Anthony Volpe was hailed as a major prospect when the New York Yankees called him up, expected to eventually fill the iconic role once held by Derek Jeter at shortstop. While Volpe has consistently proven his defensive skills, his offensive output has generated mixed reactions, with a batting average of .219, 10 home runs, and 48 RBIs this season so far.
The disappointment in his hitting performance has led many fans to express frustration, often comparing him unfavorably to standout shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. However, Yankees insider Michael Kay suggests that much of the criticism stems from unrealistic comparisons rather than Volpe’s actual contributions.
“He doesn’t look good, I’m not going to sit here and put lipstick on a pig,” Michael Kay said [33:30], via ‘The Show’ on Tuesday. “[But] if you look up, he has 10 home runs and 48 runs batted in. If you take that over a full season, he’s going to finish [around] 17 [home runs] and 80-85 [RBIs]. It would be one of the top five or six shortstops. At this point, with the money that he’s making, he’s very serviceable for the Yankees.”
“I keep telling fans, he was the same player last year, they made the World Series, and he happened to have a really good postseason. I don’t know what people want. I think they get jealous of Bobby Witt Jr., who was the second pick in the Draft. Anthony Volpe was the 30th pick in the draft.”
Support from Insiders Highlights Volpe’s Value to the Yankees
Despite persistent skepticism among fans, several insiders continue to affirm Anthony Volpe’s positive impact on the team and his potential for growth. Bryan Hoch, another respected Yankees insider, emphasized in June that much of the criticism directed at Volpe is exaggerated and that his performance this season actually shows improvement.
“I think a lot of the noise around him is overblown,” Hoch said [3:23], via ‘New York 4 to 7’ on June 27. “You zoom out a little bit. He’s actually having a pretty decent offensive season, better than last year. Believe it or not, he’s above a league-average shortstop. You can win with Anthony Volpe at shortstop.”
“The Yankees proved it last year. They went to the World Series with him, uh, he’s not going to be Derek Jeter. He doesn’t have to be Derek Jeter. He doesn’t have to be Bobby Witt Jr. He just needs to be the best version of Anthony Volpe and that’s good enough for the Yankees. I really do believe that.”
Looking Ahead: Volpe’s Role in the Yankees’ Future
The Yankees, fresh off breaking a six-game losing streak with a 6-4 victory over the New York Mets, will be counting on consistent performances from Anthony Volpe as they aim to regain momentum. While comparisons to elite players like Bobby Witt Jr. continue, insiders suggest Volpe’s steady contributions both defensively and offensively provide a foundation the team can build upon.
The ongoing discussion around Volpe highlights the challenges young players face when entering a franchise with storied traditions and high expectations. As the season progresses, the emphasis remains on Volpe refining his game and delivering as the Yankees’ reliable shortstop rather than matching the accomplishments of past stars or other top draft picks.