NEW YORK — The baseball world can be full of twists. Just hours after Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller labeled Anthony Volpe the Yankees’ worst player in 2025, the shortstop played a crucial role in one of the club’s most dramatic victories of the season.
Volpe began the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night with a single, later coming around to score on a wild pitch. His run tied the game and set the stage for José Caballero’s walk-off hit that sealed a 3-2 win and clinched a playoff berth for New York.
For a player who has spent much of the season under heavy scrutiny, the timing could not have been more fitting.
Miller’s harsh assessment draws attention
Miller’s September 23 evaluation was direct and unforgiving. “For much of the season, Devin Williams would have been the obvious pick here. But with 11 fielding errors and a .169/.224/.352 triple-slash while the Yankees went 27-35 from mid-June through late-August, Anthony Volpe gradually became the primary target for the rage of Yankees fans—aside from Aaron Boone and Brian Cashman, of course,” Miller wrote.
The numbers have indeed been brutal. Volpe is hitting just .211, the lowest mark of his career, and his .670 OPS is the weakest among Yankees players who have appeared in at least 100 games in 2025.
But Tuesday night’s playoff-clinching moment provided a counterpoint to the season-long criticism.
Defense becomes a major concern
Volpe’s struggles have not been limited to the plate. His defense, once considered his strongest attribute, has faltered badly. After producing +15 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and +1 Outs Above Average (OAA) as a rookie in 2023, then +6 DRS and +14 OAA in 2024, his 2025 campaign has been a step back. Entering late September, he has just +2 DRS and a troubling -8 OAA.
His defensive metrics reflect a noticeable decline in range, ranked in the fourth percentile. Combined with an arm that has never tested higher than the 35th percentile in strength, his shortcomings have drawn more attention.
Manager Aaron Boone has tried to remain steady in his support. “Yeah I mean we have got to get over it,” Boone said when asked about whether Volpe’s defensive miscues had become mental. “We’ve got to get through it, I mean one thing for certain, he’s really really good out there and he’s clearly had some struggles.”
Historical struggles put season in context
When placed in a broader historical frame, Volpe’s difficulties look even worse. Since 1920, 321 players have logged at least 1,500 plate appearances across their first three major league seasons. Only Volpe and MJ Melendez have posted batting averages that low with that much opportunity.
Two-strike counts have been his downfall. Volpe holds a career .125 batting average in those spots. Opposing pitchers have exploited his tendency to chase pitches moving away from him and his inconsistent swing decisions with two strikes.
September surge changes playoff picture
Despite Volpe’s issues, the Yankees have surged at the right time. Since Aug. 6, they hold the best record in the majors at 29-14. That run has closed the gap on the Toronto Blue Jays and solidified their playoff standing.
Tuesday’s victory over Chicago showed how quickly fortunes can shift. Down to their final outs, Volpe’s single sparked the rally. His dash across home plate on Eisert’s wild pitch tied the game, and Caballero’s single moments later drove Judge home for a walk-off 3-2 win.
The celebration was about more than just a single night. It symbolized the unpredictability of baseball and the value of players delivering in key moments.
Postseason implications loom large
Miller noted that Volpe’s future role in October remains uncertain.
“After starting darn near every game at shortstop over the past three seasons, whether he’ll do so this October is both an unknown and a heated discussion point,” he wrote.
Caballero’s arrival at the trade deadline has added another layer. Since joining New York, he has appeared in 36 games, stolen 14 bases in 17 attempts, and posted a 137 OPS+. His presence has created a debate over which player deserves the majority of starts at shortstop heading into the postseason.
Still, Boone has made his stance clear. “I view Anthony as our shortstop,” the manager said in late August.
Youth and potential remain factors
At 24, Volpe’s story is far from written. His athleticism, bat speed, and work ethic continue to give him upside despite a rocky season. Many around the team believe his struggles stem more from confidence issues than talent.
Writing off a young player who helped spark a playoff-clinching win would be premature. Even amid his slump, Volpe has shown flashes of the promise that made him one of New York’s top prospects.
Bottom line for October
One game does not erase an entire season, but Tuesday’s performance reminded fans why patience is sometimes necessary. Volpe’s hit and hustle helped secure the Yankees’ postseason spot and brought life to a team chasing bigger goals.
As Jazz Chisholm Jr. said in the clubhouse afterward, “We want to win the division. This isn’t it for us. This is only a small step. Step two is winning the division, and step three is winning the World Series.”
Whether Boone sticks with Volpe as the everyday shortstop will be a key storyline in October. But for one night, the embattled infielder silenced critics by delivering when it mattered most.
The “worst player” tag may already need revisiting.
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