TAMPA — The Yankees may not have a streakier hitter than Anthony Volpe.
However they definitely shouldn’t have a greater defender, both, and Volpe’s glove has continued to shine at shortstop no matter how darkish it will get on the plate.
“That’s who he is,” supervisor Aaron Boone stated. “He’s just such a good player. It’s so valuable to have someone like that at the premier position out there. To have him play the way he does, it’s big.”
Friday evening was a major instance.
Volpe went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts — together with two punch-outs on a mixed six fastballs, all within the zone, in his first two at-bats — however was in the course of a couple of terrific performs within the discipline that preserved a 1-0 win over the Rays.
Since he arrived within the large leagues, the 23-year-old has typically been scorching or chilly with no in between on the plate, however his protection has remained persistently sharp all through.
“I always feel like you can impact the game any pitch, any play,” Volpe stated. “If you have one percentage of something taken away from what you can do for your teammates, then you’re not being the best teammate you can be. Obviously at the plate I want to do my best to help the team and then once that’s done, good or bad, I want to go onto the field and be ready for anything hit my way.”
The Yankees are nonetheless ready on Volpe to seek out extra consistency offensively. He began the season by crushing 4 residence runs in his first 5 video games and was batting 11-for-37 (.297) with a 1.069 OPS, 9 strikeouts and three walks by 9 video games.
In 12 video games since, although, Volpe has been caught in a 4-for-39 (.103) stretch with 17 strikeouts and 7 walks.
He went 1-for-5 with two punchouts Saturday however was additionally robbed of a single by second baseman Brandon Lowe.
“I’m just missing pitches,” Volpe stated. “Keep working, keeping staying to myself and when I get them in the zone and get into damage counts, I feel like I’ll be in a good spot.”
Boone stated he felt like Volpe had nonetheless been having good at-bats and hitting the ball exhausting earlier than Friday evening, when the Rays attacked him with fastballs up within the zone.
Within the meantime, his protection stays top-tier.
Volpe’s finest play Friday evening got here on Curtis Mead’s chopper within the gap, which he ranged and stretched out to snag earlier than throwing throughout his physique to first base, the place Paul Goldschmidt picked it for the out. The play drew a “wow” from Carlos Rodón on the mound.
“That’s as good as it gets right there,” Boone stated.
“That one was just reaction, but we practice those a lot,” Volpe stated. “[Infield coach Travis Chapman] pushes us pretty good. You want plays like that in the game because we practice them a lot.”
Volpe was additionally grateful to have Goldschmidt on the opposite finish of that throw to ensure the play didn’t go for naught.
“I’ve been spoiled, having [Anthony Rizzo] and Goldy play first for me,” Volpe stated. “It’s the worst feeling in the world, knowing that the ball’s going to be in the dirt when it’s on the way. But once they pick it, you feel really good about it and you thank them.”
“They work really hard and I try to work really hard to make their lives really boring and not have to do that stuff. It’s a nice safety net, one I never want to use, but it comes in handy on those difference-maker range plays.”
Later within the evening, Volpe was in the course of an ideal relay to nab a runner at third.
He acquired the throw from heart fielder Trent Grisham and rapidly fired a bullet to Oswaldo Cabrera at third for the out, which loomed giant in a 1-0 recreation.
“We work really, really hard on the plays on the physical side, but I think the communication has been great,” Volpe stated. “Guys are feeding off each other and just want to back up the pitchers. It’s kind of a contagious feeling on defense that once the ball is put in play, it’s going to be an out.”
