"Our goal isn't to make the playoffs" - Anthony Volpe opens up on Yankees' 'big aspirations' amid close AL East race

New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe says his team is carrying massive expectations for the 2024 season, which are not limited to just reaching the playoffs. The 23-year-old indicated in no uncertain terms that the Yankees are targeting to win the World Series this year, and the team is entirely focused on fulfilling this aspiration every single day.

Anthony Volpe is playing his second season for the Yankees after an exciting debut campaign. He finished eighth in the Rookie of the Year voting besides winning a Gold Glove in the shortstop position. He has improved considerably with the bat this year after making a hot start to the season as a leadoff hitter.

The Yankees were on a break on Monday. Anthony Volpe used this opportunity to visit his alma mater, Delbarton School, in his hometown of Morristown, New Jersey, to conduct his first ProCamp in front of hundreds of young players. He spoke to reporters about the lofty expectations the Yankees are carrying this year.

“Overall, we’re excited. We have really big aspirations. Our goal isn’t to make the playoffs. It’s to win it all. That’s the standard. We think about that every day," Volpe said(h/t New York Post)

The Yankees are currently on a red-hot patch, having picked up seven wins from their last eight games. They will need to continue this momentum until the end of the regular season in order to realize their dreams in the playoffs. At the moment, the Bronx Bombers are tied with the Baltimore Orioles at the top of the American League East with an identical 67-46 record.

Anthony Volpe will not move back to leadoff spot despite his ongoing hot streak

Anthony Volpe will not return to the leadoff spot despite his current hot run (Photo Credt: IMAGN)

Although Anthony Volpe had an excellent start to the season as the leadoff hitter for the New York Yankees, he went through a really poor spell that dropped him to the lower end of the lineup. He was batting under .200 with an OPS below .500 and had no home runs in his first 38 games since the start of June.

However, Anthony Volpe has made a remarkable recovery since then and has a .353/.362/.647 slashline with an OPS above 1.000 since July 16. He has also recorded 10 extra-base hits, including five home runs, during this period. But despite his excellent performance, Yankees manager Aaron Boone has ruled out a return to the leadoff spot.

“I kind of prefer this. I like where our lineup’s at. Anthony being sixth, seventh, eighth [or] ninth, depending on who’s in the lineup. Especially with the way he’s going now, he adds length,” Aaron Boone said regarding the batting position for Anthony Volpe.

“We moved him up there a little bit out of necessity. He was swinging the bat well and we had a couple guys that were struggling in that spot. I’m hoping we remains where we’re at right now with construction,” Boone added

The Yankees are currently using Gleyber Torres and Alex Verdugo in the leadoff spot depending upon the opposition starting pitcher.