The New York Yankees are trying to pretend everything is fine, but it’s getting harder by the day. Anthony Volpe, their once-hot shortstop and table-setter, is mired in the kind of slump that turns the promise into a panic.
Volpe is hitless in his last 24 at-bats and just 12-for-62 (.194) for June. His OPS has cratered to .710—the worst among all qualified Yankees hitters—and his .228 batting average is plummeting with each passing game. And yet, he’s still penciled into the lineup nearly every night.
Boone Bets on Familiarity, Not Rest
Manager Aaron Boone admitted that Volpe needs a day off, but surprisingly announced on Friday that the rest would not come until Sunday. That decision raised eyebrows—managers rarely pre-announce rest days, especially when a player is scuffling. But the Yankees liked the Saturday matchup against Orioles starter Zach Eflin. Volpe entered the game with a career .333 average against Eflin (6-for-18), suggesting that maybe-maybe-a favorable pitcher could help snap the slump.
Sunday, however, presents a different story. The Yankees are scheduled to face Dean Kremer, against whom Volpe is just 1-for-11 in his career. That’s when Boone plans to pull the plug, if only temporarily.
Slumping at the Plate and in the Field
Volpe’s current issues go beyond the batter’s box. The Gold Glove shortstop has begun to show cracks in the field, too. While he hasn’t been charged with a significant error during this stretch, he’s made several sloppy plays that reflect the mounting pressure. And at the plate, it’s more than just bad luck—his chase rate has jumped from 22% to 32% over the past five games, per YES Network research. He’s pressing, and it’s showing.
Clubhouse Still Believes… For Now
Aaron Judge, ever the clubhouse captain, had encouraging words for the struggling infielder.
“Keep going,” Judge told reporters. “You’ve been there before. Just go out there and do your thing. Don’t feel bad for yourself—especially because the Orioles won’t feel bad for you.”
The Yankees have kept their public messaging supportive, repeatedly pointing to Volpe’s work ethic and confidence. Boone mentioned potential mechanical flaws and timing issues, noting that Volpe might be “a little late getting into position” at the plate.
The Clock Is Ticking on the Jeter Successor Narrative
Volpe has now played 74 of the Yankees’ 75 games this season—only Aaron Judge and Paul Goldschmidt have played more. He hasn’t had a day off since May 4, shortly after injuring his shoulder on a dive.
But the Yankees’ patience has its limits. Volpe is beloved, yes, but this is his third year, and if he repeats his sophomore season’s trajectory—hot start, prolonged slump, late rebound—the questions will get louder. Is he Derek Jeter’s heir, or just a solid role player with Gold Glove defense and streaky offense?
For now, Volpe still has the clubhouse’s faith and the front office’s support. But if June repeats itself, the Yankees will have to confront an uncomfortable truth: Anthony Volpe is becoming a problem.
Yankees Make Surprising Call on Slumping Shortstop