Ex-Yankees catcher spells out what Anthony Volpe is up against: ‘You have to be better’

TL;DR

Anthony Volpe has been optioned to Triple-A Scranton after recovering from shoulder surgery, highlighting the competitive nature of baseball. Former Yankees catcher AJ Pierzynski emphasized the need for Volpe to excel to reclaim his position.

Key points

Anthony Volpe optioned to Triple-A Scranton
Volpe recovering from shoulder surgery
AJ Pierzynski emphasizes need for improvement
Historical reference to Wally Pipp and Lou Gehrig
Competitive nature of baseball positions

Mentioned in this story

AJ PierzynskiWally PippLou Gehrig

YankeesAnthony Volpe

Wally Pipp took a day off in 1925. Yankees legend Lou Gehrig played first base in his place. Pipp never got his job back.

Nearly a century later, baseball’s most unforgiving rule hasn’t changed one bit — and Anthony Volpe is living proof.

The “Foul Territory” crew tackled the Yankees’ decision to option Volpe to Triple-A Scranton following his recovery from shoulder surgery.

Former two-time All-Star AJ Pierzynski said it plainly:

“This is what happens. You play good, you stay in the big leagues. You don’t play good, you get sent down to Triple-A or you get released. It’s just this is the nature of the beast. It’s a hard game.”

What makes the Volpe situation particularly instructive is that this isn’t a case of a superstar coming back from injury and needing time to find his footing — a scenario where a team might exercise some patience and make room.

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Volpe, as the hosts discussed at length, hasn’t been an above-average offensive player by any significant measure since arriving in the big leagues.

His Gold Glove is real, and his defensive value is legitimate, but his bat hasn’t matched the expectations scouts and analysts had set for him

Q&A

Why was Anthony Volpe optioned to Triple-A Scranton?

Anthony Volpe was optioned to Triple-A Scranton following his recovery from shoulder surgery as part of the Yankees' roster decisions.

What does AJ Pierzynski say about Anthony Volpe's situation?

AJ Pierzynski stated that Volpe needs to be better to reclaim his spot, reflecting the high expectations in baseball.

What historical example illustrates the pressure on Anthony Volpe?

Wally Pipp's loss of his position to Lou Gehrig in 1925 serves as a historical example of the unforgiving nature of baseball positions.

What impact does being optioned to Triple-A have on a player's career?

Being optioned to Triple-A can significantly impact a player's career, as it may indicate a need for improvement or adjustment before returning to the major leagues.