Despite a horrible start to his rookie campaign, New York Yankees stud prospect Anthony Volpe got a massive vote of confidence on Tuesday from the most important voice in the organization.
Heading into the 2023 season Anthony Volpe was the undisputed top prospect in the New York Yankees organization. The tri-state area native was taken out of high school by his childhood team in 2019 and made a rapid rise through the organization’s farm system.
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With the team always being a playoff contender, Volpe had the luxury of taking his time but after a certain point, his talents became undeniable — especially in spring training — and the team took the bold step of not only guaranteeing him a spot on the roster but installing him as the opening day starting shortstop.
It put a lot of pressure on the 22-year-old because not only did he have to live up to the hype of his own potential, he needed to deliver at a key position on a team that always has immense expectations and just reached the American League Championship Series last fall. However, things have not gone well for Anthony Volpe over the first two months of the season.
New York Yankees record (2023): 38-29, third place in AL East
While he has smacked nine home runs, driven in 26 runs, and snatched up 14 stolen bases, his batting average is an abysmal .186 and he has a whopping 77 strikeouts already. Furthermore, he hasn’t been making up for his lacking of offense by being a consistent and competent player in the field.
It has been a most disastrous start, and if he were a lesser name, he would have likely been demoted back to the minors by now. However, the New York Yankees have a lot invested in his success because of their decision to begin the season.
That fact showed when team CEO Hal Steinbrenner was asked about Volpe’s struggles during a conversation with members of the media on Tuesday. The Yankees boss made it clear that he is dedicated to keeping Volpe on the big league roster, there have been no talks of sending him down, and he expects he will turn it around.
That statement is big for Anthony Volpe and should relieve any pressure he may have felt about an impending return back to the minors.