Anthony Volpe's Slump: Yankees' Plan and Aaron Judge's Support
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New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe is currently facing a challenging period, enduring a significant hitless streak that has drawn attention from fans and analysts alike. After a recent loss to the Baltimore Orioles, where Volpe went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts, his struggles at the plate have become increasingly apparent.
Volpe's Struggles and the Yankees' Response
Volpe's hitless streak now extends to 24 at-bats, impacting his overall performance. His batting average has dipped from .251 to .228, and his OPS stands at .710, the lowest among qualified Yankees hitters. Despite these difficulties, the Yankees coaching staff is adopting a patient approach.
Boone's Strategy: A Calculated Day Off
Yankees manager Aaron Boone has announced that Volpe will likely get a day off on Sunday. This decision is noteworthy because it's uncommon for managers to reveal a player's scheduled off day so far in advance. Boone's strategy seems to be based on Volpe's historical performance against upcoming pitchers.
The Yankees will face Zach Eflin on Saturday, against whom Volpe has a career batting average of .333 (6-for-18). This favorable matchup appears to be the reason for delaying Volpe's rest. However, on Sunday, they will face Dean Kremer, against whom Volpe has struggled, hitting just 1-for-11 (.091).
Aaron Judge's Words of Encouragement
Amidst Volpe's slump, Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, himself a former MVP, has offered words of support and encouragement. Judge, who had a strong performance in the same game, going 3-for-4 with a home run, drew upon his own experiences to advise Volpe.
"Keep going, you've been there before," Judge said. "I think he knows what he needs to work on, and he's a guy that will definitely outwork anybody in this room. And I got a lot of confidence in him, just like everybody else in this room. So just go out there, keep doing your thing. Don't feel bad for yourself because nobody else, especially the Orioles, feels bad for you. So just keep going out there and doing your thing.”
Judge's message emphasizes resilience and hard work, reinforcing the team's confidence in Volpe's ability to overcome his current challenges. The Yankees' approach balances strategic rest with unwavering support, aiming to help Volpe regain his form and contribute to the team's success.
The pressure is on for Volpe to turn things around, and the upcoming games will be crucial in determining whether he can break out of his slump and justify the Yankees' faith in him.