When Anthony Volpe was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on August 3, many assumed his run with the New York Yankees was over. After all, the 25-year-old had never posted an OPS above .670 in four major league seasons, committing 56 errors in the process.
That assumption grew in the coming weeks, as George Lombard Jr. found immediate success as Volpe’s replacement. Following a two-hit, two-RBI contest against the Baltimore Orioles on August 19, Lombard Jr.’s slash line sat at .318/.380/.477. For Volpe, the writing was on the wall, with a path back to the majors non-existent.
Fortunately, the former first-round pick got his big break on September 9, when the Yankees placed Jazz Chisholm Jr. on the IL with a sprained right thumb. Volpe was promptly recalled, this time to play second base. He’s since found success, hitting .286 with seven RBI in 10 games. He’s also cut down on his strikeouts, totaling four in 35 at-bats.
At first, Volpe’s resurgence seems like a feel-good story. However, all signs indicate the Yankees will depend on him beyond this season.
Second Base Uncertainty
One year after a Silver Slugger campaign, Chisholm Jr.’s production has fallen off in a contract year. His OPS has sunk from .813 to .715, while his OPS+ has bottomed from 122 to 98. Of course, his defense has remained elite, with his 12 outs above average ranking in the 97th percentile. Unfortunately, not even that mark can mask his offensive shortcomings.
The Yankees’ front office hasn’t expressed a desire to bring him back, so his future in the Bronx looks meek at best. That leaves a gaping hole at second base, a position the Yankees have filled admirably over the years with Robinson Cano, Gleyber Torres and DJ LeMahieu.
The Yankees could certainly turn to free agency to fill Chisholm Jr.’s void, but the incoming class is relatively weak. Outside of Brandon Lowe and Luis Arraez, who are both over the age of 29, the second base market is parched. This leaves the door wide open for Volpe, who remains under contract through 2028.
How Anthony Volpe Got Here
In hindsight, Volpe never should’ve been a shortstop. His arm strength has never ranked above the 33rd percentile, something that’s contributed to his poor fielding. At second base, Volpe doesn’t need game-changing arm strength. He’s already proved this since returning, accumulating 0.9 defensive WAR in 10 games at the position.
The Yankees have several other holes to fill in free agency, most notably at the third base and catcher positions. If Volpe can fill the Yankees’ impending second base hole, Brian Cashman and company could save money and address the weak spots.
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