The Yankees have nearly locked up the top Wild Card spot, which has the club turning its attention toward the postseason roster configuration over the final week of the regular season. One area that could change heading into the playoffs is third base. Manager Aaron Boone told reporters, including Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, that infielder Anthony Volpe will get a look at the hot corner.
“Trying to be as flexible as possible,” Boone said. “There’s a lot of different [roster] iterations and ways we could go in the Wild Card Series.”
Volpe was recalled in early September to be the primary second baseman, replacing an injured Jazz Chisholm Jr. With Chisholm activated this week, Volpe is back in a bench role. Rookie George Lombard Jr. has been the everyday shortstop since his debut in August.
Third base has been a sore spot for the Yankees all season. A group led by Ryan McMahon and Amed Rosario has combined for a .623 OPS, the fourth-lowest mark in the league. McMahon came over from the Rockies last July. He’s slashed .209/.287/.346 in 176 games with New York. Rosario, the right-handed complement to McMahon, is hitting .201 against lefties this season. He’s actually performed much better in a limited sample against righties.
Volpe hadn’t appeared anywhere but shortstop with the Yankees until this season. He’s now played 11 games at second base. He picked up three appearances at third base in Triple-A this year. It was his first time playing the position as a professional since Single-A ball in 2021. Volpe has routinely graded out as a plus defender at shortstop. The glove has been McMahon’s strong suit, but he’s posted -2 Defensive Runs Saved this season.
Getting Volpe’s bat in the lineup isn’t crucial for the Yankees, but he’s been better than the alternatives. The 25-year-old has an 88 wRC+ across 234 plate appearances. He’s stolen 11 bases in limited playing time. Volpe has taken a step forward in terms of plate discipline, trimming his strikeout rate to a career-low 22.2% while pushing his walk rate to 10.3%.
The Yankees have four chances left to get Volpe a couple of opportunities at third base, starting with the series finale against the Rays tonight. New York closes the regular season at home against the Orioles. As Boone mentioned, Volpe’s ability to handle the position could impact how the postseason roster shakes out.
Photo courtesy of Matt Blewett, Imagn Images
