Yankees’ Anthony Volpe reaps dividends with measured playoff stance

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Anthony Volpe, the young shortstop for the New York Yankees, is handling his first postseason experience with a poise that belies his rookie status. Although his statistics from the American League Division Series against the Kansas City Royals—a .250 batting average with three singles in 12 at-bats—might not stand out, a closer look suggests Anthony Volpe has the potential for a strong showing in the upcoming American League Championship Series against the Cleveland Guardians.

His plate discipline was a highlight during the ALDS, where Anthony Volpe recorded four walks against just one strikeout. His contact quality also improved significantly, boasting an average exit velocity of 98.9 mph and a hard-hit rate of 72.7%. Notably, eight of his eleven batted balls registered over 95 mph off the bat, both metrics reflecting a considerable leap from his regular-season averages of 87.7 mph exit velocity and 35.4% hard-hit rate.

A pivotal moment came in Game 3 of the ALDS when Anthony Volpe recorded a fifth-inning single with an exit velocity of 108.6 mph, approaching his season high.

The 23-year-old shortstop expressed contentment with his current hitting approach, emphasizing his focus on making solid contact and driving the ball. Anthony Volpe acknowledged that luck plays a role in baseball but remains confident that sticking to his process will yield positive results over time.

“I want to hit the ball hard. I want to barrel the ball up,” he said on Sunday. “So when that’s happening, I feel like I’m in a good spot. But that’s baseball. You obviously want them to fall, especially this time of year. But I feel like if I stick with my process, stick with my plan — especially against those pitchers and the [pitches] this time of year — I feel like with the larger sample size, it will all work out.”

While much of Anthony Volpe’s contact during the ALDS went to the opposite field, the Yankees‘ coaching staff is not urging him to change his approach. They believe his current strategy is effective and that favorable results will follow as he continues to execute it.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised Anthony Volpe’s offensive performance, stating that the young player’s current form is among the best he has displayed this season. The skipper expressed complete confidence in the shortstop’s readiness for the challenges posed by the ALCS.

“I thought in these games and the week of preparation leading up, he’s looked as good as he has offensively at any time all year,” he told reporters. “So I will sign up for what he’s got going on right now.”

Anthony Volpe’s speed is up

Anthony Volpe and Yankees manager Boone both highlighted the advantages of the team’s first-round bye ahead of the American League Division Series. This break provided the Yankees’ hitters, including Anthony Volpe, with a chance to engage in focused and specialized training without the pressures of daily games.

The young shortstop explained how the team maximized this time, particularly through the use of advanced training equipment like the Trajekt machine at their New York facility. This technology enabled players to study the pitching styles and tendencies of their opponents. Anthony Volpe noted that this preparation significantly improved his pitch recognition and selectivity at the plate.

“You got to get in the cage. We’re obviously here [in New York], and we have the Trajekt machine, so we’ve been getting eyes on all the pitchers, stuff like that,” he told. “I think I’m just seeing the ball well and being able to swing at good pitches and lay off the tight ones.”

The benefits of this concentrated training period are reflected in Anthony Volpe’s performance metrics, particularly his bat speed. During the ALDS, his average bat speed rose to 72.6 mph, a notable increase from his regular-season average of 69.3 mph. This enhancement in bat speed underscores the positive impact of the extended preparation on the shortstop’s performance.

Anthony Volpe’s measured stance

In the American League Division Series against the Royals, Anthony Volpe showcased impressive plate discipline, significantly lowering his chase rate on pitches outside the strike zone. He swung at only three of the 40 pitches he faced in that area, resulting in a chase rate of 7.5%. This marks a significant drop from his 2024 season average of 29.3%. Additionally, he displayed greater selectivity with pitches inside the strike zone, suggesting a strategic effort to be more discerning in his choices.

Given the small sample size of a short playoff series, it’s important to consider the factors behind this improvement. A closer analysis of Anthony Volpe’s approach reveals a particular emphasis on pitch types. Throughout the regular season, he struggled to generate power against breaking balls and offspeed pitches. In response, he cut his swing rate against these pitches during the ALDS to just 18.2%, a sharp decline from 45.6% during the regular season. This adjustment plays to Anthony Volpe’s strengths, as he has typically performed better with fastballs.

This refined approach appears to be contributing to Anthony Volpe’s enhanced hard-hit rates and exit velocities in the postseason. His evolving plate discipline and pitch selection strategy may be crucial elements in his performance as the Yankees continue their playoff run.

As the team advances in the playoffs, both the organization and fans are eager to see if these positive trends in Anthony Volpe’s game will lead to tangible success. For the shortstop, who was just 8 years old when the Yankees last reached the World Series, this postseason is not only a personal milestone but also a chance to make his mark in the franchise’s rich playoff history.

Anthony Volpe, in his first postseason with the New York Yankees, offers a distinctive perspective as a lifelong fan of the team. He recognizes that the Yankees’ legacy is deeply rooted in winning, particularly World Series titles, a belief he held even before being selected as a first-round draft pick in 2019.

During the American League Division Series against the Kansas City Royals, Anthony Volpe’s performance stood out for the quality of his at-bats. Although his batting average was modest—3-for-12 with four walks—he consistently made solid contact, with several well-hit balls unfortunately resulting in outs. Volpe expressed his commitment to maintaining this approach as he heads into the American League Championship Series against the Cleveland Guardians.

The young shortstop conveyed optimism about the team’s current form, suggesting they are peaking at the right time. However, he also believes there is still room for growth, indicating that the team has yet to tap into its full potential as they continue through the postseason.

“I think we’re in a really good spot,” Anthony Volpe told, “But I think at the same time, I don’t think we have played our best baseball yet. … I think we’re hitting our stride at the right time.”

For Anthony Volpe, this playoff experience is the culmination of his hard work throughout the season and fulfills a lifelong dream. He emphasized the significance of competing at this level for the Yankees, aiming for a pennant victory.

Anthony Volpe’s promising start in the postseason is particularly encouraging after what he described as an inconsistent second year in the major leagues. His performance and mindset indicate that he is embracing the intensity of playoff baseball and the high expectations that come with wearing the Yankee pinstripes.

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