In recent weeks, there has been a noticeable decline in Anthony Volpe’s performance on the field. Despite starting the season strong, his numbers have taken a hit, leaving fans and analysts questioning the impact of his move to the leadoff spot. However, Yankees manager Aaron Boone remains confident that Volpe’s struggles have nothing to do with his position in the batting order.
Volpe had been performing well, with a slash line of .262/.345/.390 and a .734 OPS, which were even better than his rookie season. But since being moved to the leadoff spot on April 10, he has experienced a slump. In his last 29 at-bats, he has only managed to get four hits and has struck out nine times. His slash line since the move is .209/.299/.291, with a 590 OPS.
Despite these recent struggles, Volpe remained in the leadoff spot for Friday night’s game against the Tigers. He went 1-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout. Boone acknowledges that Volpe hasn’t been as hot as he was in the first couple of weeks but believes that it has nothing to do with his position in the lineup. He attributes Volpe’s struggles to the ups and downs of the season, especially for young players, and emphasizes that hitting in the major leagues is challenging. However, Boone also highlights that Volpe has shown improvement as a hitter compared to last year.
The decision to move Volpe to the leadoff spot was prompted by Gleyber Torres’ struggles there and DJ LeMahieu’s absence due to a foot fracture. Despite Volpe’s recent offensive woes, Boone has decided to keep him in the leadoff spot for now. He remains optimistic about Volpe’s abilities and believes that as other players return to the lineup, there may be an opportunity to reassess the batting order.
In conclusion, while Anthony Volpe has experienced a decline in performance since his move to the leadoff spot, Yankees manager Aaron Boone is confident that this change in position is not the cause of his struggles. Boone attributes Volpe’s recent slump to the natural ebbs and flows of the season, particularly for young players. The decision to move Volpe to the top of the lineup was based on the team’s personnel situation rather than a reflection of his abilities. As the season progresses and players return from injury, the batting order may be adjusted, but for now, Volpe will continue to lead off for the Yankees.
