Anthony Volpe continued his impressive performance by hitting another home run on Wednesday. In his last eight games, he has amassed a remarkable 15 hits in 30 at-bats, with four of those hits resulting in extra bases.
The Yankees‘ decision to stand by the rookie can be attributed, in part, to his consistent performance and unwavering dedication. Yankees manager Aaron Boone mentioned that he hasn’t observed any notable differences in the young shortstop, despite his recent success, when compared to the well-documented challenges he faced earlier in the season.
He expressed that the consistency of Volpe as an individual was a significant factor in instilling confidence that he would bounce back from his slump.
The Yankees’ vision for Volpe as the starting player since spring training is now coming to fruition.
Boone expressed that when making the decision to appoint Volpe as the starter, one of the key factors they considered was their confidence in his talent and capability to perform at a high level. Additionally, they believed that Volpe possessed the necessary qualities to handle any challenges that may arise during his tenure.
Observing Volpe’s ability to make real-time adjustments has been an enjoyable experience, according to Boone. He emphasized the importance of adapting on the go and praised Volpe for his exceptional performance in this regard over the past few weeks.
Rizzo faces the most frustrating period of his career
Anthony Rizzo is currently experiencing an untimely period of reduced power output. The Yankees first baseman is struggling to find his power at the plate since his impressive back-to-back home run streak on May 23-24 in Cincinnati. In the Yankees’ 6-3 loss to the Orioles on Wednesday in The Bronx, Rizzo was unable to secure a hit while occupying the leadoff spot.
Rizzo expressed his frustration with being mechanically off at the plate, describing it as an unpleasant experience. He acknowledged the struggle of trying to regain the proper mechanics and noted that it eventually returns through persistent effort and adjustments in his swing.
Rizzo shared the sentiment that one’s desire is to contribute to the team’s success, and when that doesn’t happen, it becomes a source of frustration.
Manager Aaron Boone expressed his belief that Rizzo’s diminished power output could be attributed to the neck injury he sustained earlier in the season. However, Rizzo held a differing opinion and did not agree with Boone’s assessment of the situation.
Rizzo responded by stating that he does not believe there are any lingering effects from his previous injury. He acknowledged his personal frustration with not performing up to his own standards, recognizing that such challenges are a natural part of being a professional baseball player.
The statement suggests that when faced with difficult circumstances, one’s character and true nature are revealed. It implies that how individuals respond and handle challenges speaks volumes about their character.
With Aaron Judge sidelined due to injury and Giancarlo Stanton experiencing a slump, the Yankees are currently not receiving their usual level of production from their power hitters. However, Josh Donaldson provided a bright spot by hitting another home run in Wednesday’s game.
Boone emphasized the team’s need for a stronger contribution from Rizzo.
Boone acknowledged that Rizzo has not been able to showcase his power by hitting home runs, which is an integral part of his playing style. However, Boone expressed some optimism, noting that Rizzo has shown improvement in getting on base. Nonetheless, Boone emphasized the importance of supporting Rizzo in generating more opportunities to contribute and score runs.
It was emphasized that Rizzo possesses significant importance in the lineup and the team aims to restore him to his full potential as a formidable force in the middle of the batting order.
LeMahieu struggling to save his Yankees career
DJ LeMahieu continues his efforts to rediscover his rhythm and regain his optimal swing. Boone noted that there has been a noticeable improvement in LeMahieu’s performance at Yankee Stadium.
Despite his efforts, LeMahieu has struggled to achieve favorable results, leading to a decline in his season statistics. After going 0-for-3 with a walk on Wednesday, his batting average dropped to a season-low .219, accompanied by a .645 OPS.
Boone expressed his belief that LeMahieu has encountered challenging matchups against right-handed pitchers, which may have contributed to his recent struggles.
Boone mentioned that the team is actively working on identifying certain mechanical aspects in LeMahieu’s swing that may require adjustments.
After spending a significant portion of the previous week batting leadoff, LeMahieu was moved down in the lineup and placed in the sixth batting position.
LeMahieu’s capacity to reach base, which has been a notable strength throughout his tenure with the Yankees, has been significantly affected due to a decrease in both his walks and hits.
His current on-base percentage of .287 represents a significant deviation from his career averages, standing as the lowest mark he has recorded thus far.
Harrison Bader did not start in the lineup following being hit by a pitch on his right hand during Tuesday’s game, although he managed to complete the game. According to Boone, Bader was experiencing some soreness but was reassured that his hand was not significantly affected.
Boone mentioned that he had plans to give Bader a day off during the homestand, and the incident of being hit by a pitch further solidified the decision to grant him some rest.
Following a period of diminished offensive performance, Billy McKinney‘s availability was limited due to a recent toe injury caused by fouling a ball off his foot. Boone stated that McKinney would only be utilized in an “emergency” situation.
Despite his recent challenges, McKinney had been a source of unexpected outfield production for the Yankees throughout much of June. In the eighth inning, he was called upon as a pinch-hitter for Kyle Higashioka and successfully ended his 0-for-14 slump by delivering an infield single.
Willie Calhoun, another outfielder known for his proficiency against left-handed pitching, had received significant playing time in the Yankees’ outfield due to the team’s injury concerns. However, he had been sidelined since June 22 due to a strained left quad. Encouragingly, Calhoun has been gradually increasing his participation in baseball-related activities in recent days.
Boone indicated that there is currently no specific timeline for Calhoun’s return, mentioning that it is unlikely to happen before the All-Star break.
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