Yankees’ Under-Fire Rookie Anthony Volpe Exhibiting Significant Improvement

Anthony Volpe

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Anthony Volpe made an express entry into the major league purely because of his talent and passion for the sport of baseball and also the New York Yankees. After an electric spring debut, Volpe was handed shortstop duties on opening day. However, the transition has not been the kind anyone could have imagined. The rookie has hit a roadblock slump which is hindering his overall growth as a player.

Thanks to the unwavering support from the Yankees front office, Anthony Volpe had the chance to work on himself and prove why he deserves to be in the major league as much as any active player. With a stance adjustment along with much-needed rest, Volpe is back with a bang. During the recent road trip, the rookie scripted a unique record with multiple hit games.

   

Anthony Volpe Records Five Consecutive Multi-Hit Games, Scripts History

Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Before boarding a flight to West, New York Yankees rookie Anthony Volpe was hitting .195 with record strikeout rates. However, things changed quickly during the road trip. He recorded conservative multi-hit games across five games last week and got a unique record under his belt. Volpe is now the only batter in modern-day baseball with the lowest season batting average while entering a five-multi-hit game streak. Not only that, but after the road trip, his average has now soared to .216 with 10 homers, 29 RBI, and 16 steals.

Just in case you are wondering what changed, let’s enlighten you with some interesting developments. Anthony Volpe was benched a few weeks ago due to his subpar performance, which messed with his head. Hence, on an off day, he went back home and invited some friends over to reminisce on old memories. While watching some batting clips, the rookie noticed a change in his batting stance. During his minor league days, he was stationed closer to the plate, which helped him in a better connection. Hence, Volpe used it in a game after the break and generated results instantly. He said that it was a small yet substantial adjustment that might become a difference-maker in the future. The shortstop’s resurgence has come at the right time for the Yankees, who are desperately fighting to keep the World Series dream alive.

Stats Prove That Recent Adjustment Has Helped Volpe Immensely On The Plate

May 23, 2023; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (11) reacts to hitting a sacrifice fly ball against the Baltimore Orioles during the tenth inning at Yankee Stadium. / Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Who would have thought that a chicken parm dinner with friends and family would change Anthony Volpe’s tide on the plate? At the very same dinner table, Volpe came up with an idea to make an adjustment in his stance by moving closer to the plate. The records since then have been a clear testament to the success of the adjustment. Prior to the dinner night, the rookie was averaging .186 with nine home runs, five doubles, two triples, 22 walks, 14 stolen bases, and a .605 OPS in 67 games.

After that night, his numbers soared to .373 with one home run, five doubles, one triple, seven walks, two stolen bases, and a 1.017 OPS in 16 games. With this adjustment, he has devised a way to tackle major league pitch variations which were troubling him right from the start. Hence, Anthony Volpe is witnessing a much-needed resurgence. Moreover, it has come at a time when the Yankees are struggling to stand tall offensively amid Aaron Judge‘s absence, which will bring relief to the team.

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