Anthony Volpe Hitless Streak Continues After Yankees Reset

Anthony Volpe’s return to the New York Yankees lineup on Tuesday drew plenty of attention. The young shortstop is working through what might be the toughest stretch of his season so far.

After sitting out two straight games, Volpe went hitless again in a 5-1 win over the Washington Nationals. His prolonged slump is becoming a big storyline as the Yankees head into the last part of the season.

Volpe’s Ongoing Struggles at the Plate

The 23-year-old infielder is stuck in a rough patch, going 1-for-32 over his last 33 at-bats. He’s currently riding an 0-for-19 skid.

On Tuesday, Volpe nearly broke through with a deep drive in the eighth inning. The ball just missed clearing the wall for what would’ve been his 19th home run.

Manager Aaron Boone’s searching for positives, mentioning Volpe’s solid contact, like a 106 mph lineout. Boone hopes that the mechanical tweaks Volpe has worked on are starting to show, even if the box score doesn’t reflect it yet.

Benching and the Mental Side of the Game

The Yankees kept Volpe out of the lineup for Sunday’s series finale against the Red Sox and Monday’s opener versus the Nationals. It was the first time this season he sat for multiple games in a row.

Boone said it wasn’t meant as a “mental break,” but Volpe admitted the pause gave him a chance to “take it on the chin” and reset. Slumps like this can really test a young player’s confidence, and Volpe’s still figuring out how to bounce back.

Defensive Concerns and Team Depth

Volpe’s glove has usually been a strong point, but he’s had some defensive lapses recently. Boone’s decision to sit him down was partly because of that.

His defense has looked better lately, though. The Yankees’ trade deadline pickup of José Caballero from the Rays now gives them more flexibility at shortstop.

Caballero brings steady defense and decent contact skills. Boone has a solid option if Volpe’s bat doesn’t heat up soon.

This extra depth could be crucial as the playoff push ramps up. Every inning starts to matter more when October’s in sight.

What This Means for the Yankees’ Stretch Run

The Yankees are deep in the playoff chase, and Volpe’s upside is obvious. Still, his inconsistency has forced the team to balance performance and potential.

Boone might rotate his shortstops more, looking for offense while still trying to develop Volpe’s game. If Volpe can’t turn things around soon, fans shouldn’t be surprised if Caballero sees more action—especially in matchups where contact and defense are at a premium.

Keys to Volpe’s Turnaround

For Volpe to break out of this slump, a few things stand out:

• Consistent Hard Contact: He needs to keep hitting the ball hard, but with better launch angles.
• Selective Aggression: Staying patient and not chasing pitches outside the zone could help him find better counts.
• Mental Resilience: Trusting the process and not letting each at-bat pile up in his head is huge.
• Defensive Stability: Limiting errors can keep his confidence up and his value steady on the field.

The Bigger Picture for Volpe’s Career

Slumps happen in baseball. But when they drag on for weeks, they can really shape a season, especially for someone like Volpe who’s still trying to build his resume.

The Yankees see Volpe as a big part of their future. He brings power, speed, and that Gold Glove-level defense you just can’t teach.

Still, he’s got to figure out how to avoid those stretches where nothing seems to work at the plate. That’s been the story of his first two seasons, honestly.

Right now, the Yankees are walking a tightrope with how they handle him. They’re trying to balance winning games now with making sure Volpe keeps growing into the player they believe he can be.

Fans are watching, hoping he shakes off the slump and sparks a postseason push. If he can’t, well, maybe the team’s depth steps up when it matters most.

 
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