Anthony Volpe has been hailed as a future superstar who will eventually become the face of the New York Yankees.
Only a fool would bet against those developments one day coming true. But for now, Volpe is a struggling 22-year-year-old shortstop who entered Tuesday slashing .186/.260.345 with a 67 OPS+.
Since becoming the youngest Yankees starter on Opening Day since Derek Jeter, the player Volpe has been — and likely always will be — inevitably compared. Volpe has appeared overmatched at the plate.
Despite those struggles, Yankees team owner Hal Steinbrenner said Tuesday there has been “zero” talk about sending the rookie to the minors.
“I’ve had zero conversations about that,” Steinbrenner said (via The New York Post). “I think defensively; he’s been pretty solid. Pitchers have adjusted to him; now he’s going to have some adjustments to make himself. I don’t think any of this is out of the ordinary.”
Steinbrenner gave Volpe a vote of confidence before the season, telling him not to worry if there were some growing pains along the way.
“I told Anthony at the end of spring training; I said you were the starting shortstop for the New York Yankees. This isn’t a three-week trial,” Steinbrenner said. “So you’re gonna be that through the ups and through the potential downs, and there probably will be downs. But again, I don’t think it’s anything unusual.”
Volpe has hit nine home runs in 226 at-bats, which is projected for a whole season and is rare power for a shortstop. But plate discipline has been an issue: He has 77 strikeouts, tied for 10th in MLB this season.
Yet given his potential — and Steinbrenner’s staunch support — don’t be surprised to see Volpe turn things around soon.
