Anthony Volpe’s early-season power surge for the New York Yankees has fizzled, reigniting the Anthony Volpe batting slump debate and drawing fresh criticism from rivals, including former Red Sox players. As the Yankees continue to struggle on offense and Volpe’s stats fade, questions swirl about whether the controversial Torpedo bat is helping or hurting, with high-profile voices adding fuel to the heated conversation.
Volpe’s Rapid Rise and Sudden Downturn Spark Frustration
When the 2024 MLB season began, Anthony Volpe seemed destined for a breakout year. The Yankees shortstop homered five times in his first five games, and fans at Yankee Stadium couldn’t get enough, dubbing him ‘Volpedo’ as they anticipated a star-making campaign. However, the excitement soon unraveled. After a red-hot start, Volpe’s home run pace fell off drastically, and his presence at the plate lost its earlier spark. The once-deafening cheers shifted into murmurs of concern and then outright frustration as Volpe’s performance plateaued.
Adding to the controversy, Volpe and a growing group of MLB hitters adopted the newly engineered Torpedo bat. This bat, designed with a barrel closer to the hands to shift the center of gravity, quickly became a talking point. It was not just Volpe who embraced the bat; players like Cody Bellinger, Jazz Chisholm Jr., and Paul Goldschmidt also began using it. Its distinctive design sparked debate, with critics calling for a ban and purists questioning its legitimacy. But, as the season wore on and Volpe’s slump deepened, the Torpedo bat’s role in his decline came under the microscope.
The Mockery from Red Sox Alumni Amplifies the Debate
Tensions flared further after the Yankees dropped a close game to the Toronto Blue Jays, and fans’ impatience with Volpe grew louder. Gary Sheffield Jr., host of the Yankees Unloaded podcast, used social media to spotlight the numbers, stating,
“Anthony Volpe is hitting .229 this year and he’s a .228 hitter for his career in 1,467 at-bats. What’s this mean?”
—Gary Sheffield Jr., Yankees Unloaded podcast host
This prompted Jeff Frye, a former Red Sox veteran, to retort with withering sarcasm: “The Torpedo Bat doesn’t work?” —Jeff Frye, former Red Sox player. Frye’s comment, complete with a shrug emoji, stung all the more for coming from an AL East rival. Given the preseason excitement that surrounded both Volpe and the bat he gripped, the irony was hard to miss for Red Sox supporters and critics alike.
After that early five-home-run burst, Volpe managed just four more homers across the next several weeks. His batting line dropped to .226/.306/.711, and he lagged with 9 home runs and 44 RBIs. Defensive woes compounded the struggles; Volpe led the American League with 11 errors, an unwelcome statistic for someone who once claimed a Gold Glove. Despite mounting pressure, the 24-year-old seemed unfazed, drawing further scrutiny from fans and analysts.
Volpe Addresses Defensive Struggles as Bat Criticism Intensifies
In the wake of a particularly costly mistake during New York’s narrow 5–4 defeat to the Blue Jays, Volpe was questioned about his defensive approach and attitude toward errors. He sought to explain his mindset about being aggressive in the field, stating,
“There are some plays where you’re going to be aggressive,”
—Anthony Volpe, Yankees shortstop. He continued,
“I’m going to go for that play every single time. Ball gets knocked down, and it’s not an error. I expect to make that play, whether it’s in the book or not.”
—Anthony Volpe, Yankees shortstop
Volpe’s attempt to downplay the impact of costly errors struck a nerve, especially given the Yankees’ ongoing slide and his own declining performance. For many observers, the combination of cold hitting and defensive miscues was a troubling shift for a player once hailed as a cornerstone for New York’s future.
The Torpedo Bat: Innovation, Gimmick, or Scapegoat?
The Yankees’ brief romance with the Torpedo bat drew national attention and set the stage for what many hoped would be a technological boost. Built with a tapered shape and shifting barrel, its unique weight balance promised power and quicker swings, leading some to believe it could revolutionize the game. Yet, with Volpe’s slump deepening, the bat quickly became a lightning rod for skepticism.
The conversation took another twist as ex-Red Sox star and MLB icon David Ortiz, nicknamed “Big Papi,” weighed in. Known for his no-nonsense style, Ortiz voiced skepticism about the bat’s influence when he put it to his own test.
“Give me a toothpick and I’ll hit the motherf—r,”
—David Ortiz, former MLB player. He didn’t stop there, further downplaying the controversy and focusing on the fundamentals:
“Everyone is b—-ing about it. It is legal. You still gotta hit it,”
—David Ortiz, former MLB player
Ortiz’s blunt comments underscored a growing view: regardless of bat design, a player still must deliver. The focus shifted to skill, preparation, and execution—elements not solved by advanced equipment. His remarks stung all the more as the Yankees, a chief rival of Ortiz’s Boston Red Sox, failed to find answers at the plate.
Comparisons Deepen Debate as Other Hitters Find Success
Volpe’s struggles stand in sharper relief when compared to other players swinging the Torpedo bat. Cal Raleigh, for example, has soared to the top of league leaderboards, smashing 33 home runs and racking up 77 RBIs with the very same equipment. The fact that other hitters are thriving despite—or perhaps because of—the bat weakens claims that its design alone is to blame for Volpe’s statistical plunge.
This ambiguity fans the flames of the Anthony Volpe batting slump debate. As fans and commentators dissect his mechanics, hand-eye coordination, and overall approach, the bat remains a symbol of both promise and disappointment. For the Yankees faithful, the stakes are immense; for rivals and critics, Volpe’s woes present an easy target for mockery and analysis.
Ongoing Questions and What Lies Ahead for Volpe and the Yankees
Whether the Torpedo bat amounts to mere hype or a transformative tool remains unsettled. With Anthony Volpe now at the heart of the debate, every game brings fresh examination and renewed calls for answers. Rival opinions, from Gary Sheffield Jr. to Jeff Frye and David Ortiz, have amplified the scrutiny and contaminated clubhouse optimism with doubt and tension.
The Yankees’ fortunes this season may well hinge on Volpe’s ability to break free of his slump and prove that his early surge was no fluke. As the baseball world looks on, one question echoes through the stands and across social media: is Volpe in need of a new bat, a new approach—or simply time to adapt and rise once again? Until he answers on the field, controversy and conflicted emotions will continue to define the narrative around the Anthony Volpe batting slump debate.