The 23-year-old shortstop, Anthony Volpe, proved his worth to the Yankees for the first two months. He was smashing at his career-best running on a 34-game on-base streak. However, in recent months, the Bronx prospect has fallen from the lead-off spot to the seventh position. Against the Baltimore Orioles, when the Yanks looked to sweep the series, Volpe and Alex Verdugo’s blunder cost them the game, leaving Aaron Boone and Co. concerned. 

On Sunday’s game, the Yankees had a golden chance to win late as Ben Rice gave the team an early 5-3 lead with a three-run homer in the ninth innings. However, a crucial fielding error from Anthony Volpe gave the Orioles a run with two outs in the ninth inning. Later, Verdugo misjudged a catch, letting the Orioles win the last game. Reflecting on Volpe’s struggles and lending a supportive hand, Aaron Boone shared his insightful thoughts. 

Aaron Boone shares his raw thoughts on Anthony Volpe

On the famous ‘Talkin Yanks’ show, Boone explained that the Yankees needed a reset at the plate. However, regarding his view on Volpe, it seemed he still supports the lad: “He became our shortstop at 21 and it’s not just always a meteoric rise although it’s been that way certainly defensively, um he’s going to get there.” Since June 6, Anthony Volpe’s batting average has decreased significantly. He is batting at .171/.203/.230, and with a WRC+ of a mere 22, he is probably not justifying his talent. Also, his OPS has dropped from .803 to .666, making him slide to the number seventh position in batting. Further, with no home runs since May 16, the Yankees have fallen 13-21 at the second position in the AL East. 

Additionally, talking about Volpe for the next 10 years, Boone further explained, “As I said like before I moved him to the leadoff spot like you know what when we look up in 10 years, I think he’s going to be a guy that hits in the top of the lineup.” Indeed, in 2023, Anthony Volpe was among the top five prospects of the league, as per MLB Pipeline. Proving his talent, he won the Gold Glove in the American League’s first year of his play. On April 1, 2024, the Yankees shortstop recorded his first-ever four-hit game. Later, with a 21-game streak, Aaron Boone promoted him to be the lead-off hitter for the Yankees. 

However, as the case goes for Volpe, Boone hopes he will return stronger. Even more, the fans are hoping that Anthony will rediscover his form like other top shortstops such as Bobby Witt J. and Orioles Gunnar Henderson. Still, not denying the fact that the Yankees are in a tough spot, and with the first half over, the second half will be a crucial one for the Bronx Bombers. 

Which direction are the New York Yankees headed in the second half?

Throughout the first half of the season, the Yankees have delivered mixed performances. At the start of 2024, the team dominated the AL East league. They were table toppers with a PCT of above .600. However, as injuries crept in and they lost their pitchers, especially Gerrit Cole, the team struggled big time. Also, their defense did not support the team, with Volpe and Verdugo’s recent blunders being a prime example. 

Currently, the second half starts on Friday night, and the Yankees will take on the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday night. Also, the Yankees are just one game behind the table toppers Baltimore Orioles. The Bronx sits at the second position with a PCT of .592 and a win-to-lose record of 58-40. In the upcoming weeks, some of the Yankees’ injured players will return to the team. Specifically, Giancarlo Stanton will return from a hamstring strain, and the right reliever, Scott Effross, will also make his way to the team. Even more, Juan Soto is still nursing a forearm injury, although not a serious one. It will take time for him to return to full hitting capabilities. 

Eventually, Aaron Boone put major trust in the Yankees team, yet again. For a team that has won 27 World Series titles, they know how to fight back after catastrophic previous months. Ultimately, the World Series is just a few months away. If the Yanks can win at least a few more games, they might find themselves in a position to contest for the play-off spot they once missed in 2023. 

As our readers, What do you think? Will the Yankees qualify for the 2024 World Series? Let us know in the comments!