Anthony Volpes glove continues to be important Yankees bright spot

TAMPA — The Yankees might not have a streakier hitter than Anthony Volpe. But they certainly do not have a better defender, either, and Volpe’s glove has continued to shine at shortstop regardless of how dark it gets at the plate. “That’s who he is,” manager Aaron Boone said.“He’s just such a good player.

It’s so valuable to have someone like that at the premier position out there.To have him play the way he does, it’s big.” Friday night was a prime example.

Volpe went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts — including two punch-outs on a combined six fastballs, all in the zone, in his first two at-bats — but was in the middle of a few terrific plays in the field that preserved a 1-0 win over the Rays. Since he arrived in the big leagues, the 23-year-old has often been hot or cold with no in between at the plate, but his defense has remained consistently sharp throughout. “I always feel like you can impact the game any pitch, any play,” Volpe said.“If you have one percentage of something taken away from what you can do for your teammates, then you’re not being the best teammate you can be.

Obviously at the plate I want to do my best to help the team and then once that’s done, good or bad, I want to go onto the field and be ready for anything hit my way.” The Yankees are still waiting on Volpe to find more consistency offensively.He started the season by crushing four home runs in his first five games and was batting 11-for-37 (.297) with a 1.069 OPS, nine strikeouts and three walks through nine games. In 12 games since, though, Volpe has been stuck in a 4-for-39 (.103) stretch with 17 strikeouts and seven walks.

He went 1-for-5 with two punchouts Saturday but was also robbed of a single by second baseman Brandon Lowe. “I’m just missing pitches,” Volpe said.“Keep working, keeping staying to myself and when I get them in the zone and get into damage counts, I feel like I’ll be in a good spot.” Boone said he felt lik...