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Acce s the Yankees beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees. Anthony Volpes best baseball is still ahead of him at least, according to his former hitting coach. Sean Casey, who served as the New York Yankees interim hitting coach in the second half of 2023 during Volpes rookie season, pushed back on criticism of the shortstop amid an ongoing offensive and defensive slump. Volpe, 24, holds a .214/.286/.400 slash with a .686 OPS in 2025 and was this week to go along Garrett Cleavinger Jersey with an American League-leading 13 errors at shortstop. In his third MLB season, Volpe has drawn criticism acro s the baseball world, including from Alex Rodriguez, who recently called his performance not winning baseball. Sean Casey spoke highly of Anthony Volpe on his podcast, The Mayors Office. AP Explore More What I would do, look at Derek Jeters rookie year, Rodriguez . I would trade Volpes home runs and RBIs, and I would trade them today, right now, for a .280 batting average, 10-12 home runs, 65-75 RBIs, and give me 40 stolen bases and play lockdown defense and become the best bunter on the team. That is a formula to win. Casey isnt buying that a change in approach is a cure for Volpes woes. The 12-year MLB veteran and three-time All-Star sidestepped Rodriguezs criticism, touting Volpes mindset and approach. Anthony Volpe has struggled on both sides of the ball this season, evidenced by his .212 batting average and American League-leading 13 errors. AP Not everybody is A-Rod, not everybody is [Derek] Jeter, Casey said Monday on his podcast, . Anthony Volpe is going to be just fine. Nobody works harder than he does. Hes in the cages all the time, has a great routine, he knows what hes doing. Though Volpe has struggled with consistency at the plate and getting on base, his power production remains a bright spot. Hes swatted 13 home runs, just eight shy of the 21 he recorded as a rookie, and his 54 RBIs are approaching his career high of 60. Casey used Volpes standout game against the Braves over the weekend to hit back at Rodriguezs notion that a batting average-focused game plan would make him a more useful player. Go beyond the box score with the Bombers Sign up for Inside the Yankees by Greg Joyce, exclusively on Sports+. Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! If you go watch the , he was really flat, Casey said as he broke down Volpes mechanics. Sometimes he loads on his legs, and when he loads, he loads down. When you load down, you have nothing to do but come up. What are these guys in the big leagues trying to do? Theyre trying to hit upper rail. So if Im loading down, Im coming up and out. As opposed to staying into that hip. I think Volpes going to be fine, Casey added. I think Volpes going to get hot, to tell you the truth. And hes on pace for 18 bombs, 85 RBIs. He has over 50 RBIs. Isnt the job in baseball to score more runs than the other team? Isnt that what it is? You want guys that drive in runs. If he gets me up to .230 or .240, thats pretty good nowadays. While his power numbers are in line with his first two seasons, Volpes underlying metrics reflect a flawed hitter and who has failed to make an offensive leap. Alex Rodriguez slammed Volpes skillset as not winning baseball before suggesting the shortstop rework his approach to focus on batting average versus home runs. Getty Images for Fanatics Hes batting an abysmal .176 against breaking pitches this season, according to a steep drop from his still uninspiring .209 in 2024. After winning a Gold Glove as a rookie shortstop in 2023, Volpes defense has regre sed, including crucial miscues, with the most recent coming in . Despite all of that, Casey is convinced that 2025 is just another blip in a series of blips and that hes set to play a key role for the Yankees. Ive got a shortstop that has (54) RBIs, and we still have a second half to play? And hes on pace for 18 to 20 homers, and hes going to play Gold Glove shortstop? Casey said. Im going to take that. Ryan Pepiot Jersey |
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发表于 2025-11-16 09:33:55