The New York Yankees can’t afford to ignore their shortstop situation any longer. Anthony Volpe was supposed to be the future — the next homegrown star to carry the torch for the franchise. Instead, three years in, the Yankees are watching a talented but deeply inconsistent player struggle to find his footing at the plate.
Volpe’s ceiling hasn’t disappeared, but it’s becoming harder to justify his role as the team’s everyday shortstop.
Volpe’s offensive regression is impossible to ignore
This past season, Volpe hit .217/.272/.391 with 19 home runs and 72 RBIs. His 83 wRC+ means he performed 17 percent below league average offensively, and that’s after a 2024 campaign in which he posted just an 87 wRC+. Even factoring in the partially torn labrum that limited him this year, his offensive profile hasn’t shown much growth.
He continues to strike out too often, walk too little, and struggle with timing on fastballs and offspeed pitches alike. Those are the same issues that plagued him as a rookie, and the Yankees have to ask themselves if another year of trial and error is worth it.
Volpe’s defense was once his saving grace, but even that slipped in 2025. His footwork and range remain solid, but the consistency that once made him dependable isn’t there. When a player isn’t hitting and isn’t saving runs in the field, the cracks in the foundation start to show.
A potential answer is already on the way
Luckily for the Yankees, their long-term solution may already be in the system. Top prospect George Lombard Jr. continues to impress with his advanced glove and natural baseball instincts. Still only 20 years old, Lombard spent this season splitting time between High-A and Double-A, holding his own against older competition.
Over 108 games in Double-A, Lombard hit .215/.337/.358 with eight home runs and 36 RBIs. The numbers don’t jump off the page, but scouts rave about his approach and maturity. He’s one of the most refined defenders in the organization and already profiles as a plus shortstop at the major league level.
If Lombard’s bat comes around — and there’s every indication it will — the Yankees could be looking at their next franchise shortstop. Think of him as a player who blends the poise of a young Derek Jeter with the athleticism of a modern infield defender. The tools are there; they just need time to sharpen.
The Yankees’ short-term solution
Until Lombard is ready, the Yankees may have to patch things together at shortstop. Jose Caballero could be part of that equation after flashing solid defense and contact skills late in the season. A veteran signing is another possibility, someone who can bridge the gap without blocking Lombard’s path.
The front office must resist the temptation to rush Lombard, though. Giving him another year of development in the minors could turn him from a good prospect into a polished difference-maker.
The future belongs to Lombard
For now, the Yankees must navigate the present knowing that help is coming. Volpe’s time as the everyday shortstop may be winding down, and the organization seems to understand that.
If George Lombard Jr. takes the next step in 2026, the Yankees could finally have the complete shortstop they’ve been searching for — and the stability they’ve been missing since the glory days of the position.