The Yankees’ Offense Is Being Held Back by Two Struggling Bats
The New York Yankees entered the 2025 season with championship expectations, but elite defense alone isn’t enough to win games — especially come October. Right now, the team’s offensive output is being dragged down by two key players: Anthony Volpe and Jazz Chisholm Jr. Both have been outstanding defensively, but their struggles at the plate are beginning to hurt the lineup in a big way.
Jazz Chisholm Jr.: Inconsistent Offense Despite Power
Chisholm had a brief bright spot in Tuesday’s loss to the Guardians, drawing two walks and driving in a run. However, he went hitless once again and continues to show little consistency at the plate. He’s currently slashing .159/.265/.420, relying almost entirely on sporadic home runs for production.
While his raw power is evident — ranking in the 91st percentile in barrel rate — his inability to consistently make contact is a concern. He’s in the bottom 10% of the league in both whiff rate and strikeout rate, and he’s batting just .161 with runners in scoring position. For a player expected to energize the top half of the lineup, this level of production simply isn’t good enough.
Anthony Volpe: Hot Start Fizzling Out
Volpe began the season strong but has since cooled off significantly. He’s now hitting .209/.310/.407, and his strikeout rate has climbed to over 27%. While his plate discipline is improving — with a solid chase rate — he’s not making enough quality contact. His whiff rate ranks in the 25th percentile, resulting in too many empty at-bats.
Though his early-season numbers boosted his overall value (he still holds a 110 wRC+), that momentum is fading. Right now, he’s more of an occasional offensive threat than a dependable bat. His defense remains a major asset, but it’s not enough to offset his lack of offensive impact.
Defense Alone Won’t Win Championships
Volpe and Chisholm have both been outstanding in the field, flashing range and instincts that have prevented runs on a regular basis. But in baseball, unlike football, defense alone can’t carry a team. Postseason success demands offensive firepower — especially against elite pitching — and New York’s current lineup isn’t supplying it consistently.
Unless Chisholm and Volpe can turn things around at the plate, the Yankees risk squandering their elite defense and letting a golden opportunity slip away. With Aaron Judge still anchoring the offense, they can’t afford to rely on home runs alone — they need production throughout the lineup, and it starts with these two.
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