Gary Sheffield Jr. Predicts Anthony Volpe Will Have Long MLB Career — but Not With Yankees

A prominent baseball voice has made a head-turning forecast about New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe, suggesting the 25-year-old will carve out a long major‑league career — just not in pinstripes.

Gary Sheffield Jr., speaking on the BT Unleashed podcast, argued that Volpe has the tools to reach 10 years of MLB service time. “I think he’s going to be one of those guys,” Sheffield Jr. said. “You get 10 years of service time, right? He’s one of those guys you’re like, ‘Man, how did he stick around for a decade?’ And you still have to be a good baseball player to do that. I think Volpe will be around a decade… Not with this team.” Sheffield Jr. added that Volpe will eventually move to second base.

The prediction landed the same night the Yankees beat the Chicago White Sox 9‑5 at Rate Field. Volpe went 1‑for‑4 with an RBI and a strikeout in that game.

The prediction in context

Sheffield Jr.’s comment reflects a mixed verdict on Volpe’s trajectory. After a Gold Glove rookie season and a World Series appearance in his second year (2024), Volpe has struggled to meet the sky‑high expectations that accompanied his first‑round draft pedigree (2019). Through 51 games in 2026, the 25‑year‑old is batting .250 with 39 hits, one home run, 17 RBIs, 18 runs and seven stolen bases. Those numbers are solid but not star‑level for a team that expects its shortstop to be a core contributor.

The “10‑year player” label applied by Sheffield Jr. is significant because it suggests Volpe has a floor as a dependable everyday player even if he never becomes the elite producer fans hoped for when he debuted. The caveat — not with the Yankees — implies that the franchise’s win‑now timeline and its deep farm system of middle‑infield prospects could prompt a change of scenery before Volpe reaches his prime years.

Could a position switch be in store?

Sheffield Jr.’s prediction also included a specific role: second baseman. Volpe has played shortstop exclusively in the majors, but a move to second base would lower defensive demands and potentially improve his overall value. The Yankees have several shortstop options in the pipeline and on the roster, including Jazz Chisholm Jr. (who has split time between center field and second base) and prospect George Lombard Jr. If the organization decides to shift Volpe, it would likely be part of a broader infield reconfiguration.

Volpe has not commented on the prediction, and the Yankees have not indicated any imminent position change. However, the possibility remains a talking point among analysts who follow roster construction around the league.

Why this matters for Yankees fans and MLB observers

For Yankees supporters, the prediction adds another layer to the ongoing debate about Volpe’s future with the club. He is under team control through at least 2029, but the front office must decide whether to commit to him as the long‑term shortstop or explore trades while his value is still tied to his Gold Glove reputation and early playoff experience. For neutral MLB fans, Sheffield Jr.’s take is a reminder that a player can be a valuable big‑leaguer without being a superstar — and that service‑time longevity often comes from adaptability and defense.

The full podcast segment has not been published in transcript form by a primary source. The comments cited here originated from BT Unleashed and were reported by Heavy, then syndicated by Yahoo Sports. No additional on‑the‑record reaction from Volpe or the Yankees was available at the time of writing.

Source: Yahoo Sports (citing Heavy) – https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/yankees-star-anthony-volpe-gets-064006028.html