Top Breakout Player For May: New York Yankees

As a new month gets underway in MLB, we'll have a look at some of the biggest breakouts that could be forthcoming in May. Aaron Boone and the New York Yankees, who have been struggling of late, could sure use one. And you don't have to look past the top spot in the order to find their breakout candidate.

Anthony Volpe

The team's top prospect, and one of the top 5 in all of baseball, the 22-year-old shortstop got off to a bit of a middling start, batting just .158 through his first 13 games in Pinstripes. 

But in the past seven games, Volpe is batting .304 with a .385 on-base. He's tallied eight stolen bases in total, tying him for 4th in the American League. 

His move to the leadoff spot midway through the month seemed to ignite the spark that got Volpe going in the right direction. 

Anthony Volpe in his last 14 games:

.292/.404/.458, 2 HR, .862 OPS

Volpe’s bat might be here everyone pic.twitter.com/zJSwmnwWp6

— Addison (@YankeeWRLD) April 26, 2023

With the immense pressure that comes not only with being the Yankees shortstop, and batting leadoff, but also in adjusting to the major leagues as a 21-year-old (when the season began), he's shown tremendous poise and plate discipline. Having grown up idolizing Derek Jeter, he had the role model to inspire him. 

Another legendary Yankee, his current teammate Aaron Judge, summed it up best when he said of Volpe, "You wouldn’t know he’s 21.” As of three days ago, he's now 22. 

And ready for a May breakout. 

Photo: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports