Yankees' Struggles with Volpe's Inconsistency

NEW YORK — The Yankees are wrestling with a major puzzle: Why can’t shortstop Anthony Volpe find his rhythm at the plate after three seasons in the majors? Hitting coach James Rowson candidly admits it’s a hard question to solve.

Volpe’s development is crucial for the Yankees, who believe solidifying his performance could secure his role as both the shortstop of today and tomorrow. However, the team currently lacks clarity on why Volpe's offensive output resembles a fluctuating heartbeat, leaving everyone scratching their heads.

Rowson's Insights on Volpe's Struggles

"It's tough to explain why consistency has eluded him,” Rowson said. “His work ethic is unmatched; he’s not slacking off. But there’s really no pinpoint answer for his inconsistency. He’s dedicated, and that should show in his results.”

In a surprising shift, Volpe has not started consecutive games for the first time this season. Manager Aaron Boone plans to put him back into the lineup against the Washington Nationals, viewing this downtime as a necessary 'reset' to get Volpe back on track.

The Stats Tell an Alarming Story

The urgency for improvement is apparent. Among hitters with 1,500 plate appearances, Volpe’s offensive performance is among the worst, with a mere 85 wRC+. Previously, fans could rely on his Gold Glove-winning defense to provide daily value, but this year, his glove work has declined alongside his faltering offensive stats, making him one of MLB's least effective regulars.

Teammate Jazz Chisholm Jr. Stands by Volpe

Inside the clubhouse, teammate Jazz Chisholm Jr. is impressed by Volpe’s resilience, especially under the pressure of New York fans. "The fans here expect success, and it can be rough when you're struggling. But Volpe's handling it maturely. He’s only 24, and he’s had success before; I believe he’ll bounce back. Plus, 18 home runs as a shortstop is impressive!" Chisholm stated.

Unraveling Volpe's Swing Dilemma

The Yankees initially had faith in Volpe's potential as a hitter, given his .881 OPS in the minors. However, his time in the major leagues has seen him falter in maintaining a consistent hitting approach. He wrestles between a power-hitting strategy and a contact-based approach, which has led to unpredictable performance.

Looking for Long-Term Consistency

Rowson believes that Volpe can become a dependable major leaguer, citing his rigorous behind-the-scenes work. Yet, he acknowledges the frustration that comes with a lack of tangible results. "It's concerning when hard work doesn't translate to success on the field. But I’m confident everything is in place for him to eventually become a quality player.”

Future Uncertain but Promising

The only successful hitting profile Volpe has shown came from his minor league days, marked by a strong pull-side power, a trait that has diminished considerably. Boone has a pragmatic view — as long as Volpe is productive, the type of hitter he evolves into isn’t paramount. He reminds everyone that productive offensive players come in various forms.

"We need to limit the areas of inconsistency. Volpe has tremendous ability and has flashed it at times. Now, the challenge is maintaining that flash over an extended period,” Boone expressed.

Caballero's Emergence Adds Pressure

With José Caballero stepping in at shortstop during Volpe's absence, there’s a subtle shake-up in dynamics. While Caballero has proven to be more effective recently, the Yankees maintain that Volpe isn’t facing direct competition for his position just yet.

"I have no doubts Volpe will find a way to become a productive major-league hitter," Rowson concludes, acknowledging that while the timeline for this improvement is uncertain, he believes in Volpe’s eventual success.