Could Anthony Volpe Force The Yankees To Innovate?

Conversely this spring, the Yankees have seen nothing but incredible performances from rookie shortstops Anthony Volpe and Oswald Peraza, with Volpe really stealing the show. So what does all of this mean for IKF, who has had a pretty good spring training so far going 5-for-19 and batting .263? It means the Yankees may need to get innovative if they are going to keep IKF but promote Volpe to starting shortstop.

IKF may be an above average fielder but he has not pulled his weight in the batter’s box. The Yankees need more consistent at bats from their lineup—this goes for everyone, IKF and beyond. But if IKF can add some competitive advantage through the lens of another position, I am all for it. As long as he hits and hustles. 

“It’s to be determined if there was a true competition entering the camp or if the Bombers had a favorite for the position all along. Volpe has been the clear top performer out of the bunch and with Kiner-Falefa now trying to learn the outfield, the competition has only gotten more intriguing a little over two weeks before Opening Day,” reported the New York Daily News.

Yankee Captain Aaron Judge compliments what I have been preaching since I started writing this blog more than five years ago. The key to winning in this sport is putting the best team on the field and if Volpe is that guy, then he should be the starting shortstop on opening day.

Innovation is something that has been lacking in the Yankees over the years. They just have not been able to play that card when they needed to or perhaps they just did not want to take the chance. But now Anthony Volpe may just be forcing their hand and that could mean big things for the Yankees in 2023. 

–Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof