New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe is approaching a new franchise record as he extended his hitting streak to 21 games with a 2-for-5 performance against the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday, including a little league home run (scored a triple and an error) that was the difference maker in their 2-1 victory.
Anthony Volpe nearing a Yankees legend for the hit streak record
According to baseball writer Sarah Langs on X, Volpe is now tied with Yankees legend Joe DiMaggio for the second-longest hit streak in team history by a player 23 years old or younger. DiMaggio also holds the record for the longest hit streak by a Yankee at that age with a 22-game hit streak all the way back in 1937, nearly a century ago.
“It’s incredible when you say it, but at the end of the day we have such an amazing team with such amazing guys. I’m just trying to do my role and win pitches. I want to be consistent, and if I can go out there everyday and win pitches and just do my job, that’s all I’m trying to do,” Volpe said to YES Network’s Meredith Marakovits after Wednesday’s win.
Anthony Volpe is enduring a breakout season
Volpe’s sophomore season is turning into a breakout campaign. The 23-year-old displayed a combination of speed and power last season while also winning a Gold Glove Award for his impressive defense. But this season, his quality of contact has improved, as well as his swing decisions at the plate.
The adjusted approach in favor of more contact has led to phenomenal results in the batter’s box. On the season, he is slashing .288/.357/.442 with six home runs and has driven in 23 RBIs. His 132 wRC+ is the third highest on the Yankees this season, behind just Aaron Judge (184) and Juan Soto (181).
Volpe is tied for 10th in MLB in total hits with 65, a mark that ranks third among shortstops in the American League, only trailing Astros’ Jeremy Peña (67) and Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. (69). If these trends continue to go upwards for Volpe, he could find his way to being named an All-Star later this summer.
Anthony Volpe has become the Yankees’ lead-off hitter of the future
Volpe’s fast improvements have led to him being the everyday lead-off batter the Yankees envisioned he would become at some point. Over 80% of his at-bats this season have come from the lead-off spot in the order, and even with the return of DJ LeMahieu earlier this week, the team feels more comfortable leading off the second-year shortstop over a two-time batting champion in LeMahieu.
Volpe’s contributions are not only good for his individual development as a player, but for the team as well. The Yankees have gotten off to one of their best starts in franchise history with a 38-19 record, good for a 1.5-game lead over the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the AL East division, and their offensive success this season has been largely in part to Volpe’s improved performance at the plate.
As the hitting streak is still alive, the pressure will be on to make it continue. Volpe will have a chance to tie a Yankees record when they will go for the series win over the Angels on Thursday night.