The New York Yankees view 22-year-old Anthony Volpe as a promising long-term solution at shortstop for their franchise.
Selected with the 30th overall pick in the 2019 draft, Volpe assumed the everyday shortstop duties last season under a one-year contract worth $720,000, alongside a $2.7 million signing bonus. While he is slated for another $720,000 contract, there is anticipation that his performance could warrant a more substantial portion of the Yankees’ payroll in the future.
In 2026, Volpe will be eligible for arbitration, and according to The Athletic’s Tim Britton, he could potentially seek a contract valued around $104 million over nine years. However, Britton suggests that both parties should exercise patience.
Britton advises that the Yankees should wait to gauge Volpe’s true potential before committing to a nine-figure deal, especially considering he’s only had a decent rookie season thus far.
With Anthony Volpe, the New York Yankees Could Have Future Franchise Shortstop
Volpe’s rookie season showcased outstanding defensive prowess, earning him the prestigious Gold Glove Award—the first rookie in franchise history to achieve this feat. However, his offensive performance left room for improvement.
In the 2023 season, Volpe posted a slash line of .209/.283/.383 with 21 home runs and 24 stolen bases in 541 at-bats. If he can elevate his offensive game to match his defensive skills, the Yankees may have found a worthy successor to the legendary shortstop and former captain, Derek Jeter. There’s optimism for growth in the upcoming 2024 season.
During the offseason, Volpe diligently worked on refining his hitting technique at the Yankees’ minor league facility, commencing workouts in early January. According to Joel Sherman’s report in the New York Post, the team’s new hitting coach, James Rowson, observed positive changes in Volpe’s approach, noting that he’s adjusted to “working more through the ball” and reducing the uphill nature of his swing. Rowson anticipates these adjustments will minimize weaknesses in Volpe’s swing, combined with his solid understanding of the strike zone, potentially leading to increased walks and opportunities to utilize his speed on the bases.
These modifications appear to be bearing fruit in the ongoing Spring Training. Volpe’s preseason performance has been impressive, boasting a .368 batting average and a .915 OPS in 38 at-bats.
As Volpe gears up for his sophomore year in the major leagues, he is prioritizing refining his swing mechanics, particularly focusing on eliminating the uppercut motion from his swing to better handle high-velocity pitches, as reported by MLB.com.
The New York Yankees Lack Option at Shortstop
The New York Yankees have high expectations for Volpe, not only in the long term but also for their 2024 aspirations of making a return to the World Series.
Volpe is slated to bat towards the bottom of a formidable Yankees lineup, but the team’s shortstop depth would be a concern without him.
Currently, Oswald Peraza is the primary backup option for Volpe, but he’s dealing with lingering shoulder issues that are expected to persist into the season. In his absence, the next option would likely be 25-year-old Oswaldo Cabrera. However, Cabrera’s readiness for the role is uncertain, particularly in terms of his ability to handle major league pitching.
According to Mark W. Sanchez’s report for the Post, without Peraza, utility player Oswaldo Cabrera could step in as the backup shortstop. However, he might be required to fill various roles across the field, and his offensive performance in early spring games has been less than promising.
Given these circumstances, Volpe appears to be the Yankees’ clear choice for the shortstop position in the future, provided he can make adjustments to his approach at the plate. If he can do so successfully, the team will likely need to invest heavily to retain him, possibly with a nine-figure contract.
