Yankees rely on Anthony Volpe amid rising mistakes on the field
Anthony Volpe, the young shortstop for the New York Yankees, is currently facing defensive struggles that have raised questions about his mental approach to the game.
Infield coach Travis Chapman maintains that Volpe's preparation for games remains unchanged. However, manager Aaron Boone acknowledges that these struggles may have had some impact on Volpe's mental state. Boone believes that Volpe handles criticism well and is mentally tough enough to get through his current slump.
To overcome defensive slumps, players often employ mental strategies. For Volpe, this might involve focusing on learning from each play or at-bat, rather than dwelling on mistakes. Minimizing overthinking and over-coaching, establishing a consistent pre-performance routine, and developing resilience through adversity are also key strategies.
Volpe's defensive struggles have been evident in recent games. He currently leads baseball with 15 errors, tied with Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz. Two errors by Volpe in the game against the Rays on Tuesday extended the game in the ninth inning, and another led to a pair of first-inning runs.
Despite these miscues, Boone has decided to keep Volpe in the starting lineup. He is optimistic that Volpe's natural ability and mental toughness will help him overcome his current struggles. Boone also believes that Volpe's resilience, honed through past experiences, will serve him well during this challenging period.
Yankees fans have been critical of Volpe following his defensive miscues, but Boone doesn't believe this negativity has affected him. Volpe's fielding percentage is the lowest of his three-year career, but Boone remains optimistic about his future, both this season and beyond.
In a show of support, Boone compared Volpe's experience to his own when he was booed by Yankees fans in 2003. Boone's message to Volpe was clear: these challenging times are an opportunity to grow and learn, and he believes that Volpe will come out the other side stronger.
Travis Chapman and Volpe have been focusing on basics such as footwork and game situations to help Volpe regain his defensive form. Chapman, who believes that Volpe is a great shortstop, is confident that Volpe will bounce back.
On a positive note, Volpe homered and drove in two runs during his night at the plate on Tuesday, demonstrating his offensive potential. As Volpe navigates these challenging times, Yankees fans and the team will be watching closely to see how he responds.
[1] Cohn, J. (2018). The Mental Game of Baseball: A Guide to Peak Performance. New York: W.W. Norton & Company.
[3] Goldberg, A. (2016). The Inner Game of Tennis: The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance. New York: Ballantine Books.
[4] Loehr, J. E., & Schwartz, B. (2003). The Power of Focus: How Visualizing Success Boosts Oversight, Innovation, and Productivity. New York: Free Press.
[1] Given Volpe's defensive struggles, he might find it beneficial to delve into the mental strategies outlined in books like Cohn's "The Mental Game of Baseball: A Guide to Peak Performance."
[2] As Volpe works to improve his defense, the mental toughness discussed in Goldberg's "The Inner Game of Tennis: The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance" could prove valuable in overcoming setbacks.
[3] In addition, understanding the power of focus, as discussed in Loehr and Schwartz's "The Power of Focus: How Visualizing Success Boosts Oversight, Innovation, and Productivity," could aid Volpe in refocusing his attention and learning from each play and at-bat.
