Aaron Boone Defends Anthony Volpe Amid Demotion Calls

The New York Yankees are stuck in a tough spot with young shortstop Anthony Volpe. He’s battling through a season full of offensive struggles and defensive slip-ups.

Despite his rough numbers and an ugly slump at the plate, manager Aaron Boone isn’t budging. Boone says Volpe’s not heading to Triple-A, no matter what.

Volpe’s stats paint a pretty harsh picture: he’s batting just .207 and leads all of Major League Baseball in errors. For someone who once looked like a future two-way star, these numbers are a real letdown for the 23-year-old this year.

Before a recent two-hit game, Volpe went through a brutal stretch—just 1-for-37 over 11 games. That run made his offensive struggles impossible to ignore and showed how much he’s fighting for consistency.

Fans and media have started to wonder if a reset in Triple-A would help. Boone’s not buying it, though. The Yankees are sticking with their guy at shortstop.

Anthony Volpe’s Challenging 2024 Season

Aaron Boone’s Staunch Support

Manager Aaron Boone isn’t entertaining the idea of sending Volpe down. He’s admitted Volpe is slumping, but keeps pointing to the shortstop’s overall body of work earlier this season.

Back then, Volpe had an OPS above .700. Boone sees that as proof Volpe can hang in the big leagues—even if things look rough right now.

The Case Against a Demotion

Boone’s thinking goes beyond just the stats. He’s convinced Volpe’s mindset and emotional toughness give him what it takes to handle adversity in the majors.

Suggesting a demotion for a young shortstop who’s already shown flashes of offensive ability doesn’t add up for Boone. He’s got a long-term vision for Volpe, not just a quick fix.

Expectations vs. Reality

The Yankees hoped Volpe would anchor their infield with both his offensive upside and elite defensive skillset. But in 2024, both have gone missing.

His defensive issues might be just as worrying as his struggles at the plate. Volpe’s league-leading error total pops up in headlines again and again.

For a team chasing a playoff spot, mistakes in the middle infield can sting. That’s just the reality the Yankees are facing.

Insurance Policy: Jose Caballero

Maybe sensing the need for steadier play at shortstop, New York picked up Jose Caballero. Caballero gives them another option, but Boone’s lineups still show he trusts Volpe as the starter.

The front office didn’t grab Caballero to replace Volpe outright. It’s more about having some infield depth and flexibility.

Looking Ahead for Volpe and the Yankees

Boone sees Volpe’s learning curve as a necessary step, not a disaster. Sure, it’s tempting to send him down when every game matters, but Boone wants young players to face the storm in the majors.

There’s risk in that—especially in a tight playoff race—but maybe there’s a bigger payoff if Volpe figures things out and becomes the shortstop the Yankees need.

Key Takeaways

• Volpe is hitting just .207 and leads MLB in errors.
• He endured a 1-for-37 skid before his recent two-hit game.
• Boone refuses to consider a demotion to Triple-A.
• OPS above .700 earlier this season gives Boone confidence in a rebound.
• Jose Caballero offers infield depth but is not replacing Volpe as the starter—yet.

New York baseball doesn’t exactly make things easy for anyone, let alone a struggling rookie. Boone’s sticking with his young shortstop, even as the pressure builds and the numbers slump.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Aaron Boone Angrily Responds to Calls to Send Anthony Volpe to Minors