New York Yankees fans desperately want the team to send down shortstop Anthony Volpe. Here are three replacement options if they do so, and why they’re not the right call.
The New York Yankees took an unconventional step this season, as they decided to call up one of their top prospects for Opening Day. During an open competition for the starting shortstop job this spring, Anthony Volpe impressed the team with his play on the field and his hitting abilities. That earned him the starting nod, becoming the first rookie shortstop to start on Opening Day since Derek Jeter.
As is the case with rookies playing in the big leagues in their first year, they will have struggles. Volpe was striking out a lot and having some errors at shortstop. Even though we’re in the month of Junes, Yankees fans have been calling for the team to send Volpe down. Owner Hal Steinbrenner said that the team has no plans on doing that, and will let Volpe work through it.
Yankees fans may not agree with Steinbrenner all of the time, but they should agree with this.
The Yankees coaching staff has been unable to figure out why Volpe was struggling in the batter’s box. But, former minor league teammate and Yankees top catching prospect Austin Wells brought it to his attention while hanging out over some chicken parmesan at Volpe’s place. Specifically, his batting stance. Again, the Yankees coaching staff couldn’t spot this — his former teammate currently playing in Double-A.
Volpe adjusted and has seen better results at the plate in the team’s two-game set against the New York Mets.
I do not advocate for the Yankees to send down Volpe so quickly because of his struggles. Now that he’s adjusted his batting stance, we’ll see if he beefs up his batting numbers.
But for those of you who want Volpe demoted, here are the three likely replacement options you will see.