Anthony Volpe’s 4-hit gem shines brightest in Yankees’ win over D-backs
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Inna Zeyger
- April 2, 2024
- 10:51 am
- No Comments
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Follow UsJust a day after being scratched from the Yankees’ lineup, stirring unease among the fanbase, Anthony Volpe roared back on Monday. His historic four-hit outburst proved instrumental in propelling the Bronx Bombers to their fifth consecutive victory to commence the season, a 5-2 triumph over the defending National League champion Diamondbacks before 38,608 onlookers at Chase Field.
Anthony Volpe, who dedicated his offseason to refining his swing mechanics, laser-focused on curtailing his lofty strikeout totals from his rookie campaign through a flatter bat path, was locked in at the dish. The blossoming star went a perfect 4-for-4, lashing a pair of doubles while scoring twice and driving in a run.
“He’s simply on another level now,” manager Aaron Boone gushed about his sophomore sensation.
Dynamic Anthony Volpe has been making an emphatic case for a spot atop the Yankees order. He followed up Sunday’s multi-hit outburst with another, collecting his third and fourth extra-base knocks over his last three games. The athletic shortstop has reached base a staggering 14 times in 18 plate appearances while leading the team in runs scored (5) through four contests.
Anthony Volpe’s incredible game featured one of the zaniest plays in recent memory. After scorching a single up the middle to stake New York to a 3-0 advantage in the third, the Yankees had runners at the corners with one out. Austin Wells lifted a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Alex Verdugo from third. Seeing an opportunity, Anthony Volpe took off for second as the throw came home. What seemed routine quickly devolved into mayhem against Lourdes Gurriel Jr’s arm. Gurriel’s wayward peg sailed all the way into the Yankee dugout, allowing Anthony Volpe to race to third. Ryne Nelson fired the ball back across the diamond, but his throw too was errant, skipping past the bag as he arrived in a cloud of dust.
Anthony Volpe attributes his success to his offseason dedication. He emphasized the refined swing mechanics he developed over the break, allowing him to better handle pitches of varying speeds and locations. The shortstop also spoke confidently about his approach at the plate, highlighting his ability to adapt and execute effectively throughout his at-bats.
“I just feel like I’m setting myself up to cover a lot of different pitches, different speeds, different locations,” the Baby Bomber said. “I can kind of match up. I have confidence that where I’m landing and where I’m getting to is going to help me back up my approach.”
Cautious Boone is bullish on Anthony Volpe
While Yankees manager Aaron Boone wisely cautions against drawing definitive conclusions from early-season results, he can’t hide his excitement about Anthony Volpe’s consistent quality at-bats.
Boone sees a clear transformation in Anthony Volpe, not just statistically, but also as a player. Sure, the numbers are impressive – 8 for 14 with 3 doubles, a home run, and 4 walks in just 4 games – but it’s the underlying approach that excites the manager.
“This is a different guy now,” Boone said. “I think it’s definitely the swing adjustments he’s made. Certainly the experience and his aptitude, baseball IQ. But swing-and-miss was an issue for him last year. As I’ve talked about since early in the spring, you can clearly see he’s worked hard to plug some holes that the league exposed a little bit at times last year.”
Anthony Volpe’s remarkable plate discipline is evident. As of Monday night, he had faced a staggering 87 pitches in 18 plate appearances, yet swung and missed only three times. This translates to a keen eye at the plate and a heightened ability to make consistent contact.
Boone credits this success to more than just raw talent. He acknowledges the adjustments Anthony Volpe made to his swing mechanics but also highlights the young player’s intelligence and baseball IQ. The sophomore Yankee, Boone notes, addressed concerns about his tendency to swing and miss too often in the past. The diligent work he put in during the offseason and spring training is clearly paying off, refining his skills and enhancing his discipline.
While Boone preaches the value of a long season, it’s clear he’s impressed with Anthony Volpe’s early-season growth and development.
Anthony Volpe steals limelight with plate discipline
While sustaining a rock-bottom swing-and-miss rate of 3.4% might be a tall order for an entire season, Anthony Volpe’s early performance indicates a significant improvement over his rookie year. Last season, his 12.5% whiff rate ranked him 32nd among 134 qualified major leaguers, contributing to a hefty total of 167 strikeouts in just 159 games played.
Anthony Volpe’s overall strikeout rate of 27.8% was also near the top for qualified hitters, hindering his on-base percentage, which settled at a modest .283.
However, the New York Yankees are confident that the soon-to-be 23-year-old can significantly improve his ability to reach base compared to his rookie year. His early season performance supports this optimism – Anthony Volpe has successfully reached base in 12 out of his 18 plate appearances thus far.
His close friend and teammate, catcher Austin Wells, attributes this progress to the dedication Anthony Volpe displayed during the offseason and spring training. Wells has witnessed firsthand the immediate impact of Volpe’s work ethic and adaptability, traits that Wells believes rank among the best in the league.
Anthony Volpe’s early season success suggests a newfound discipline at the plate. While it’s still early to declare a permanent transformation, the Yankees are encouraged by the significant improvement and believe it will lead to a more productive season for the young star.
The improved swing mechanics
Anthony Volpe’s impressive start to the season has included a notable improvement in his swing mechanics. However, manager Aaron Boone remained tight-lipped when asked why adjustments weren’t made earlier, suggesting a more nuanced rationale behind the decision to implement changes at this particular juncture.
While progress has been made, Anthony Volpe isn’t completely out of the woods health-wise. He battled stomach discomfort that forced him to miss Sunday’s game. Though feeling somewhat better on Monday, he acknowledged needing another good night’s sleep to fully recover and regain his strength.
Anthony Volpe’s teammate and close friend, Austin Wells, maintained a sense of humor regarding the illness, offering a knowing grin and a “no comment” when questioned about its severity. Volpe himself admitted, with a chuckle, to feeling “really bad” on Sunday, highlighting his desire for additional rest to regain full health and vitality.
Despite the health setback, Anthony Volpe’s early performance is a positive sign for the New York Yankees. The team is clearly encouraged by his improved swing mechanics and his determination to bounce back from the illness, demonstrating his resilience and commitment to success.
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