Rookie Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe has been a great defensive addition to the infield since he was called up to the big-league squad to begin the 2023 season. It took him 22 games at one of the most challenging defensive positions at the pro level to commit his first error.
For what it’s worth, that puts him on pace for 7.4 errors in a 162-game sample size. Isaiah Kiner-Falefa committed 15 errors in 138 games at shortstop for the Yankees last year. The error got blown partially out of proportion because it extended an inning in which Clarke Schmidt’s pitching imploded. Schmidt gave up two home runs and handed the Toronto Blue Jays a lead they would not relinquish.
Looking at the error itself, though, it’s one you could write off as bad luck or a bad hop. Aaron Boone suggested postgame he thought the ball took a weird hop.
Volpe, though, is not taking that excuse.
“I don’t know, I don’t think good infielders get bad hops. So that’s on me,” was Volpe’s comment when asked about if the ball took a bad hop.
Anthony Volpe might be a rookie, but he’s got veteran interviewing chops
Anthony Volpe, in his heart of hearts, might believe that ball did take a strange hop that led to the error. Mentally, he might write it off that way so he can move on to the next one and keep up his strong play.
But this is New York, and you can’t get away with excuses like that while you’re playing in pinstripes. There are a few guys on the squad who are absolute gems when it comes to dealing with the press in New York. Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge are on that list. Might as well add Volpe now, too.
Volpe grew up a Yankee fan, so he knows the expectation and is applying this same perspective he likely took growing up as a fan to what he expects of himself. That’s great news for Yankees fans, who have truly been looking for inspiring play at short since The Captain himself left.
An unfortunate error, but a tremendous response from the 21-year-old. You’re gonna be just fine in the Bronx, Anthony.