New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (11) Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Anthony Volpe accomplishes something no Yankees rookie has ever done

By Adam Gretz | Last updated 8/31/23

The New York Yankees' forgettable 2023 season continued on Thursday afternoon with another loss, dropping a 5-4 extra-innings decision to the Detroit Tigers.

But for as bad as the season has been, and for as ugly as another loss was on Thursday, there was at least a little bit of history made for the team.

Rookie shortstop Anthony Volpe clubbed his 20th home run of the season in the loss, giving him a 20-home run, 20-stolen base season in his rookie campaign. That is a noteworthy accomplishment because it makes him the first Yankees rookie in franchise history to ever have a 20-20 season.

Not only is he the first Yankee to ever accomplish that feat, he is just the sixth player to ever do so in their first season.

20-HR, 20-SB season in first MLB season:

2023 Anthony Volpe
2022 Bobby Witt Jr.
2022 Julio Rodríguez
1995 Marty Cordova
1987 Ellis Burks
1977 Mitchell Page https://t.co/j95JemOEtv
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) August 31, 2023

Volpe entered the season as one of the top prospects in baseball and is part of a wave of young talent that includes Jasson Dominguez, who the Yankees are hoping can be the foundation of the team in the coming seasons.

While Volpe showed some power and stolen base ability, his rookie season was probably a little underwhelming overall, especially at the start when there were rumors he might get sent back down to Triple-A.

After Thursday's game, he is hitting .219 for the season with a .706 OPS.

He is still only 22 years old and has shown enough promise — and improvement — this season to give the Yankees reason to believe he can be a long-term solution in their lineup.

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