New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe was compared to franchise legend and Hall of Famer Derek Jeter both before and after Volpe earned a Gold Glove as a rookie in 2023. 

As Jake Kauderer of amNewYork pointed out, however, Volpe's struggles at the plate and in the field routinely generated headlines as the 2025 Yankees fell from 42-25 to 48-37 ahead of Wednesday night's game at the Toronto Blue Jays (47-38).

For an article published on Wednesday, an unnamed veteran American League scout spoke with Randy Miller of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com about why Volpe hasn't made the jump many expected as recently as last year. 

"I’m seeing a little man trying to hit like Aaron Judge, and that’s not his game," the scout said about Volpe. "He used to be a gap-to-gap (hitter), but now he thinks he’s a power hitter. You can get away with that some at Yankee Stadium, but he’s striking out a ton and maybe will hit you 20 homers. Is that what you’re looking for? Volpe can run. Why not be a gap-to-gap hitter like he was and possibly hit 15 homers instead of trying to be a mini–Aaron Judge?"

Per ESPN stats, Volpe slashed .205/.290/.375 with a .665 OPS, three home runs, 11 RBI and 25 strikeouts over 27 games in the month of June. He then went 0-for-5 in Tuesday's 12-5 loss in Toronto.

Additionally, Volpe began Wednesday responsible for 11 errors on the season, the most among American League shortstops. 

"Volpe is a second baseman, not a shortstop," the scout warned. "... I think Volpe is an average defender at best. I think the arm is below average, but he has good timing, so it’s just enough. I just think Volpe is a better fit at second base. I’m not trying to be negative. I like Volpe as a player. I love him as an individual. I just think the New York Yankees need a better shortstop."

The Yankees have a potential future Volpe replacement playing Double-A ball in top prospect George Lombard Jr., but the scout thinks Lombard "is at least a year away" from helping the big-league club win games. For now, Yankees manager Aaron Boone seems willing to let Volpe try to figure things out in the lineup as the Bronx Bombers attempt to reclaim their previous winning ways ahead of the All-Star break.