 18 home runs, three shy of his career-high. Of the 88 players with at least 1,500 plate appearances since Volpe made his major league debut in 2023, his 85 wRC+ ranks dead last.

Volpe Returns to Lineup After Mental Reset

Volpe did not start Monday’s 10-5 win over the Washington Nationals — his second full day off this season and first since May 4 — but was back in the lineup the following day.

The Yankees were hopeful the time away would be a mental reset of sorts for the former top prospect, who is just 12 for his last 71 at the plate.

Rowson has maintained he’s not concerned about Volpe’s ability to become a productive big-league hitter.

“I completely believe that he is,” Rowson told The Athletic. “And I believe that the spurts of him going good over time will continually last longer and longer until, at some point, it’s a non-story.”

When will that happen? Rowson still can’t say.

“I don’t have the crystal ball to tell you that,” he said.

 

Yankees Maintain Belief in Volpe’s Effort

Volpe may be in a funk at the plate, but the Yankees insist it’s not because of a lack of effort. Rowson has expressed confidence in the 24-year-old’s approach at the plate, even as his numbers crater.

Volpe’s average by month has gotten progressively worse this season, going from .245 in April to .169 in August, and there hasn’t been much to suggest that things will drastically change anytime soon.

That said, the Yankees continue to stick by him. Manager Aaron Boone reassured Volpe following the benching that he remains the starting shortstop.

“I view (Jose Caballero) getting a lot of run in a lot of different spots,” Boone said, via the Associated Press. “I view Anthony Volpe as our shortstop.”

Volpe’s Offensive Struggles Have Carried Over to the Field

Volpe’s issues aren’t just at the plate. His 17 errors lead the American League and trail Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz’s 18 for most in the majors. On top of that, Volpe’s -7 Outs Above Average rank 22nd out of 25th qualified players at his position.

It’s a precipitous fall for the 2023 AL Gold Glove winner.

 

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