Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe focuses on improving at the plate in his second season
Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe tosses the ball to second base during a spring training workout Wednesday in Tampa, Fla. Credit: AP/Charlie Neibergall
TAMPA, Fla. – Anthony Volpe’s rookie season was a success in some areas but not so much in others.
The shortstop captured the AL Gold Glove and, though Gold Gloves sometimes should be taken with a grain of salt, Volpe showed he could handle the position in the majors.
But at the plate, where Volpe shined every step of the way during his minor-league development, 2023 was mostly a disappointment, his 21 homers aside.
Volpe hit .209 with a .282 on-base percentage, striking out 167 times in 541 at-bats. For the 22-year-old, it was a far cry from the player who spent much of his development as an all-fields hitter with plate discipline and an ability to put the ball in play and use his speed.
The New Jersey native, who turns 23 on April 28, in the offseason made his bat path a focus, work that began in the Northeast and continued in early January when he arrived in Tampa to work out regularly at the Yankees’ minor league complex.
“To me, it’s very evident,” Aaron Boone said. “I feel like a little more posture, he’s not sinking down as much and coming up through [the ball]. A noticeable difference, I feel like, with more pitches at different points in the strike zone. So far in his work, that’s been something noticeable.”
Marinaccio throwing well
While Gerrit Cole was on the main field Wednesday, righty Ron Marinaccio threw his second live batting practice on one of the backfields in much quieter circumstances.
Although not as sharp as he was his first time out, the reliever was pleased Wednesday with the shape of his slider, a third pitch he hopes to throw with more regularity (to go with the fastball and, his bread-and-butter pitch, the changeup).
Marinaccio, who had what appeared to be a breakout rookie season in 2022 when he posted a 2.05 ERA in 40 games, had a disappointing 2023, posting a 3.99 ERA in 45 games. The setback came in large part, he and the Yankees felt, because of a shin injury he suffered toward the end of 2022 that lingered throughout last season. All indications are that issue is behind him.
“I see myself as, when I’m healthy, that ’22 me is the pitcher that I am,” Marinaccio said. “I know what I can do when I’m healthy.”
Nestor feeling OK
Boone said Nestor Cortes, who threw a three-inning simulated game Tuesday, came in Wednesday feeling good. Cortes was plagued with a shoulder issue all of last season. It began even before spring training when he felt an unusual amount of soreness the day after throwing. That has not been an issue so far.
“Another encouraging sign,” Boone said.
