Yankees need stability from Torres and Volpe to secure AL East title
Gleyber Torres and Anthony Volpe, both relatively young and athletic, are important pieces of this year’s Yankees team. Torres, 27, at second base and shortstop Volpe, 23, in only his second season in the major leagues, must provide offense, defense, and speed — elements that are crucial for this Yankee team to reach their championship goal.
As with most young players, they both have had ups and downs this season, but their performances will go a long way to determine their and the team’s future. Both Torres and Volpe have been slightly above average offensively this year. They have each hit first in the lineup this season and have shown speed on the bases in front of the heavy hitters Juan Soto and Aaron Judge.
But Torres and Volpe have been inconsistent. After Monday’s game, an 8-4 victory over the Rangers, Torres and Volpe had 92 walks and 250 strikeouts combined. Volpe does have a team-high 25 stolen bases, but he has been moved down in the lineup by manager Aaron Boone. Torres has four this year and is presently the leadoff hitter by default.
Neither gets on base enough to take advantage of their speed or force teams to pitch to Soto and Judge, who were No. 1 (Judge, 112) and No. 2 (Soto, 110) in walks in MLB when the Yankees played the Rangers on the road again on Tuesday. Not an ideal situation. Torres was batting .244 with an on-base percentage of .319 and Volpe was at .254 with an OBP of just .303 for a Yankees squad that was 80-58, only a half a game ahead of the Baltimore Orioles. The Os were 80-59 in the race for the AL East title.
Defensively, the youthful combo has been virtually equally effective. They rank high in fielding percentage for their positions, with Volpe fifth and Torres seventh. Viewing their defense from a different perspective, their range can be a blessing and a curse: Both players are in the top five in errors. Volpe had 14 before Tuesday’s game and Torres 15.
Like all pitchers, the Yankees’ staff rely on defense from their fielders for optimal results. If Torres and Volpe aren’t firm in the field, it could be the difference in winning the division and making it deep into the playoffs.
Strength up the middle is a key for most championship teams. Having Torres and Volpe feel comfortable with each other on the field and have set slots in the lineup can only be beneficial to the team.
Torres will be a free agent after the season and it’s unsure if he will return next season. He has been criticized for not hustling, even removed from a game this year by Boone.
Volpe, however, was a Gold Glove winner at shortstop last year. His future with the team seems secure. Letting them grow together could be a good thing. Stability brings consistency.
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