The New York Yankees have been in the news for popularizing the “torpedo bat” in the early stages of the MLB season, and one of their most prominent users of the new wood has been shortstop Anthony Volpe.
Volpe entered Friday’s matchup with the Pittsburgh Pirates having already homered four times, and for comparison’s sake, he hit just 12 home runs all of last year.
Well, thanks to Volpe’s usage of the torpedo bat, fans have bestowed a new nickname upon him: Volpedo.
While speaking to Meredith Markovits of YES Network before the Yankees faced the Pirates in the first game of a three-game series, he offered his thoughts on the moniker, and it seems like he is okay with it.
Volpe is now in his third big-league campaign. He was originally selected by New York with the 30th overall pick of the 2019 MLB Draft and made his debut in 2023, slashing .209/.283/.383 with 21 long balls and 60 RBI over 601 plate appearances. He also stole 24 bases and won a Gold Glove award.
Then, last season, the 23-year-old slashed .243/.293/.364 and drove home another 60 runs while swiping 28 bags. He then put forth a strong showing in the playoffs, slashing .286/.407/.408 with one dinger and six RBI, helping the Yanks reach the World Series.
The Yankees have high hopes for Volpe, who only owns a lifetime .667 OPS in the early stages of his career. Perhaps the new bat will help the New Jersey native further develop as a slugger.
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