This New York Rookie is On-the-Rise for a Bizarre-Yet-Delicious Reason

Why is Anthony Volpe starting to turn the corner with the New York Yankees? Fans can be thankful for two things: catcher Austin Wells, and a heaping plate of chicken parmesan.

Volpe has struggled significantly during his rookie season with the New York Yankees, and as the season has progressed, his statistics have worsened. Fans were beginning to clamor for a metaphorical changing of the guard, as fellow prospect Oswald Peraza was tearing it up in Triple-A at the same time. The Yankees have stood by their man, however, and he has started to reward them for their patience.

Now, we finally know the bizarre reason for this quick turnaround.

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Anthony Volpe Credits Austin Wells, Chicken Parm Dinner for Offensive Outburst

The date is Sunday, June 11th, and the New York Yankees had just lost to the Boston Red Sox by a score of 3-2. In the game, Anthony Volpe had come off-the-bench, getting one at-bat, in which he struck out.

He had gone 0-3 the night before. His average had cratered down to .186, and there were few signs of improvement on the horizon.

The Yankees had an off-day the next day, which was Monday, June 12th.

He spent the day watching video from his minor league playing days, searching for answers as to why he was struggling at the plate. With the help of his former minor league teammate, catcher Austin Wells, Volpe was able to find something in his swing that the duo deemed worth changing.

Oh, yeah, and they both were treated to homemade chicken parmesan while at the Volpe household in New Jersey.

The next day, the Yankees played the New York Mets, and Volpe was in the starting lineup. He finished the game with two ringing doubles in his four at-bats, and would proceed to record four hits over his next three games.

As noted by NJ.com's Max Goodman, Volpe is now hitting.314 with a .929 OPS in his last 12 games since that fateful off-day. There's still a lot of time remaining in the 2023 season, and we're yet to see if this hot streak is an aberration, or the beginning of something special.

While the long-term story remains a mystery, in the short-term, Anthony Volpe has a full stomach, a better-looking approach at the plate, and a stranglehold on the Yankees' starting shortstop position.

Heck, maybe he'll be the next Derek Jeter after all!