The air was heavy after the final out. Another disappointing loss, which stung distinctly. Fans were restless, the dugout looked flat and social media? We can just say it was already on fire before stars hit the showers. However, what came after was not any usual frustrated tweets and knee-jerk takes. No, this was something louder, sharper and it came from a voice that carries a legacy with it.

Enter Gary Sheffield Jr., the son of the former legend and a star who does not shy away from dropping truth bombs. After the Yankees’ defeat to the Cardinals, Sheffield Jr. zeroed in on Anthony Volpe. The 23-year-old shortstop has become a defensive power; however, is quickly sinking at the plate. Gary’s vital commentary ignited debate among fans, analysts and possibly inside the team’s management.

Gary Sheffield Jr. tweeted that, “Anthony Volpe is a serviceable big leaguer, I expect to be in the sport awhile. Can field his position all that yada yada. Where you lose me is that a player that’s serviceable can’t be the starting shortstop of the Yankees for a decade, and that’s where the issue resides”. Oof. That is not just criticism—that is a gut punch wrapped in MLB wisdom.

The who is clear, a voice with pedigree and insight. The what? He is calling Volpe “serviceable” and in Yankees lingo, it translates to “not good enough for the pinstripes long-period”. The why? Well, the star has been fighting badly and in the Yankees, struggles do not go unnoticed.

Shifting from his glove to his bat, this is the heart of the matter: Anthony Volpe can flash leather with the best of them. However, that is just not enough when you are with the Yankees. His bat has gone ice cold and the data are not lying. While Volpe’s defense keeps him afloat, a .209 BA.

How did we get into this situation? It is the classic “good glove, no stick” situation. He, for all his range and highlight-reel plays, has not identified how to manage at the plate. He finished the night 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout. Volpe was not the only star who came up short in the 3-2 loss. However, the moment was not new for the fans — a high-leverage at-bat ending with a miss for the team’s young shortstop.

That trend, now in his third season, has only gotten darker. Through April 23, the star is hitting just .209 and his OBP was .310 with a 27.1 percent strikeout rate. While he is walking more, which is an 11.5 percent walk rate in 2025, more than 6.1 percent in 2024, the star’s zone contact rate has decreased to just 73.0 percent. It is below the MLB average of ~83 percent as per Baseball Savant.

In addition, Volpe’s whiff rate on fastballs has enhanced to almost 30 percent and he has struggled against secondary stuff. Entering Wednesday, he was 0-for-13 mixed against changeups, sliders and curveballs, with a whiff rate north of 45 percent.

The star is hitting the ball harder and his average exit velocity has enhanced to 90.3 mph. He has posted a 13.8 percent barrel rate, more than his 2023 and 2024 seasons data combined. The team provided him with the controversial “torpedo bat”. However, Volpe’s line drive rate is decreased to 15.5 percent with a 31 percent rise in his fly ball rate, with many of those being weakly struck.

Tuesday night was not just a missed scope. It highlighted the larger issue. His swing decisions are good, however, the outcomes just are not there.

With Anthony Volpe struggling, another star’s return offers hope

While the focus burns bright on Volpe’s enhancing pains, something is brewing in the shadows—something powerful. Giancarlo Stanton, the Yankees are identified for sending balls into orbit, just took a vital step toward his return. After weeks of rehab, he currently participates in high-intensity running drills, marking a vital checkpoint in his comeback trail. It is the kind of behind-the-scenes situation that does not make the headlines. But it could transform the tone of the team’s season quickly.

There is the thing: the team has not just been disappointed by one bat—they have been missing the boom altogether. Stanton, when healthy, is an elite offensive force and turns games around with a single swing. The star’s absence has left a gap in the heart of the order, forcing younger stars like Volpe to shoulder more than they probably can handle. Now, with the legend coming closer to rejoining the team, the dynamics could transform. dramatically. That availability, that threat—it is more than just data. It is mental leverage, it is leadership and it could take the weight off Anthony Volpe’s 23-year-old shoulders.

However, one needs to keep it real—this is not just related to balancing the offense. His return could reignite the Yankees, who lost some fight. Picture this: a fit Stanton stepping up, drawing the focus of every pitcher he fights with, while younger stats get more space to breathe. It is a domino effect. One star returns, and suddenly the force does not feel so crushing. That is the ripple fans are thinking to get.

While the critics circle, it is clear the team is at a vital moment—balancing upcoming power with current expectations. Anthony Volpe’s struggles are not happening in isolation. In addition, with reinforcements of Giancarlo Stanton on the horizon, the story for the team is still far from finished. As the Yankees faithful watch closely, one aspect is for sure—every game, every at-bat and every voice is shaping the next chapter.