It’s getting tougher for the New York Yankees to trade Anthony Volpe because of how well he is playing.
Luis Castillo isn’t pitching for the New York Yankees this year because of one player. It’s all Anthony Volpe’s fault.
Well, not exactly. It’s to his credit that the Yankees are feeling confident in their future at shortstop. The best prospect they have according to practically anywhere you would check, his recent stretch on the farm will make it even tougher for Brian Cashman to deal him away for anything short of a superstar.
Anthony Volpe's last 55 G; .304/.389/.561, 11 HR, 22 2B, 23 SB, 155 wRC+... just 34 Ks (13 % K rate) ... Barring a trade for Ohtani or Soto (the only two players on the markets I think the Yankees would move him for), I expect Volpe to be heading for Scranton very soon
— Dan Kelly (@Dan_KellyPSA) July 30, 2022
Yankees are standing their ground by not trading Anthony Volpe
The pressure is on for Volpe to live up to the hype. The Yankees were unwilling to sacrifice his potential to the Cincinnati Reds for Castillo. They will probably be hesitant to do the same in a trade for anyone else this summer.
Volpe’s mix of power, speed, and simply making contact at a regular rate by putting the ball in play is extremely promising for what’s next. His rise through the Yankees farm system has been watched closely since the team first drafted him back in 2019. He started off slowly in those first 150 plate appearances immediately after signing. When minor league play returned in 2021, Volpe vaulted up the rankings and his .294/.423/.604 slash line with 27 home runs, 86 RBI, and 33 stolen bases made him an immediate future star.
But like with all prospects, there are always questions. Can he continue to hit at this level with each advancement he makes through the system?
Following a slow start in Double-A in 2022 with the Somerset Patriots, Volpe is now batting .253/.350/.473 on the year. With that recent hot stretch included, he now has 25 doubles, 15 home runs, 49 RBI, and 37 stolen bases. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him move up a level very soon and see the numbers decline before he figures Triple-A out by this time next season.
Every tool the Yankees could want from him exists. He can run. He can hit for power. Volpe can even draw walks. Cashman has held out this long in trading him. With Volpe continuing to rake, no one should expect him to change his mind.