Contrary to what his early-season numbers say, Anthony Volpe isn’t trying to go deep every time he steps up to the plate.
The Yankees’ young shortstop had four hits entering Thursday’s series finale against the Diamondbacks. It just so happens that each knock — delivered with one of the torpedo bats that have become all the rage — has left the field of play.
“I’m just trying to put the ball in play hard,” Volpe said Wednesday night. “They’re just going over the fence. I’m not trying for them, which is nice, and just trying to help the team out.”
Anthony Volpe makes it a one-run game in the Bronx! pic.twitter.com/HXjcM9MY9E
— MLB (@MLB) April 3, 2025
Volpe spoke shortly after his fourth homer of the season, a three-run shot off Arizona’s A.J. Puk, gave the Yankees some life in the ninth inning of Wednesday’s contest. However, the late blast proved insufficient in a 4-3 loss after D-backs starter Zac Gallen struck out 13 Yankees over 6.2 scoreless innings.
Still, Volpe’s power display continued to turn heads, as the 23-year-old only hit 12 home runs last season after crushing 21 as a rookie.
While Volpe’s 2025 season is still in its infancy, some improved metrics have accompanied his recent surge. Entering Thursday, Volpe’s average exit velocity, Hard-Hit% and average bat speed were all slightly up from last season.
That 98-pitch sample shouldn’t be blown out of proportion — Aaron Boone called this “overreaction week,” after all — but those numbers are something to keep an eye on after Volpe’s metrics also improved between the 2024 regular season and a harder-hitting postseason.
Volpe benefited from some pre-playoff tinkering last October. The Yankees believe those adjustments are still helping him.
“I think he’s going to be a good hitter,” Boone said. “I really felt like the playoffs were a little bit of a coming out party for him, offensively. He carried that work into the offseason, where I felt like he had a really good offseason as far as just honing his craft, honing his swing. So he’s capable of that. Whether it shows up in a ton of power, I don’t know. I just want him to be good hitter, and I think he’s moving towards that.”
Asked about Volpe’s home run barrage, Boone made sure to note that he’s hit a few balls on the screws that ended up as outs. Sooner than later, the infielder is going to pick up a hit that stays in the park.
But for now?
“If you’re gonna square them up,” Boone said, “you might as well drive them out.”