Anthony Volpe stepped into the batter’s box on Tuesday with the weight of expectations and a brutal slump hanging over his shoulders. The 24-year-old shortstop who helped carry the Yankees to the World Series just months ago now finds himself in the middle of a heated debate that goes beyond his .115 batting average over the past three weeks.
The question isn’t just about his swing mechanics or confidence at the plate. It’s about where manager Aaron Boone should put him in the lineup, and whether a simple position change could unlock the player who dazzled in October.
Should Anthony Volpe Bat Sixth or Ninth?
The numbers tell a harsh story about Volpe’s recent struggles. After hitting .286 with a .815 OPS in 14 postseason games during the Yankees’ World Series run, the young shortstop has hit a wall that’s become impossible to ignore. Over his previous 22 games before Wednesday, he managed just 10 hits in 78 at-bats, striking out 22 times while posting a .450 OPS that would make even the most patient manager consider changes.
However, Volpe remains confident despite what the statistics show. His mental approach hasn’t wavered, even as the results have.
“Listen,” Volpe said, via The Athletic, “I mean, I know it might sound crazy, but I feel good. We’re obviously working on stuff. Just getting into a place I feel like I need to be. But I’m confident we’re getting toward that. I answer this question with respect and everything like that, but I feel like I’m really confident every time I step up to the plate. That’s what makes it frustrating at the same time. It’s just the balancing act.”
This confidence in the face of adversity speaks to Volpe’s character but also raises questions about whether his struggles stem from more than just mechanical issues. The timing of his at-bats and the situations he faces might play a bigger role than anyone initially realized.
Why Does Batting Order Matter for Volpe’s Success?
The debate over Volpe’s lineup position has gained momentum as his struggles continue. While some might view batting order as a minor detail, the evidence suggests it could be the key to unlocking his potential again.
According to Yankees insider JL, the solution lies in moving Volpe to the ninth spot in the batting order. The reasoning centers on situational hitting and the types of at-bats Volpe faces depending on his position in the lineup.
“I believe this 100%. He must bat ninth, he is coming up with the most runners on base, over and over, and his approach with runners on base, and the way he is being attacked; he is killing them offensively,” posted JL on Twitter/X. “Their numbers with runners on base and runners in scoring position and moving runners over have been terrible. And the guy at the core of that, more than anyone else, is Volpe hitting sixth often. To me, he’s got to hit ninth. And again, this is in the messaging, ‘hey man, hit ninth.’”
Joel must have been reading my tweets https://t.co/is48YWOHhI pic.twitter.com/5rkcsDAeep
— JL (@JLas43_) July 8, 2025
The theory suggests that batting sixth puts Volpe in high-pressure situations with runners in scoring position more frequently, situations where his current approach isn’t working. Moving him to ninth could provide cleaner at-bats and allow him to rediscover his timing without the added pressure of driving in runs.
What Do Volpe’s Career Numbers Reveal?
Looking at the bigger picture, Volpe is currently batting .225 on his career with a total of 43 home runs and 168 RBIs. On the year so far, he is batting .217 with 10 home runs so far and a whopping 48 RBIs.
These career statistics demonstrate that Volpe has the talent to be a productive major league player. His playoff performance last year proved he can rise to the occasion when it matters most. The challenge now is finding the right environment for him to tap into that ability consistently during the regular season.
The Yankees currently sit at 51-41, holding second place in the American League East Division. With the team in a competitive position, every decision about the lineup carries extra weight.
Whether Boone decides to move Volpe down in the order or stick with his current approach, the coming weeks will be crucial for both the player and the team’s playoff aspirations. Sometimes the smallest adjustments can make the biggest difference, and for Volpe, a change in batting position might be exactly what he needs to rediscover the form that made him such a key part of the Yankees’ World Series run.