Anthony Volpe Vs. Ha-seong Kim

The New York Yankees may have missed a significant opportunity by not signing Ha-Seong Kim, and as Sports Illustrated recently highlighted, that decision could come back to haunt them. Great article by the way, check it out HERE.

In their article, SI notes, “Kim is an elite defender no matter where he’s placed on the diamond, though his defense is so strong that his borderline elite bat gets overshadowed.” For those who have followed the Yankees closely, this isn’t exactly surprising. Many fans and analysts, including me at BYB, have long believed that Kim would have been a perfect fit for the Yankees’ infield this offseason. He brings speed, defensive versatility, and a solid bat—attributes the team has needed for years.

The Yankees’ faith in Anthony Volpe played a big role in their decision not to pursue Kim in my opinion. We wrote about Volpe last November in a piece titled: WE GOT FLASHES FROM VOLPE, BUT WE NEED MORE. Volpe showed flashes of brilliance early in the 2024 season, hitting .382 through the first 15 games and displaying the star potential that the organization had been selling. However, that hot start quickly faded as opposing pitchers adjusted, and Volpe struggled to make the necessary counter-adjustments. I wrote, “Look, those first 15 games of 2024 were magical. He hit .382, sprayed extra-base hits all over the field, and looked like the dynamic star we’d been promised. But that shine wore off faster than a Times Square souvenir.” While he had some key moments in the postseason, including a memorable grand slam in the World Series, sporadic success isn’t enough in the Bronx. The Yankees need consistent production, not just glimpses of greatness.

Defensively, Volpe is serviceable but not spectacular. I’ve always said this. His glove is reliable, and his arm strength has improved, but he hasn’t established himself as an elite shortstop. If shortstop is supposed to be his defining position, he needs to elevate his game further. BYB emphasized this point, stating, “Defensively, Volpe is… fine. Not great, not bad, just fine. He’s a little better than average with his glove and his arm strength has improved enough to keep people from cringing.”

That’s where Kim comes in. While he primarily played shortstop early in his career, his 2023 Gold Glove came from the utility position, proving his ability to thrive across the infield. He excels at second and third base as well, giving any team incredible flexibility. SI points out, “He isn’t going to blow you away with power by any means, yet Kim has enough pop to be a 15+ home run hitter on a yearly basis.” His defensive prowess is so strong that it sometimes overshadows his offensive contributions but make no mistake—Kim can hit.

The Yankees’ decision not to sign Kim could be a mistake, particularly if Volpe fails to take a big step forward in 2025. While the organization is betting on Volpe, it’s worth considering whether a player like Kim—who brings both defensive reliability and offensive consistency—would have been the safer and ultimately better choice. The Yankees once had a similar situation with Isiah Kiner-Falefa, moving him around the field before eventually moving on. Could Volpe face a similar fate if he doesn’t progress as expected? All I’m saying is the Yankees promoted this kid as the next big thing… but when will that happen?

Ultimately, only time will tell if the Yankees made the right call. Volpe has another season to prove he can be the star they envisioned, but if he struggles, fans and analysts alike will be left wondering: Did the Yankees let a better option slip away in Ha-Seong Kim? OK, OK… I’ll be the one wondering… everybody calm down.