Fiery and defensive all through a scrum that lasted over 90 minutes, Brian Cashman’s frustration reached a excessive level on the Common Managers Conferences in Scottsdale, Arizona on Nov. 7, 2023 when a reporter requested him concerning the Yankees’ difficulties creating homegrown hitters.
His group had simply did not make the playoffs for the primary time since 2016, and rookie shortstop Anthony Volpe endured an uneven, strikeout-heavy season regardless of becoming a member of the 20-20 membership as a 22-year-old.
“So if Volpe winds up crushing it this [coming] year, are you gonna be like, ‘Hey, I guess their player development system does produce hitters?’” Cashman shot again earlier than including, “I look forward to you telling me, when Volpe crushes it offensively for us this year, that you’ll say, ‘Hey man, I guess your development program did a good job.’”
Quick ahead to current day, and Volpe has but to crush it. With that in thoughts, Cashman was reminded of his phrases from only a few years in the past on Wednesday.
“Yeah, I remember the viral TikTok,” the overall supervisor mentioned after initially discussing the Yankees’ choice to designate DJ LeMahieu for project.
The reminder got here with Volpe in his third season because the Yankees’ beginning shortstop. Now 24, he entered the day with a .217/.293/.393 slash line, 10 homers, 48 RBI and a 92 wRC+ for the season earlier than going 1-for-4 in a 9-6 Yankees win over the Mariners. His profession wRC+, in the meantime, sat at 86.
One-hundred is taken into account league common.
Whereas Volpe has proven flashes of potential on the plate, his slumps have been way more pronounced. He had only a .577 OPS because the begin of June, and he entered Wednesday’s sport towards the Mariners with simply three hits since July started.
Cashman acknowledged Volpe’s streakiness on Wednesday. Nonetheless, he hasn’t modified the best way he feels concerning the former high prospect, stating, “I’m a fan of Volpe.”
“He’s our shortstop,” Cashman continued, noting that Volpe had a powerful postseason final yr. “Despite the twists and turns of how this season currently is playing out, there’s a lot of season left to be played. I’m not counting him out, and I know he’s going to be part of the solution, rather than the problem.”
Volpe received hit by a pitch on his elbow on June 6, and he banged up his shoulder earlier within the season, however he’s mentioned that he feels ok to be taking part in higher than he’s. Both approach, transient highs and extended lows have been a staple all through his quick profession.
With Volpe by no means capable of finding any type of center floor, it’s been powerful to judge him since he debuted. Aaron Boone, a staunch supporter, has famous that some gamers don’t take a linear path in relation to growth, but it surely’s truthful to say that Volpe has fallen in need of the offensive expectations the group set for him after passing on a star-studded free agent class of shortstops just a few years in the past.
“He certainly can come join the party sooner than later, and I believe he will,” Cashman mentioned. “I just have a high belief in him, but the peaks and valleys are part of a six-month season.”
Even with Volpe’s scuffles on the plate, he’s been value 6.4 Wins Above Alternative for his profession, per FanGraphs. Plenty of his worth has come from his protection, although, as he gained a Gold Glove as a rookie and ended up being a finalist final yr.
However whereas Volpe nonetheless makes particular performs regularly, just a few public metrics say he has regressed within the area this season. On high of main the American League with 11 errors, he had -3 Outs Above Common, a Fielding Run Worth of -2 and two Defensive Runs Saved previous to Wednesday.
Boone lately defended Volpe’s glovework, insisting “he’s f—-g elite” over the weekend at Citi Area. The numbers say he’s been towards the again of the pack, although, and that’s on high of a damaging grade on the bases and a under common bat.
“I know he’s one of the better defensive shortstops in the game,” Cashman mentioned, “but I also know that there are times that that hasn’t played out this year as much, and there’s probably a lot of different reasons why. Him playing through things to be able to post on a daily basis, that’s another one of the things I admire about the guy. He posts every day.”
The Yankees have steadily cited Volpe’s on a regular basis presence within the lineup when standing by him. The identical goes for the gymnasium rat approach through which he goes about his work.
Nonetheless, the work, which has included a number of modifications to Volpe’s swing and each day defensive drills, haven’t yielded constant outcomes.
Possibly that can change by season’s finish, however Volpe’s first 2.5 campaigns counsel in any other case. If that doesn’t pan out, the Yankees wouldn’t be unsuitable to have some troublesome conversations about the way forward for their shortstop place this winter.
Cashman is banking on such discussions being pointless, although.
“I do not consider him a problem,” the GM mentioned. “I perceive that there are struggles there, however I imagine he might be positive.
“I think we’ll be fine with him.”
