In the grand tradition of the New York Yankees, the search for the next great shortstop is akin to a pilgrimage. Enter Anthony Volpe: a 23-year-old hometown kid, hyped as the second coming of Derek Jeter. The expectations were as enormous as the pinstripes he donned, and his debut season gave the Yankees a reason to believe in a golden future. A Gold Glove winner in his rookie year at the most critical defensive position, Volpe was seen as a cornerstone. But the shine has dulled somewhat—specifically, when it comes to his bat. The debate now isn’t about his glove—it’s about whether his defense can justify his middling offense. Yankees fans are split, and the divide couldn’t be more pronounced.
Tiny glimpses of greatness, much bigger glaring holes for Anthony Volpe
Anthony Volpe isn’t a complete failure offensively. In fact, there have been moments where he’s looked like he could be a solid contributor at the plate. But glimpses don’t get you to October (even though the Yankees will go to October in 2024), and consistency has been the major thorn in his young career. After a 2023 campaign where he slashed a meager .209/.283/.666 but managed to belt 21 home runs and swipe 24 bags, the promise was still there. His glove kept him afloat, and his base running was a significant asset in an otherwise power-heavy lineup.
Fast forward to 2024, and the narrative remains much the same. He’s improved in some areas—batting .248 with a slightly better OBP of .296—but his power has all but evaporated. His 11 home runs are a far cry from the 21 he posted last year, and while his defense remains elite, the offensive side has left fans scratching their heads. How does a guy who fought off Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Oswald Peraza for the starting shortstop job—largely because he was seen as the better bat—end up in this position?
Fans took to the internet to voice their concerns, frustrations, and unwavering support. Anthony Volpe has become the perfect microcosm of the 2024 Yankees—brilliant in some facets, but maddeningly inconsistent.
Yankees fans divided over Anthony Volpe’s value
The discussion around Anthony Volpe is as fiery as any in recent Yankees memory, with fans battling over whether his defensive prowess makes up for his offensive shortcomings. As Yankees Pirate (@GL2411) bluntly put it, “He’s been a great defensive SS but the OF disappointment is real, and is magnified by how over-hyped he was as a prospect. That’s not his fault, but it’s hard to ignore all the moves that weren’t made because he was ‘untouchable.'”
Many fans are struggling to reconcile the hype with the reality. Anthony Volpe was marketed as the next Jeter—a bat-first shortstop who could provide decent defense and potentially lead the Yankees back to championship glory. Instead, what they’ve seen is a defensive wizard with a bat that sometimes disappears. “He’s a black hole in the lineup,” tweeted Zach Mitchell (@therealzachm). “There are plenty of gold glove SS’s who can hit they can trade for.”
For some, the solution is simple: move on. Oswaldo Cabrera has been floated as a viable replacement at shortstop. “Waldo can do that too, make the switch,” Adam Scott Curatolo (@PureGuts) tweeted, echoing the frustration of fans who believe Volpe’s offensive woes are holding the Yankees back. But others are more optimistic about Anthony Volpe’s future.
“He’s a good player, man,” argued Jeremiah Gallagher (@j_miahgallagher).
“Of course we want him to be Jeter and hit .300 and steal a ton of bases, but dude is still incredibly young, and he’ll continue to improve. Meanwhile, the defense is just phenomenal, and we really, really need his defense on that infield.” Gallagher’s view is shared by many who believe Anthony Volpe’s glove is irreplaceable, and that given more time, his bat will come around.
Is defense enough in the Bronx?
The crux of the debate is this: Can Anthony Volpe’s glove alone justify his place in the Yankees lineup?
There’s no denying his defense is elite, but at what point does his bat become too big of a liability to ignore? As @UpToTheMinuteFF summed it up: “He’s been terrible hitting but he’s still been overall a positive. Don’t really think anyone else on the team can play SS other than Peraza.”
But even the optimists have their limits. Nikolas Hoffman (@nikhoffman48) pointed out that Volpe’s future hinges on his bat: “As long as he keeps his defense up he only needs to be a 110-115 OPS+ player. I believe he can get there, but if we are in the same boat at this time next year they may have to start looking elsewhere.” The clock is ticking for Anthony Volpe, and even his most ardent supporters are acknowledging that 2024 may be his last chance to prove he belongs in the Yankees’ long-term plans.
The errors don’t help either. As @TheKingSource pointed out, “NICE TRY… MOST. ERRORS. EVER. BY. A. GOLD. GLOVE. WINNER. Any SS makes that play!” While the defensive metrics support Anthony Volpe’s brilliance, there have been enough moments to fuel the skeptics.
Still, the argument that defense is what truly matters at shortstop is alive and well. “If you have to go defense first at a position SS and Catcher are the positions to do it at,” commented @The_Dude_46. “Even with his struggles he still helps the team in some ways.” That sentiment rings true for many. As much as Yankees fans are conditioned to expect offensive fireworks from every position, there’s a growing appreciation for the value of an elite defender in a crucial spot.
The verdict
Ultimately, Anthony Volpe’s story is still being written, and the divide among Yankees fans reflects the larger uncertainty about his future. At 23, he has time to figure things out. The defensive prowess is undeniable, and the Gold Glove is a testament to his ability in the field. But the Yankees didn’t pass on big-name free agents and deem Volpe “untouchable” because they thought he’d be a glove-only player. They believed in his bat.
As @theerrantpanda99 noted, “If he only turns into an average hitter, it’s a disaster for the Yankees’ reputation for player development. He was a bat-first prospect. His offensive value made him a top 5 prospect coming up. There’s no excuse for his offense to be this bad.”
The 2024 season will end with more questions than answers for Volpe. He’s still young, still learning, and still battling at-bats in the toughest market in baseball. Whether he can be the next Jeter, or simply an elite glove at shortstop, remains to be seen. One thing is for sure: Yankees fans will be watching—and debating—every step of the way.
Personally speaking, Anthony Volpe is one player whose performance makes me genuinely happy. Every time he proves someone wrong, or just does well for himself, it feels like a win. There’s something incredibly satisfying about a guy who battles a mountain of criticism but stays the course, works hard, stands tall through it all, and knows what it means to be in New York – loves the pinstripes. Volpe is that guy—a relentless worker and, by all accounts, a standup individual.
That being said, I can’t ignore the possibility of alternatives. Oswaldo Cabrera, for example, is one of the best utility players in the game. He has a solid glove, manages to get on base, and runs the bases well. Cabrera could easily step into the shortstop or third base role if the need arises. Jazz Chisholm Jr. could also be shifted to shortstop, a position he’s familiar with, while Cabrera holds down third.
I still believe Volpe is a winning player. The Yankees, who have been performing well this season, have no immediate reason to make changes. But it’s never wrong to consider other possibilities, especially with the versatility that Cabrera and Jazz bring to the table. They can play almost anywhere, and that flexibility is something the Yankees should always keep in mind.
In the end, whether Volpe stays the course or not, his journey will be one to watch—and for fans like me, every step forward will be a reason to celebrate.
