Yankees rookie Anthony Volpe beat many top veterans in MLB to record an impressive and historic Gold Glove win on Sunday. However, the announcement by MLB stirred reactions among his detractors, who are still struggling to accept Anthony Violpe’s ability to beat the odds to become a hero in pinstripes. As a result, Yankees fans immediately jumped to counter such criticism on social media.
Anthony Volpe assumed the role of the Yankees‘ primary shortstop after the team refrained from signing any major league stars, opting to wait for their shortstop prospect to develop. While his rookie season suggested he is a work in progress, it showcased his potential to be among the best.
The 22-year-old infielder featured in 157 games, accumulating +16 defensive runs saved, ranking second among shortstops behind only Wander Franco. He also tied for sixth place with 1 Out Above Average. In this season, Anthony Volpe outperformed seasoned veterans such as Carlos Correa and Corey Seager to claim the award.
Detractors slam Anthony Volpe’s Gold Glove
His detractors cite how Anthony Volpe committed 17 errors in the field. Concerns about his throwing arm strength persisted throughout the season, with some crucial errors made during throws to first base. Only four other players recorded more errors than the rookie shortstop during the season.
Yankees fans jumped to defend Anthony Volpe
Yankees fans took to social media to defend Anthony Volpe, who showcased his defensive prowess by notching an impressive 186 putouts, 357 assists, and successfully executing 63 double plays during the season. When we compare these numbers to his competitors, Correa and Seager, it becomes clear that the Yankees’ rookie shortstop had a distinct advantage in terms of volume. Correa managed 166 putouts and 278 assists across 1,144 1/3 innings, while Seager accumulated 139 putouts and 276 assists in 951 2/3 innings.
Furthermore, Anthony Volpe’s superiority over his competition extended beyond traditional statistics, as demonstrated by advanced metrics, particularly the Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) category. With a remarkable 15 DRS, the Yankees’ rookie secured the second position among American League shortstops, trailing only the Rays’ Wander Franco, who held 16 DRS. In contrast, Seager’s DRS stood at 5, while Correa’s DRS was notably minus-2.
Anthony Volpe’s exceptional fielding skills were further highlighted by FanGraphs’ assessment, where he boasted a 4.4 Range Runs Above Average, leading the American League. Additionally, his 2.9 Ultimate Zone Rating ranked fourth in the American League.
Notably, FanGraphs attributed one Out Above Average (OAA) to Anthony Volpe, showcasing his defensive acumen, while Correa received a minus-1 OAA, and Seager trailed with a minus-2 OAA
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