In 2023, it appeared this query had been solved for the following decade-plus.
Nevertheless, the most recent inheritor obvious to Derek Jeter — Anthony Volpe, this time — has not precisely lined himself in glory. After successful the shortstop job in spring coaching throughout his rookie season Volpe has put himself firmly on the recent seat shifting ahead, taking part in poorly sufficient to be benched for Jose Caballero just a few instances final season.
With the present scenario in flux resulting from Volpe’s shoulder damage which can sideline him for the start of the 2026 season, additional setting again his vital offensive growth, a take a look at the shortstop place shifting ahead is critical.
Listed below are the candidates to man shortstop for the Bombers for the foreseeable future:
GEORGE LOMBARD JR.
The baseball world is as excessive on George Lombard Jr. as they’ve been on any Yankee prospect in current reminiscence. The Yankees’ 2023 first-round decide burst onto the scene in his early minor-league days and established elite-prospect standing.
The 20-year-old is MLB Pipeline’s No. 25 prospect after being fast-tracked to Double-A final season. Lombard obtained off to a scorching begin with Excessive-A, posting a .983 OPS in 24 video games, incomes his promotion to Somerset, nevertheless, it was a little bit of a studying curve for the teen as soon as he reached the upper ranges. The shortstop posted a .695 OPS in 108 video games as his bat nonetheless wants some growth — regular for a participant of his age.
Nevertheless, as we noticed with Volpe, a robust spring can change lots of issues. Lombard is a sure-handed defender and gifted baserunner, stealing 35 luggage in 132 video games. His ETA is 2027, in keeping with Pipeline, but when the bat catches up with the remainder of his recreation, 2026 will not be fully out of the query.
Because it stands, Lombard is the odds-on favourite to man the place for almost all of the foreseeable future.
ANTHONY VOLPE
Sure, he’s clearly nonetheless a candidate.
Volpe has seemingly gotten 1,000,000 probabilities and he’ll undoubtedly get extra. The Yankees can level to his manufacturing earlier than his shoulder damage — he owned a .768 OPS earlier than he tore his labrum and finally performed by it — as knowledge to help their determination to increase the leash of Volpe.
Nevertheless, regardless of the reasoning, the info are the info. He posted OPS’s under .670 in every of his first three seasons and seemingly took a step again defensively final 12 months. His highly-touted baserunning capability was hardly even an element final season stealing simply 18 luggage.
If Volpe can handle to interrupt out offensively and match the invoice of the highest hitting prospect repute he earned within the minors, he nonetheless can man the place. Nevertheless, with three sub-par seasons underneath his belt and now a delay together with his labrum surgical procedure, that looks like a tall mountain to climb.
POTENTIAL OUTSIDE ADDITIONS
Listed below are potential commerce candidates and upcoming free brokers.
Nationals SS CJ Abrams — Has been topic to some commerce rumors. Posted an OPS above .740 in back-to-back seasons.
Reds SS Elly De La Cruz — A protracted shot, nevertheless, Reds possession has seemingly been lifelike about their capability to pay him.
Angels SS Zach Neto — The Angels are at all times dangerous, good gamers on dangerous, rebuilding groups are at all times inclined to commerce.
