New York Yankees top prospect Anthony Volpe lived his dream of donning the pinstripes at just 21 years of age. The kid impressed almost everyone and earned a much-deserved spot on the iconic Yankees roster. However, the initial thrill doused quickly as the shortstop hit a significant slump. The slump intensified as the rookie struggled to wrap his head around the challenging situation.
For the longest time, Anthony Volpe‘s batting average stayed below .200, and the strikeout rates touched record highs. Despite all odds, the Yankees vowed to back him until the end. On his part, Volpe tried to do his best to figure out a solution to a problem he had never faced before in his short career span. However, things changed one fine night over the dinner table.
Anthony Volpe Records Hot Streak Since Tweaking His Stance
On an off-day, Anthony Volpe went back to his childhood home in New Jersey and invited a few fellow minor league colleagues for a chicken parm dinner. The young rookie revisited his old days at the minors while watching some clips. Just while the kids were having a gala time, a former catching prospect, Austin Wells, noticed something unusual with Volpe’s batting stance. He conveyed the same to the shortstop, who also agreed with Wells’ discovery. The duo ended up talking about it the whole night, and Anthony decided to go back to his old stance just to see if does produce any wonders.
Anthony Volpe in 12 games since Austin Wells told him to adjust his batting stance over chicken parm dinner:
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) June 28, 2023
11-for-35 (.314), HR, 4 2B, 6 BB, .929 OPS pic.twitter.com/RT3eP2j7pn
The rookie immediately approached Yankees hitting coach Dillon Lawson and suggested the adjustment, which the former approved. Anthony Volpe moved closer to the plate and closed the gap between his hips, which helped him to get a better understanding of the pitches thrown at him. The adjustment is bearing fruits. Since that dinner night out, Volpe has been hitting .314 with a home run, four doubles, six stolen bases, and .929 OPS. The strikeout rate is still a problem, but the hitting percentage has certainly improved. This is a positive sign for the rookie who is desperately trying to adjust to major-league pitching. Having said that, it’s just Volpe’s first-ever major league season, and people must cut him some slack.
Anthony Volpe Shines In The Yankees Humiliating 1-2 Loss Vs. Athletics
The New York Yankees have been facing a hard time offensively since Aaron Judge suffered from a toe injury. Since the captain landed on IL, the team has been hitting .198 with a .261 OBP and 57 runs scored. Moreover, the Bombers even succumbed to the weakest pitching staff of MLB, the Athletics. The team lost the series opener by 1-2 as major batters went hitless in the whole game.
Amid the humiliation, the rookie, Anthony Volpe, emerged as the bright spot. While he was caught off stealing the base for the first time this season, the shortstop managed to record a three-hit game. He hit three singles, and his overall batting average went past .200 for the first time in a long while. Speaking on the performance, Volpe said he feels a lot more comfortable and normal since adjusting his stance. Regardless of the results, the shortstop went back home happy with his time on the plate.
