Yankees’ Anthony Volpe poised for a career-defining year—Will he swim or sink?

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The Yankees’ infield grass at George M. Steinbrenner Field barely shows footprints where Anthony Volpe patrols shortstop during spring training drills, his movements so precise and efficient that he seems to float above the turf rather than run across it.

Entering his third full major league season, the 24-year-old New Jersey native has solidified his reputation as one of baseball’s premier defensive shortstops. What remains uncertain, however, is whether Volpe’s bat will ever catch up to his glove.

During morning workouts, he has concentrated heavily on his offensive approach while maintaining the defensive excellence that has become his calling card.

The Yankees are banking on that development happening sooner rather than later, as 2025 represents a pivotal year in Volpe’s young career.

Volpe’s defensive brilliance already established

Volpe silenced early skeptics about his defensive capabilities by capturing his first Gold Glove Award in 2024, becoming the Yankees’ first Gold Glove shortstop since Derek Jeter won his fifth and final award in 2010.

His defensive metrics tell the story of an elite fielder. Volpe ranked eighth among MLB shortstops with 19 non-routine plays converted and posted impressive numbers in both defensive runs saved and outs above average, establishing himself among the game’s elite defenders at the position.

This stellar glove work has afforded him patience from the organization regarding his offensive development. But that patience may be wearing thin as the Yankees’ championship window with their current core remains open.

Postseason glimpse offers hope

What makes Volpe’s offensive struggles particularly perplexing is his dramatic transformation during the 2024 postseason. After a regular season of mediocre production, the Yankees shortstop suddenly emerged as a significant offensive contributor when the stakes were highest.

In 14 playoff games, he slashed an impressive .286/.407/.815 while showing dramatically improved power metrics. His hard-hit percentage jumped to 52.9% and his average exit velocity climbed to 95 mph, both representing major improvements over his regular season performance.

The stark contrast between his regular season and postseason performance has created both optimism and frustration within the Yankees organization. If the October version of Volpe can be unlocked for an entire season, the Yankees may have the star they envisioned when they made him their shortstop of the future.

The numbers don’t lie

The statistics paint a clear picture of Volpe’s struggles at the plate. Before his postseason surge, his hard-hit percentage remained below 38% every month of the 2024 season, and he ranked near the bottom of qualified shortstops in exit velocity and expected slugging percentage.

Perhaps most concerning was Volpe’s inability to adjust to pitchers within games. His .259 on-base percentage in third at-bats against starting pitchers fell significantly below the .337 league average, suggesting opposing hurlers were making effective mid-game adjustments that Volpe couldn’t counter.

For the Yankees, who passed on several high-profile free agent shortstops to commit to Volpe, these struggles raise questions about their long-term planning at the position.

Projections forecast improvement

Multiple projection systems for 2025 forecast incremental improvement from Volpe rather than a breakout season. Across four major projection systems, the Yankees shortstop is expected to hit approximately .240 with an on-base percentage around .300, slugging percentage near .390, and 15-17 home runs.

While these numbers would represent progress, they still place him below league average offensively for his position. The projections do, however, acknowledge his speed and baserunning value, with forecasts of 25-27 stolen bases.

Yankees management has made it clear through their offseason moves and spring training focus that they’re looking for Volpe to take meaningful steps forward this season. While his defense remains Gold Glove-caliber, the organization needs more consistency from him in the batter’s box.

Defensive partnership could spark big jump

One potential catalyst for Volpe’s development is his growing chemistry with new double-play partner Jazz Chisholm Jr., acquired from Miami during the offseason. The dynamic Chisholm brings energy and athleticism that appears to have energized Volpe during spring workouts.

The pair has already turned several highlight-reel double plays during early exhibition games, suggesting the Yankees’ middle infield defense could become one of baseball’s best.

The early signs suggest that Volpe and Chisholm have quickly developed chemistry on the field, turning several impressive double plays during exhibition games that hint at what could become one of baseball’s premier middle infield combinations.

The verdict: 2025 as defining season

For Volpe, the upcoming season represents a potential crossroads. If he can translate his postseason success into regular-season production while maintaining his defensive excellence, the Yankees will have their shortstop question answered for years to come.

If offensive struggles persist, however, the organization may need to reevaluate their commitment to Volpe as their everyday shortstop, particularly with several promising infield prospects advancing through their farm system.

The Yankees have demonstrated patience with Volpe through his developmental process, but with championship expectations and an aging core of stars, that patience has its limits. The 2025 season may well determine whether the Yankees shortstop becomes a cornerstone player or if his defensive prowess alone isn’t enough to secure his long-term role.

As the Yankees prepare for their March 27 season opener against Milwaukee, all eyes will be on Volpe to see which version shows up: the defensive wizard with a questionable bat or the complete player who tantalized fans with his October performance.

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