The New York Yankees are facing a harsh reality in year three of the Anthony Volpe experiment. Once heralded as the shortstop of the future, the 24-year-old former top prospect continues to flounder, dragging the team into a frustrating narrative that hasn’t been seen in the Bronx in over a century. Despite flashes of brilliance—like a midsummer home run surge—Volpe’s inconsistency has left fans, analysts, and even his own coaches searching for answers. Enter Team USA manager Mark DeRosa, who delivered a blunt diagnosis on MLB Network, calling out Volpe’s “massive mistake” and offering a lifeline to salvage the young star’s career.
Volpe’s struggles are no secret. His offensive output has shown zero growth since his debut, and his defense, once a point of pride, has been shaky at best. General manager Brian Cashman has steadfastly backed his anointed shortstop, brushing off calls for competition, while manager Aaron Boone has been quick to shield Volpe from criticism. Even Volpe’s hitting coach, while praising his work ethic, seems stumped by the lack of progress. The Yankees’ internal solutions have fallen flat, and fans are growing restless. If the organization is serious about fixing their prized prospect, it’s time to look outside their echo chamber.
Mark DeRosa didn’t hold back in his MLB Network breakdown, pinpointing the root of Volpe’s woes with surgical precision. At the heart of the issue is a series of mechanical and mental missteps that have left Volpe stuck in a cycle of failure.
First, DeRosa highlighted Volpe’s inability to capitalize on first-pitch fastballs—pitches he should be crushing but often lets pass, putting himself in unfavorable counts. “He’s not ready to attack,” DeRosa noted, emphasizing that Volpe’s hesitation is costing him dearly.
The bigger problem lies in Volpe’s mechanics. DeRosa zeroed in on Volpe’s front hip, which “flies open” prematurely, throwing his lower half out of sync. This overzealous chase for power has Volpe selling out, leaving him unable to adjust to pitches. The result? He’s late on fastballs and out in front of off-speed and breaking pitches, which have become his kryptonite. As of September 4, Volpe’s batting average against non-fastballs was a dismal .174, a statistic that underscores his struggles.
DeRosa also pointed to a critical at-bat against Houston Astros pitcher Jason Alexander on September 3. In a 2-2 count, Volpe failed to anticipate Alexander’s changeup—a pitch thrown 33% of the time—and was caught flat-footed. DeRosa explained that Volpe should be sitting on the changeup, ready to adjust to Alexander’s pedestrian 91.9 mph fastball. Instead, Volpe was “stuck in no man’s land,” simultaneously ahead of the changeup and late on the fastball, a direct result of pulling off the ball too early.
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Despite the grim diagnosis, DeRosa remains optimistic. He showcased clips of Volpe at his best, staying back and driving the ball to right field with authority. These moments prove Volpe has the talent—it’s just buried under bad habits. DeRosa’s prescription is clear and actionable, offering the Yankees a roadmap to revive their struggling shortstop.
DeRosa’s first recommendation is to overhaul Volpe’s approach at the plate. Forget obsessing over hip rotation, DeRosa says. Instead, Volpe should focus on driving his hands through the zone, keeping his hips “locked” to maintain balance and plate coverage. DeRosa’s vivid analogy—imagining flashlights on Volpe’s hips pointed to the side—emphasizes the need to let the swing’s natural motion open up, allowing Volpe to work to all fields effectively.
Second, DeRosa prescribes intensive work on a curveball machine to retrain Volpe’s timing and confidence against breaking balls and off-speed pitches. “He needs to get comfortable staying back,” DeRosa stressed. This targeted practice could help Volpe overcome his Achilles heel and restore his ability to handle a pitcher’s full arsenal.
The Yankees can no longer afford to coddle Volpe with platitudes about his work ethic or potential. DeRosa’s analysis is a cold shower for an organization that’s been slow to address its shortstop’s decline. Whether the Yankees have already tried similar fixes is unclear, but DeRosa’s expertise as Team USA manager and his keen eye for detail make his advice impossible to ignore. If the Yankees want to salvage Volpe’s career—and their own postseason aspirations—they’d be wise to implement DeRosa’s plan immediately. The clock is ticking, and the Bronx faithful are running out of patience.