On Sunday night, Anthony Volpe beat many veterans to win the 2023 Gold Glove award for shortstops. While achieving this, the Yankees rookie surpassed renowned stars like Carlos Correa of the Twins and Corey Seager of the World Series champion Rangers.
This recognition provides validation for the Yankees‘ decision not to pursue these top-notch shortstops in free agency and instead patiently await Anthony Volpe’s anticipated arrival. Manager Aaron Boone, who consistently praised Volpe as a Gold Glove-caliber defender throughout the summer, can also take satisfaction in this achievement.
While Anthony Rizzo was among the three finalists for the Gold Glove Award at first base in the American League, he ultimately fell short to Nathaniel Lowe of the Rangers.
Anthony Volpe’s Gold Glove win sets a Yankees record
Anthony Volpe made history for the New York Yankees by being awarded the American League Gold Glove at shortstop in just his rookie season. The 22-year-old phenom became one of only 15 first-year MLB players to ever receive the prestigious fielding honor.
Becoming the first rookie in franchise history to achieve 20-plus home runs and 20-plus stolen bases is a remarkable accomplishment.
While Anthony Volpe experienced his fair share of offensive fluctuations – even though he became the first Yankees rookie to achieve a 20-20 season – his defensive performance remained notably consistent. Before the season, there were concerns about Anthony Volpe’s ability to maintain his position at shortstop over the long term. However, the 22-year-old demonstrated his capability during his first season, dispelling those doubts.
Youngest rookie shortstop ever to win a Gold Glove
At 22 years and 156 days old on the final day of the regular season, Anthony Volpe also set a new mark for the youngest shortstop to win a Gold Glove, surpassing the previous record holder, Alan Trammell in 1980 (22 years, 228 days).
His durability is remarkable, especially on a team known for resting players and dealing with injuries. Anthony Volpe participated in 157 games at shortstop, with only the Mets’ Francisco Lindor surpassing him in games played at shortstop in MLB this year.
First Yankee shortstop since 2010 to win a Gold Glove
He is the first Yankee shortstop since Derek Jeter to win a Gold Glove. Derek Jeter had it in 2010.
Despite Anthony Volpe’s 17 errors at shortstop in the 2023 season, a number exceeding that of all but four other players, his advanced metrics rank him among the elite. His 16 defensive runs saved was the second-highest in the American League.
The rookie beat big veterans
Anthony Volpe secured the AL award, surpassing veterans Corey Seager and Carlos Correa.
According to FanGraphs, Anthony Volpe ranked second among AL shortstops with 15 Defensive Runs Saved, and he was tied for sixth with one Out Above Average, according to Baseball Savant. Despite making 17 errors, his baseball instincts compensated for his lack of arm strength.
Beating out veteran finalists Carlos Correa of the Twins and Corey Seager of the Rangers, Anthony Volpe made another record in itself. He displayed his precocious defensive abilities. In 157 games (150 starts) at shortstop, Volpe played 1,346 2/3 innings in the field, handling 560 total chances while committing just 17 errors for a .970 fielding percentage. Compared to Correa and Seager, Volpe had a volume edge with 186 putouts and 357 assists. However, Correa and Seager edged Volpe in errors and fielding percentage over fewer innings.
When assessing his performance, the results were mixed. Concerns persisted about Volpe’s arm strength throughout the summer, and he made his fair share of errors. Many believe his future may lie at second base. However, he also compiled an impressive highlight reel at the shortstop position, effortlessly handling numerous challenging plays with his glove. He achieved this in his rookie season on the grandest stage, all while struggling to maintain consistent offensive production, demonstrating his determination and the hard work he invests behind the scenes.
Anthony Volpe recognizes the need for improvement. His .209 batting average, 167 strikeouts, and .666 OPS won’t meet the standards expected in pinstripes. In NJ Advance Media’s end-of-season report card, he received a consensus grade of C+. Volpe’s prolonged struggles at the plate were particularly noticeable on a team that had difficulties generating offense and scoring runs.
However, it’s important to acknowledge the glimpses of brilliance he displayed. Anthony Volpe must strive for greater consistency on both offense and defense, with a focus on improving his performance at the plate. A significant step forward in his development during his sophomore season would alleviate one of the Yankees’ concerns as they seek to recover from a disappointing campaign.
Yankees manager heaps praise on Anthony Volpe
Manager Aaron Boone expressed his belief that the player had a significant opportunity to win the Gold Glove. He emphasized that achieving this award at the shortstop position, which is considered a premium position in baseball, would be a significant accomplishment.
Boone shared his perspective on the player’s performance at shortstop, stating that he had been particularly impressed with how well the player handled the position. Boone admitted that he didn’t anticipate Anthony Volpe becoming this skilled at shortstop so quickly. He praised the player’s attention to detail, routine, and ability to execute nuanced aspects of the position. According to Boone, Anthony Volpe’s speed and controlled intensity have allowed him to excel at shortstop, showcasing excellent range and adept footwork that enable him to make challenging plays without relying solely on arm strength.
Anthony Volpe’s performance this season showcased his potential to be the Yankees’ shortstop of the future, even though he’s still a work in progress.
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