SPANISH HARLEM – With news about the New York Yankees revolving around Anthony Volpe, I thought it was a good opportunity to throw my two cents in the conversation.
I think it is fair to say that I understand the fans’ frustration with Volpe as a player. I see the talent, the effort, and the ability to play the game at a high level. He was one of the best prospects the Yankees drafted in recent memory and did nothing in the minor leagues to dispel that. We all thought that he earned the starting job two years in Spring Training but that is not where my frustrations come to fruition.
We can’t say anything bad about him to Aaron Boone or Brian Cashman; there is an unquestionable belief in the kid that makes me uncomfortable. I know they want to be right about Volpe and in some ways they are. He is a great defensive shortstop and a Gold Glove winner. We are not worried about that side of his game. It is the hitting that most fans will talk about.
I know to start the year you saw flashes of someone that put in the work be a better overall hitter, and there is a chance that he will improve next year. My issue, though, is that as fans we can’t worry about his development. We shouldn’t being saying that he should sit a game or two, to get his mind right. Are we wrong in those thoughts? Why are Boone and Cashman so hellbent protecting him to the point of seeming ridiculous?
This issue could be a more Yankees minor league problem, as we have yet to promote any prospects that have had a long-term impact other than Aaron Judge. Sure, we are hoping that Jasson Dominquez is the future of the team but who out there believes that it will happen. I’m hesitant to say anything after seeing prospect after prospect flame out in the majors. I guess my actual point I don’t believe we have the people in place that focus enough on development, especially on the hitting side. Maybe we need a change in direction from what is being taught throughout the system.
Maybe it’s not Volpe’s fault… Maybe it’s the Yankee organization’s fault.
That’s it for now, come back tomorrow for more good stuff from Jackson Sternberg. who will still be giddy over Winker’s walk-off.
