CHICAGO, IL — Anthony Volpe has become the new whipping boy for Yankees fans this season as his whole game — both offense and defense — have regressed in 2025, despite what manager Aaron Boone says about the 24 year-old’s performance.

When Volpe caught the final out of the Yankees 10-2 drubbing of the Chicago White Sox on Friday, it signaled the end of his second multi-hit game in a row. Before Thursday, Volpe had not had a multi hit game since his four-hit game in Miami on August first — on the road.

It seems to be a common theme now that Volpe’s best offensive performances lately have been on the road, prompting me to dig deeper in the numbers between Volpe’s home and away splits this season.

Volpe has started the same amount of games on the road as he has at home this season, and the numbers show a stark difference, and it is very clear that Volpe’s best offensive performance comes on the road.

While the power numbers are better at home, the overall offensive numbers are much better on the road. It also needs to be mentioned that some of the home runs at Yankee Stadium might only be home runs in two out of the 30 ballparks (Yankee Stadium and George M. Steinbrenner Field).

The other factor that plays into the drastic difference between Volpe’s home and road performance is the mental side of the game. Yankee Stadium isn’t just another ballpark—it’s a pressure cooker. Fans in the Bronx are notorious for their ruthlessness, quick to voice displeasure over even the smallest mistake. That atmosphere can create an added layer of tension for a young player still carving out his identity in the majors. While both Volpe and the Yankees have publicly stated that he does a good job tuning out the noise and locking in on his on-field responsibilities, the reality is that it’s nearly impossible to fully ignore. The boos echoing from the stands aren’t the only reminders—criticism quickly snowballs through the media, talk shows, and social platforms, amplifying the scrutiny that comes with wearing pinstripes.

Even if Volpe isn’t consciously distracted, the constant hum of negativity at home compared to the relative quiet and freedom of the road can have a subtle impact on his approach and confidence. On the road, he’s just another player in enemy territory, with less pressure to carry the weight of fan expectations. At home, every at-bat feels magnified, every slump dissected in real time. That psychological toll — whether admitted or not — could be a key factor behind his struggles at Yankee Stadium compared to his freer, looser performances away from it.

The Yankees are a better team with Volpe being productive in the lineup, and hopefully Volpe’s recent performance is the start of a hot streak coming.