What this Yankees legend told Anthony Volpe in lengthy one-on-one | Klapisch

TAMPA, Fla. — It’s been almost 50 years since Bucky Dent morphed from a little shortstop into a franchise giant. But we’re not here for the history lesson. If you don’t know why Dent’s middle name is Bleepin’ in New England, it’s best you move on.

Let’s just say if anyone understands rising to the moment, it’s the guy who spent time with Anthony Volpe this week. From the retired legend to the 24-year-old from Jersey trying to find his way, the conversation cut across generations.

Dent, a guest instructor in Yankees camp, sought out Volpe to talk about “defense and whatever else was on his mind.”

“I said, ‘Anthony, you have all the ability. I’ll watch you. If you have any questions, come to me.’ I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes, but I think I can help,” Dent recalled.

Volpe has been all ears while continuing to rehab his surgically repaired shoulder, which he injured last May on a dive in the field. He’s making fast progress in all areas except swinging the bat — that will come last — and is now hunting an April return from the injured list.

But to say it’s been a brutal nine months is putting it mildly. Not only did Volpe suffer the first significant injury of his career, but his ascent has stalled through three years of underperformance.

This marks Year 4 since Volpe took the Yankees by storm in spring training. He practically forced his way onto the Opening Day roster with a combination of energy, a quick bat and just enough power to imagine tangible contributions to the offense.

But Volpe has since been brought down by too many strikeouts, a chronically low batting average that’s never risen above .243 and an overall sense that something’s off.

Last season, he hit .212/.272/.391 with 19 home runs. His offense was worth an 83 OPS+.

And there’s also the inexplicable decline in defense. Volpe’s 19 errors last year tied for the third-most in the major leagues. Capping it off was the post-season surgery on a torn labrum, which was what he described as the “rock bottom” moment of his career.

That’s what led Volpe to the one-on-one with Dent, which was as therapeutic as it was instructive.

“I wanted to soak up everything I could from someone I respect so much,” Volpe said recently. “We talked about doing the little things on defense that I take pride in.

“There was a lot of back and forth. We really speak the same language, which is always nice.”

The two left things open-ended for the rest of spring training. Volpe plans to check in with Dent again in the coming weeks. But the core question about Volpe’s career path remains a mystery.

What happened to the 2019 first-round pick the Yankees fell in love with?

It took several seconds for him to quietly say, “I honestly don’t know” before adding, “I still know what I’m capable of. I still think I can help the Yankees.

“I feel like we have a team that can win the World Series, but I don’t think we’ll do it unless I’m out there playing my best.”

The organization doesn’t disagree, which is why Volpe has the inside track to win back the everyday job. Put it this way: If Jose Caballero is at shortstop 4-5 nights a week this summer, it’s because Volpe blew his chance, not because Caballero won the job.

Caballero is the better base stealer, can play multiple positions and is surprisingly athletic at shortstop.

But Volpe has more power and a 2023 Gold Glove Award to his name. Manager Aaron Boone wouldn’t mind if Volpe traded a few of those HRs for another 30-40 points on his average.

That goal might be within reach. Although Volpe isn’t ready for live batting practice, he’s planning to tweak his timing on fastballs — not those breaking pitches out of the strike zone that’ve been his kryptonite. The sit-fastball approach could finally unlock Volpe’s potential.

The Yankees got a glimpse of his potential in the Wild Card Series against Boston last October. Volpe batted .364 (4-for-11) with a home run against Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet.

If only Volpe could’ve carried that success into the Division Series, when he went 1-for-15 with 11 strikeouts and got booed with increasing ferocity as the Yankees were eliminated.

Yes, Volpe heard the fans, but true to his resilient nature, he refused to take the lashing personally.

“I know people really care. I want them to react,” Volpe said. “Obviously, I want them to cheer for me, but for them not to do so say anything is not what I’d want, either.

“With the booing, I know I’d be doing the same thing if I was in their shoes. I want them to know I’m doing everything I can to be the best player possible.”

That’s the right message to send in February. But the more accurate barometer awaits. Give it a few months before Volpe knows where he stands with the Bleacher Creatures.

And the Yankees.

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