Anthony Volpe’s selective hitting approach is showing promise in his first postseason with the Yankees. Although he only hit .250 in the ALDS against the Royals, the underlying stats show significant improvements. With four walks to one strikeout, Volpe shows discipline at the plate. He registered impressive averages in exit velocity and heavy hit rate, suggesting he’s on the verge of a breakout as the Yankees prepare for the ALCS.

By the numbers

• Volpe averaged an exit speed of 98.9 mph during the ALDS, up from 80.7 mph in the regular season.
• His hard-hit percentage was 72.7%, compared to 35.4% in the regular season.
• Volpe’s chase rate dropped to 7.5% in the postseason, below his average of 29.3% in the regular season.
• His average bat speed increased to 78.6 mph, compared to 69.3 mph in the regular season.

State of affairs

• The Yankees are optimistic about Volpe’s performance in the ALCS against the Guardians.
• Volpe has credited his improved performance to focused training during the Yankees’ first-round bye.
• Manager Aaron Boone praised Volpe for looking his best offensively during the playoffs.

What’s next

As the ALCS approaches, Volpe is looking to build on his progress. The Yankees hope his disciplined approach will lead to more productive at-bats and greater offensive output against heavier pitching. Continued refinement of his swing and pitch selection will be crucial to his success in high-pressure games.

In short

Volpe’s committed approach to hitting and his significant improvements suggest he could be a key player for the Yankees in crucial postseason games. As he gains confidence and adapts to the intensity of the playoffs, his numbers could translate into tangible results that could take the Yankees’ championship chase to the next level.