There aren’t many positives to take from the New York Yankees’ 2023 season. They only played one game above the .500 mark, finished in fourth place in their division, manager Aaron Boone had his questionable decisions and so on.
There were positives too, notably the performance of Gerrit Cole who will most likely win the Cy Young. In this same category, we can talk about the performance of rookie Anthony Volpe. At least, defensively speaking. The shortstop is nominated for the Gold Glove, which is frankly no small thing for a player in his first season.
Although his defensive play made eyes widen, his stick was disappointing, it must be admitted. He finished the year with a .209 batting average. At least he hit for his weight (180 pounds): that’s something.
Room for improvement
Volpe has made a good impression in 2023 and his teammates are the first to believe in him and his potential. We’re not talking about just anyone here. Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole had nothing but good words for their new teammate. Judge is convinced that the 22-year-old can only improve and sincerely believes that the latter will have a thunderous campaign in 2024.
His batting coach also believes in him a lot. Sean Casey likes what he sees in his young colt and the effort he puts into improving. Although Volpe had a particularly bad September, with a .163 plate average (his worst month of the year), Casey says he can justify his rookie player’s shortcomings. He recalls that a baseball season is extremely long and that perhaps Volpe ran out of gas at the end, he who was never used to playing so many games.
A world of difference
There is a big gap between the minor leagues and the major league. Many lose their teeth and are never able to repeat the successes experienced in the past.
Volpe has everything in his toolbox to become an important cog in the Yankees and bring stability to the shortstop position in the New York team. Something they haven’t really had since Derek Jeter left. Several have followed one another, but few have succeeded in the long term.
The Yankees really seem to believe in Volpe and will give him every chance in the world to succeed. The proof: they haven’t signed any free agents at this position and there’s no indication they intend to. It’s up to him to have a good career.
