Yankees cast Anthony Volpe as Jeter’s successor — but it’s turning Joey Gallo 2.0

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Anthony Volpe arrived in the Bronx carrying Derek Jeter comparisons and franchise expectations. The hometown hero was positioned as the Yankees’ next cornerstone player.

Instead, his recent struggles mirror a different Yankees memory. Volpe’s mounting errors and offensive slumps increasingly resemble Joey Gallo‘s turbulent tenure in pinstripes.

The promising shortstop finds himself under intense scrutiny as the Yankees stumble through another devastating losing streak. His Wednesday night error proved costly in a sixth consecutive defeat.

“Anthony Volpe has been a bust, I don’t know why everyone is afraid to say it,” said WFAN host Sal Licata claimed. “Why? Is it because he’s a local kid? Relative to the expectation, he’s a nice kid and he’s a great defensive player, so I understand that. Relative to the expectation he had coming up, he has been a massive bust. Like it’s become acceptable just because he’s become a serviceable shortstop?”

Critical mistake extends Yankees misery

Wednesday’s 3-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels showcased Volpe’s current struggles perfectly. The Yankees had finally ended their 30-inning scoreless drought thanks to Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Cody Bellinger.

The breakthrough couldn’t prevent another heartbreaking finish in their ongoing collapse. Volpe’s defensive miscue in the eighth inning allowed the winning run to score.

Fernando Cruz had loaded the bases with three consecutive walks. Tim Hill entered to face Jo Adell, who hit a routine double-play grounder toward Volpe.

The normally reliable shortstop bobbled the ball before unleashing a wild throw to second base. Los Angeles scored the go-ahead run on the error that should have ended the inning.

“I knew right off the bat I got to be aggressive, go get the ball, make the play,” Volpe said postgame. “As far as that, that’s all it is, it’s the first read off the bat.”

The error marked Volpe’s ninth of the season, ranking third-highest among MLB shortstops. His offensive struggles continued with a game-ending strikeout in the ninth inning.

Volpe extended his hitless streak to 0-for-17 with the final at-bat. The mounting pressure appears to be affecting every aspect of his game.

From prospect darling to struggling regular

Volpe’s meteoric rise through the Yankees system generated tremendous expectations from day one. The New Jersey native was drafted from Delbarton School in 2019 before rocketing up prospect rankings.

He earned the Opening Day shortstop role in 2023 as a rookie. His Gold Glove award that season reinforced beliefs about his defensive prowess and future potential.

The current performance tells a different story about the 24-year-old’s development. Volpe is batting .235 across 72 games with declining production during the team’s recent struggles.

His OPS has plummeted during the Yankees’ six-game losing streak. Over the last seven games, Volpe has managed just three hits in 26 at-bats for a .115 average.

Defensive miscues have mounted alongside his offensive struggles. Yankee Stadium fans booed loudly after his crucial eighth-inning error Wednesday night.

The online criticism has turned increasingly harsh, echoing the toxic atmosphere that surrounded Gallo during his failed Yankees stint.

Manager backs Volpe despite struggles

Aaron Boone defended his struggling shortstop following another disappointing loss. The Yankees skipper acknowledged the difficulty of the play while expressing continued confidence.

“It was hit sharp, obviously tailor-made,” Boone said. “Just didn’t handle the ball.”

The manager praised Volpe’s preparation and mindset throughout the slump. Teammates have also rallied around their young shortstop during this challenging period.

“I messed up and Timmy had my back,” Volpe said of the play. “He got out of it and we had opportunities to come through and win.”

Volpe attempts to maintain a positive outlook despite mounting criticism and pressure. His public comments suggest a determination to work through the current struggles.

“Every day is a new day and we’re not going to let what happened today affect us,” he said. “After it’s done, you take what you can from it, the good and the bad. Then tomorrow’s a new day. That’s the best part of the game.”

Yankees’ June struggle tradition

Volpe’s struggles represent just one component of the Yankees’ systemic offensive breakdown. Aaron Judge has managed only three hits in 28 at-bats during his own prolonged slump.

The Yankees captain is batting .107 since the Kansas City series while chasing pitches outside the strike zone. Judge struck out twice Wednesday, raising his total to 17 strikeouts over eight games.

“You hit two balls hard today and you don’t get rewarded for it,” Judge said. “I’ve got to show up tomorrow and do my job.”

New York’s power-heavy lineup features six players with double-digit home runs. Yet the team continues struggling to generate consistent run production.

The Yankees have scored just 13 runs during their last eight games. They went 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position Wednesday while leaving crucial opportunities uncashed.

The Yankees’ midseason collapse follows a disturbing pattern from recent years. They have posted a 32-34 record in June games dating back to 2023.

This contrasts sharply with their .562 winning percentage in all other months during that span. The current version feels more problematic due to heightened expectations.

Volpe was never intended to be a bottom-of-the-line contributor. The organization envisioned him as a transformative player capable of changing games.

Instead, the Yankees are questioning whether he’s regressing or simply revealing his true capabilities.

Uncomfortable parallels to previous disappointment

Volpe and Gallo represent different player archetypes with distinct skill sets and career trajectories. Yet their Yankees experiences share troubling similarities.

Both arrived with elite defensive reputations and immediate expectations for contribution. Both endured extended cold streaks featuring high strikeout totals and poor contact rates.

Fan frustration has targeted both players during their respective struggles in pinstripes. The pressure of playing in New York has seemingly affected their confidence and performance.

Volpe’s defenders emphasize his youth and development potential at age 24. Critics argue the Yankees misjudged his readiness for such a prominent role.

Baseball evaluators question whether Volpe’s bat can match his defensive tools at the major league level. Scouts suggest his approach at the plate lacks refinement, leading to poor pitch recognition and timing issues. While his overall skill set has value, concerns exist about his ability to be a cornerstone player.

Critical juncture approaching

New York trails Detroit by 4.5 games in the race for the American League’s best record. The margin for error continues diminishing with each additional loss.

Bigger organizational questions await if the current struggles persist. Lineup construction, coaching decisions, and Volpe’s long-term role all face scrutiny.

Volpe doesn’t need to replicate Derek Jeter’s Hall of Fame career to succeed in New York. However, he must avoid following Joey Gallo’s path to disappointment.

Current performance suggests he’s closer to the latter outcome than the former aspiration. The Yankees need their young shortstop to find answers quickly.

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