CHICAGO — Anthony Volpe delivered his best night in weeks, going 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs to help lead the New York Yankees to a 10-2 win over the Chicago White Sox on Friday at Guaranteed Rate Field.
The breakthrough performance came just 24 hours after manager Aaron Boone forcefully defended his shortstop from suggestions of a demotion to Triple-A. Volpe’s two-run homer in the seventh inning ended his drought without a long ball since August 12, easing some of the frustrations that had followed his recent slump.
Volpe breaks through after extended slump
The 24-year-old entered the series trapped in a 1-for-37 skid, a stretch that had drawn heavy criticism and boos from the Yankee Stadium crowd. His numbers before Friday reflected the struggles: a .207 average with a .271 on-base percentage.
Thursday’s 10-4 win over the White Sox had already shown signs of a turnaround for Volpe. He went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored, ending one of the worst stretches in modern Yankees history. Volpe reached base on an error in the second inning Thursday, stole his first bag since August 6, then doubled in the fourth and singled in the sixth.
Anthony Volpe opened the scoring Friday with an RBI single in the sixth, then followed with a 406-foot drive in the seventh for his 19th homer of the year. The two-hit night pushed New York’s lead to 10-1 and gave the shortstop back-to-back multi-hit games for the first time since July.
“Hopefully something to get him going,” Boone said before the game. “We need to get him going. Obviously, he’s such an important part of what we do, so hopefully this is something he can build on.”
Including his two-hit night on Thursday, Volpe has gone 4-for-7 with four RBIs across the last two games.
Manager’s fiery defense pays dividends
Boone’s firm defense of Volpe arrived when reporters pressed him on whether a demotion might be necessary. The manager lashed out in his response.
“What planet does that guy get sent down that’s a shortstop? I don’t know that planet,” Boone told The Athletic.
He highlighted Volpe’s value as “a frontline defensive player at a premium position that is offensively somewhat productive,” even while the offense lagged.
Boone had given Volpe two days off earlier in the week to “reset,” not as a punishment. Since returning to the lineup Thursday, the shortstop has responded with consistent at-bats and run production.
Defensive concerns remain for Volpe
Even with his bat warming up, Volpe’s defensive play remains a concern. He committed his 18th error of the season Thursday, the second-most in the majors behind Cincinnati’s Elly De La Cruz.
That mistake led to four unearned runs against rookie starter Will Warren in the series opener. However, Volpe rebounded with strong plays later in the game, showing the resilience that Boone often praises.
His 18 errors already eclipse the total from his Gold Glove-winning rookie campaign in 2023.
Season statistics show mixed results
Volpe’s 2025 season continues to be a mix of promise and struggle. He has 19 home runs, 69 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases in 526 plate appearances, a reflection of his all-around ability.
Yet his .209/.273/.404 slash line highlights ongoing challenges at the plate, ranking him among the weaker qualified hitters in the league. Defensively, advanced metrics have dipped significantly compared with his rookie year, though he still flashes highlight-reel plays at shortstop.
The Yankees have shown no sign of losing faith in him, betting that his long-term potential outweighs the immediate inconsistencies.
Yankees offense continues hot streak
The 10-run outburst was the Yankees’ third consecutive double-digit scoring effort. They have now scored 10 or more runs 22 times this season, the most in Major League Baseball.
Alongside Grisham’s grand slam, Jazz Chisholm Jr. stole his 25th base, joining an exclusive group by becoming just the seventh Yankee with a 25-homer, 25-steal season. Austin Wells also chipped in two hits, helping the Yankees outhit Chicago 12-7 despite striking out 14 times.
New York has now won 13 of its last 17 games, an encouraging run at a critical point in the playoff chase.
Yankees hope for sustained improvement
In 132 games this year, Volpe is hitting .209 with 19 home runs and 69 RBIs. While those numbers mark a step back from his rookie campaign, his defensive presence at shortstop and his ability to produce key hits keep him in the lineup.
With roughly 30 games left in the regular season, his resurgence could prove pivotal. Boone’s unwavering public support signals the Yankees’ commitment to riding through the bumps with their young cornerstone.
For now, Volpe’s bat is showing life at the exact time New York needs contributions to secure October baseball. Whether it lasts may help determine both his personal success and the Yankees’ postseason hopes.
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