John Jones-Imagn Images
Jul 5, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Minnesota Twins shortstop Brooks Lee (22) slides safely into second base with a double ahead of the throw to New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (11) during the sixth inning at Yankee Stadium.
At one point in his MLB career, Anthony Volpe was considered one of the top prospects in the New York Yankees’ system.
Sadly for Volpe and the Yankees, things haven’t exactly worked out as planned to this point.
The former first-round pick flashed great defensive skills at shortstop in both his rookie season in 2022 and his follow-up campaign in 2023. However, he’s struggled to hit throughout his career, with an OPS+ of just 83 across 3.5 MLB seasons, placing him well below average.
To make matters worse, Volpe’s defense has seemingly declined with each passing season, with his Defensive Runs Saved total dropping each year according to Baseball Reference.
This season, Volpe has also battled injuries, and legendary Yankees play-by-play announcer Michael Kay recently reported that he refused to play second base during his minor league rehab assignment.
Volpe, however, says that the report is untrue.
Anthony Volpe Calls ‘B.S.’ On Report That Refused To Change Positions
“From my end, from our perspective, that’s been very clearly communicated to [manager Aaron Boone] and the team,” Volpe said on Wednesday. “I think it’s just kind of B.S.
“I’d hope my teammates in here, who I’ve played with for three-plus years, I’d hope they know my character and that I’d literally do anything to help the team win — literally anything. The narrative and what it tries to say about me, I feel like I’m defending myself over something that literally didn’t happen.”
Shortly after Volpe’s response, Kay took to X to recant his initial statement.
I spoke of a rumor yesterday on TMKS that Anthony Volpe would not play 2B in the minors. Sounded unlike him, so I checked further today and there is absolutely no truth to it whatsoever. He never refused to work at second. Will speak more of it today at 1 pm @ESPNNewYork.
— Michael Kay (@RealMichaelKay) July 8, 2026
“I spoke of a rumor yesterday on TMKS that Anthony Volpe would not play 2B in the minors,” Kay wrote. “Sounded unlike him, so I checked further today, and there is absolutely no truth to it whatsoever. He never refused to work at second”
Until proven otherwise, we have to take Volpe at his word. But the whole saga won’t help his perception among Yankees fans who have already begun to sour on the once-top prospect.