New York Yankees offense is heavily dependent on dynamic duo of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto this year. The duo, selected for All-Star game already, have stacked up video game numbers due to which the Bronx Bombers have a formidable 54-34 record in AL-East division.
However, a crucial phase of the season coming up, the Yankees are going to need the rest of the hitting lineup to also step up. Shortstop Anthony Volpe has caught the fans attention with his decline at the leadoff spot after initial breakout stretch. Moreover, with Yanks showing signs of regression, Volpe’s spot at the top seems to be in imminent danger.
Anthony Volpe’s Leadoff Spot A Fluid Situation
New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe has faced significant challenges in recent games, with his batting average and on-base percentage falling well below expectations for a leadoff hitter. Initially promoted at the top due to the absence of DJ LeMahieu, Volpe thrived before eventually hitting a grave slump. In Wednesday’s 3-2 loss to the Reds, Volpe went 1-for-5 with two RBIs, and his OPS has fallen to .694 and on-base percentage to .310. Yankee manager Aaron Boone has always believed a leadoff hitter needs to be explosive and provide the necessary momentum to the rest of the lineup. However, Volpe has been disappointed so far. Hence, while Boone is confident about a turnaround, he insisted that leadoff is a fluid situation.
Aaron Boone said that Anthony Volpe’s slump is just the ebb and flow of the season. He would reevaluate his numbers after a week to 10 days to figure out if he is hot or could get hot sooner before making a decision. “Still a very young player, figuring out who he is as a hitter. But it’s something I’m paying attention to, and we’ll see,” Boone said. Meanwhile, Anthony Volpe opined that retaining the leadoff spot is not in his control. He is open to bat anywhere and strives to contribute to the team. That being said, in a scenario where Volpe gets dropped from leadoff, Boone has no immediate options as a replacement. DJ LeMahieu is still not locked in, and Juan Soto’s promotion could risk Aaron Judge’s hot form. Ben Rice, Alex Verdugo, and Gleyber Torres are a few names the skipper could experiment with if the desperate need arises.
Yankees Drop Sixth Straight Series After 3-2 Loss Vs Reds
In a concerning stat, the New York Yankees lost their sixth consecutive series on Tuesday when they were hammered by Cincinnati Reds at Yankee Stadium. The last series won by Yanks was in Kansas against the Royals in the beginning of the June. Since then, the team fell off the bangwagon.
Additionally, the New York Yankees extended the gap to Baltimore Orioles by 2 games in AL-East for the first time this season. Needless to say, the fans weren’t happy and unleashed their wrath on the team on social media. The frustration from supporters was palpable as the Bombers are no longer the best team in MLB.
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