NEW YORK — Anthony Volpe’s name is now etched into the Yankees’ record books for reasons no player would want. The 24-year-old shortstop has posted the lowest on-base percentage by a non-pitcher in any 11-game span in franchise history, according to baseball statistician Katie Sharp.
Volpe’s .027 OBP across his last 11 games represents a new low point. In 38 plate appearances, he has produced just one hit with no walks, surpassing even the most notorious slumps in the Yankees’ long history.
Yankees demolish Nationals while Volpe struggles
The contrast within the Yankees lineup became clear during Wednesday’s 11-2 rout of the Washington Nationals. While the team scored at will, Volpe went 0-for-5, the only player in the starting lineup who failed to reach base during the offensive onslaught.
The stretch has pushed Volpe into historic futility. Since August 15, he is 1-for-37 with 14 strikeouts. His season batting average has dropped to .204, and his OPS now sits at .662.
“We’re all human,” manager Aaron Boone said, defending his shortstop despite growing frustration from fans.
Ugly record looms for embattled infielder
Volpe’s current slump puts him on the verge of another unwanted milestone. He is closing in on Jason Giambi’s infamous 2003 record of 1-for-38, the worst 11-game stretch in Yankees history. Giambi at least managed a home run during his slide. Volpe has not recorded an extra-base hit over this stretch.
The statistical breakdown illustrates the depth of the slump.
- 0-for-5 Wednesday
- 0-for-24 in recent games
- 1-for-37 since August 15
- 4-for-54 in extended sample
Sharp’s research also highlights historical parallels. In 1905, Dave Fultz posted a .031 OBP over 10 games, the worst stretch by a Yankees position player with qualifying plate appearances. Fultz retired after that season.
Manager maintains faith despite historic struggles
Even as Volpe sets negative records, Boone has doubled down on his support. Instead of benching the infielder, the manager pointed to mechanical issues.
“I think everyone from the Aaron Judges and the greatest superstars and me, and lesser than that — you go through it as hitters,” Boone said. “It’s hard. I don’t think he’s overly affected by that (booing). What I’m excited about is he continues to play really good defense, which has been a good month stretch of that now.”
“To me, it’s as simple as he’s not quite finishing his move to get him in that strong position where you make really good swing decisions.”
Boone praised Volpe’s glove work, though the shortstop leads American League shortstops with 17 errors this season.
Two-game reset fails to spark turnaround
Boone gave Volpe two days off over the weekend, inserting Jose Caballero at shortstop. Caballero, acquired from Tampa Bay at the deadline, has provided steady defense and consistent at-bats since joining the Yankees.
The reset appeared to have failed to give Volpe a spark. On Tuesday, he hit a ball 106 mph to the warning track and lined another at 103 mph. But the results did not follow. He finished 0-for-4 that night, then went 0-for-5 on Wednesday.
Fans at Yankee Stadium made their displeasure known, booing Volpe after he struck out to end the team’s nine-run third inning against Washington.
Veterans offer support amid public scrutiny
Yankees captain Aaron Judge spoke about handling boos and pressure.
“It’s about how you use it,” Judge said. “Are you gonna use it to crumble and in a negative way or just tell yourself you’ve got to play better?”
Giancarlo Stanton, who has weathered long slumps himself, described the mental grind. “The most frustrating part of when I’ve gone through tough times is the mental part,” Stanton said. “You think about it from when you wake up to when you go to sleep.”
Both stressed the importance of mental resilience and blocking out distractions.
Options emerge as deadline pressure mounts
For the first time this season, the Yankees have alternatives at shortstop. Caballero has hit .281/.385/.500 since arriving, with two homers and seven stolen bases. He has also impressed with his defense.
Prospect George Lombard Jr. also looms as a long-term option. The 20-year-old hit .329/.495/.488 at High-A before cooling off at Double-A Somerset, where he has batted .208 with a .669 OPS.
With just 29 games remaining, Volpe’s struggles have taken on urgency. Since the All-Star break, he is hitting .198 while his defensive metrics have slipped.
Team success masks individual struggles
The Yankees’ recent offensive surge has minimized the spotlight on Volpe’s struggles. They have managed to score without his contributions, showcasing both depth and resilience.
Still, Wednesday was telling. While the lineup exploded for 11 runs, Volpe endured another hitless night in front of frustrated fans.
A road trip to Chicago offers a chance to escape the Bronx boos. Facing the last-place White Sox may provide Volpe an opportunity to reset.
“He’s handling it as well as you can,” Stanton said. “He works as hard as anyone. We’re all supporting him.”
As the calendar turns to September, the Yankees must balance winning now with their commitment to Volpe’s development. His slump has already earned him a place in Yankees history — but for all the wrong reasons.
What do you think?
