Yankees Urged to Make Dangerous Change After Reds Loss originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
If New York Yankees fans had their way, embattled shortstop Anthony Volpe is entering his final days in the starting lineup.
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In fact, a quick look at X/Twitter shows Yankees fans are ready to leave Volpe in Ohio and never look back. Volpe continued his latest mediocre season with an 0-for-4 performance in Monday’s 6-1 loss to the Cincinnati Reds.
Although Volpe is on pace for his third consecutive 3-WAR season, he’s also hitting just .233 with a league-leading nine errors. Volpe’s staunchest defenders often point to his relatively impressive offensive numbers—he’s already tallied nine home runs, 20 doubles, and 41 RBIs for the AL East-leading Yankees—but few point to his .222 average with runners in scoring position.
Not only do social media users want the Yankees to bench Volpe, but they’re willing to see the team get aggressive and promote top prospect George Lombard Jr.
“My favorite Yankee is George Lombard Jr. because he’s the only way out of the Anthony Volpe mess at shortstop,” Yankees blogger Neil Keefe wrote on Monday.
New York Yankees shortstop Anthony VolpeDaniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
Added another: “Isn’t it crazy how horrific of a baseball player he is? So excited for Lombard to take his spot forever.”
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Lombard owns a .221 average, two homers, and a .681 OPS in 182 Double-A plate appearances. He only turned 20 on June 5, and Major League Baseball doesn’t expect him to debut until 2027.
Volpe, meanwhile, is batting .214 with three homers, eight RBI, and an 18-4 K-BB ratio in 76 June plate appearances.
“Anthony Volpe has had moments where you think he figured it out followed by long spells of empty [at-bats],” the YankeeSource X account posted, adding, “He’s also become a mediocre baserunner and fielder which adds to the problem.”
But the Yankees wouldn’t really promote Lombard … would they?
No, probably not. The Yankees remain committed to Volpe, and there are no indications that a benching is imminent. In fact, the Yankees haven’t been linked to a shortstop in trade talks despite the team reportedly seeking an infielder.
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“I think that they should bring up Lombard and give him a shot,” an X user nonetheless argued. “Both [Giancarlo Stanton] and [DJ LeMahieu] are automatic outs. 3/9 players make outs time after time. Leave men on base.”
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.