Anthony Volpe‘s 2025 season took another painful turn in the Yankees’ 4-1 series-ending loss to the Chicago Cubs on July 13, as the struggling shortstop committed two costly defensive errors that epitomized his regression from Gold Glove winner to defensive liability. The 23-year-old’s lapses in the seventh and eighth innings helped seal New York’s defeat and dropped the Yankees to 53-42, now trailing in the AL East by three games after once holding a seven-game divisional lead.
Volpe’s defensive miscues have become a troubling pattern for the Yankees, who entered 2025 with championship expectations as defending American League champions. His 11 errors lead all AL shortstops and represent a stark departure from his 2024 Gold Glove-winning performance, when he posted +14 Outs Above Average. This season, that number has plummeted to zero, ranking him 19th among 35 qualified shortstops.
Cubs capitalize on Volpe’s defensive struggles
The Cubs’ victory was built on capitalizing on Volpe’s defensive lapses in crucial moments. In the seventh inning, with Chicago leading 3-1, Pete Crow-Armstrong delivered an RBI infield single when Volpe’s throw to first base bounced, allowing Seiya Suzuki to score and extending the Cubs’ lead to 4-1.
The eighth inning brought more frustration for Yankees fans. With Dansby Swanson on first base and two outs, Matt Shaw hit an easy grounder directly to Volpe at shortstop. Instead of charging the ball aggressively, Volpe stayed back and waited, then made a soft toss to Jazz Chisholm Jr. at second base. Swanson beat the throw to second base, with the call initially ruled out but overturned on replay review, extending the inning.
Earlier in the game, Volpe had already shown concerning signs with a lazy throw to first base in the second inning. After Jazz Chisholm Jr. fielded a ground ball for what should have been a routine double play, Volpe “floated” a 62-mph throw to first base – far below his capability – allowing Nico Hoerner to reach safely and preventing the double play.
Boone acknowledges growing concerns
Manager Aaron Boone has tried to balance support for his young shortstop with acknowledgment of the obvious struggles. “He’s going through it a little bit right now. He’s got to keep working on it,” Boone said after recently pinch-hitting for Volpe in a crucial ninth-inning situation against the Mets, marking what many considered a rock-bottom moment for the former top prospect.
When asked about Volpe’s recent defensive miscues, Boone has been diplomatic but direct.
“It was hit sharp, obviously tailor-made. Looked like it hopped up a little bit, I haven’t watched the replay of it yet. Just didn’t handle the ball,” Boone said after a costly error against the Angels in June.
The manager’s patience appears to be wearing thin, as evidenced by his recent assessment that Volpe provides “one or two” decent swings per game, calling his recent results “a mixed bag.”
Player maintains accountability amid struggles
Despite the mounting pressure, Volpe has maintained accountability for his performance.
“Everyone holds themselves to really high standards. We’re not getting the job done,” he said after his error against the Angels. “We’re going to keep working and holding each other to that; I hold myself to that. We’re just not performing and not doing the types of things we can control. We can be better.”
The shortstop acknowledged his timing issues at the plate, saying, “I think it’s just timing. When you’re not on your timing, you feel late or quick, and a lot is gonna break down.” He emphasized his work ethic, adding, “I’ve been grinding, for sure.”
When asked about his defensive approach, Volpe remained confident: “I feel like I put myself in very good positions for a lot of plays. And I think you look at a case-by-case basis. There’s obviously a lot of plays you want to have back, and then there’s some plays that you’re going to be aggressive.”
Offensive struggles compound defensive issues
Volpe’s defensive regression has been compounded by continued offensive struggles. He’s batting just .214 with a .280 on-base percentage through 95 games, with 91 strikeouts against only 34 walks. His recent performance included an 11-for-77 stretch with just three extra-base hits over 22 games.
The numbers represent a significant decline from his strong 2024 postseason performance (.287 average, .815 OPS) that raised expectations entering this season. Advanced metrics suggest some bad luck, with his expected weighted on-base average (.311) exceeding his actual performance (.296), but the results have been consistently poor.
Yankees’ championship hopes hang in balance
The Yankees’ struggles extend beyond Volpe’s individual performance. The team has experienced two six-game losing streaks in 2025 – the first time since 2000 – and recently fell from a commanding division lead to trailing the surging Toronto Blue Jays.
The Yankees’ 13-18 record since May 28 reflects broader issues with a team that entered with championship aspirations after losing Juan Soto to the Mets but adding Max Fried, Devin Williams, and Cody Bellinger. Their significant home-road split (.638 at home, .489 on the road) suggests systemic problems that go beyond any single player.
Historical context provides perspective
Yankees insider Bryan Hoch previously compared Volpe to Derek Jeter, noting similarities in their New Jersey roots and Yankees fandom. However, Volpe has become the 19th player to start at shortstop for the Yankees since Jeter’s retirement, highlighting the difficulty of filling that position.
Expert analysis suggests Volpe’s struggles align with typical rookie adjustment patterns, with only 23% of rookies performing 10% better than league average in their first season. The Yankees organization maintains a long-term view despite fan frustration, with General Manager Brian Cashman continuing to offer unwavering support.
As the trade deadline approaches, the Yankees face critical decisions about their championship aspirations. For Volpe, the challenge remains proving he can be part of the solution rather than a contributing factor to the team’s unexpected struggles in what was supposed to be a championship season.
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