Anthony Volpe is Actually Underrated
A Blog by Greg
If you have been an active observer of Yankees discourse on X throughout the 2025 MLB season, you would be led to believe that Anthony Volpe has been underperforming. As someone who has watched nearly every Yankees game this season, I strongly disagree with that sentiment.
On the surface, his offensive standard stats are not particularly impressive. In 54 games played, Volpe has hit 6 home runs, stolen 7 bases, and slashed .246/.325/.442. Again, nothing crazy, but this is a solid improvement from his 2024 and 2023 campaigns. While his batting average is roughly the same as in 2024, his power numbers have increased significantly. In only ⅓ of a season, Volpe has half as many home runs and RBIs compared to 2024. Additionally, his SLG% has jumped from .364 to .442, while his Barrel % and Hard Hit % have risen 6.4 and 12.6 points, respectively. Considering Anthony Volpe was already ranked 18th in the MLB for qualified shortstops in FanGraphs Offensive Rating, this improvement is a great sign for his development. Already, for 2025, Volpe is the 12th-ranked SS in offensive rating and the 6th best in the American League, comfortably ahead of former All-Stars Bo Bichette and Carlos Correa. Power statistics aside, the most stirring aspect of Volpe’s improvement is his newfound patience at the plate.
Volpe’s Walk % has jumped from 6.1% in 2024, which put him in the 20th percentile for all qualified hitters, to 10.1%, which places him in the 68th percentile. He is currently on pace to walk 68 times this season, which is a stark improvement from his 42 walks the prior season.
The hitting stats are certainly impressive for a 24-year-old shortstop, especially compared to his previous seasons; however, Volpe’s speed and fielding prowess have been his calling card throughout his young MLB career. Out of the 31 qualified SS for 2025, Volpe ranks as the 11th best in the MLB based on Baseball Savant’s Fielding Run Value statistic. Similarly, when it comes to speed and baserunning, his FanGraphs’ speed score is the 30th best in the entire MLB.
The standard stats prove that Anthony Volpe has not only improved from 2024, but he is one of the most productive shortstops in the American League. Additionally, when you consider advanced metrics, his improvement is even more drastic. Volpe’s WRC+ in 2025 is 116, which is not only 30 points higher than his 2024 season but also ranks as the 10th best amongst SS in the MLB and within the top 75 amongst all hitters in the MLB. His WAR tells a similar story. Volpe’s 1.5 WAR (according to FanGraphs) ranks as the 66th best in the MLB and again as the 10th best SS in the entire MLB.
The most important factors to consider when discussing Anthony Volpe’s production are his age and contract. Volpe is still only 24 years old and under contract for less than $1 million a year. Compared to a player like Carlos Correa (a guy who Yankees fans were clamoring to acquire a few years ago), who is 6 years Volpe’s senior and is making nearly 40x more money, Anthony Volpe is far more productive.
The discourse on X surrounding Anthony Volpe's production is completely unfair. He is clearly not elite just yet, but he is certainly an above-average SS who has improved greatly from just a season ago. Yankees fans should not be concerned about their current starting shortstop and instead should be greatly optimistic about what has yet to come from Anthony Volpe.
Thank you for reading everyone! Make sure to follow me on X (GRMBets) and stay tuned for more blogs coming soon!