Caballero vs Volpe

Paul Semendinger
May 2
2 min read

by Paul Semendinger

May 2, 2026

***

As Anthony Volpe gets set to return to the Yankees, let's look at some statistics and compare him to the player "filling-in" for him - Jose Caballero.

Both players arrived in the big leagues in 2023.

Jose Caballero has led the American League in Stolen Bases each of the last two seasons and is leading the A.L. in steals again in 2026. The fewest steals he has ever had in a season is 26.

The most stolen bases Anthony Volpe has ever had in a season is 28.

Anthony Volpe's lifetime OPS+ is 83. Jose Caballero's is not much better. It is 88. But, since becoming a Yankee, Caballero's OPS+ the last two seasons have been 129 in 2025 and 98 (thus far) in 2026.
Jose Caballero is currently batting .267 in the Major Leagues. In the four games (a small sample size), Anthony Volpe batted .267 in Triple-A.

Jose Caballero's lifetime batting average is .232. Anthony Volpe's is .222.

Jose Caballero's lifetime On Base Percentage is .316. Anthony Volpe's is .283.

Anthony Volpe's lifetime Slugging Percentage better's Jose Caballero's: .379 to .346.

Both players have identical OPS numbers at .662

Anthony Volpe has earned 8.4 WAR over 472 games. Jose Caballero has earned 8.2 WAR over 399 games.

In 2026, Jose Caballero was second in the American League in Defensive WAR. In 2026, Anthony Volpe led the American League in errors.

Anthony Volpe has earned 5.3 Defensive WAR over 472 games. Jose Caballero has earned 4.3 Defensive WAR over 399 games.
Both players average 1.8 Defensive WAR over 162 games.

Over the last two weeks, Jose Caballero is batting .341 with 3 home runs.

Over time, Anthony Volpe might prove to be the better player, but right now, it seems very clear to note that in every area (except slugging) Jose Caballero has proven to be his equal or better.

The Yankees are in first place with a 21-11 record. Their shortstop has been Jose Caballero.

Until or unless Jose Caballero demonstrates that he is not the better player than Anthony Volpe, he should be the Yankees starting shortstop.

There is no indication, based on Major League performance, across their careers, that Anthony Volpe is a better player than Jose Caballero.

As far as I am concerned, Anthony Volpe should not be simply given the position when he is called up. In sports, a player has to earn their position. Anthony Volpe has not earned the starting shortstop job for the 2026 Yankees. Jose Caballero has.

9 Comments

Edwin Ng

May 02

Forget the statistics comparison between Cabbie and Volpe. I know it you know it Cabbie is way better SS than Volpe in every facet of the game. Whether it fielding throwing hitting stealing bases etc. CABBIE far better player than Volpe.

Edited

fuster

May 03

Replying to

hitting for power?

defense?

I 'm unsure that the respective records of the players fully support the claim that Caballero is the far better player.

Caballero is better at some aspects of the game, not all.

Volpe has a relatively weak arm for a shortstop, Caballero has a better one.

Volpe is pretty good at stealing for a guy without great foot speed

Caballero is very good at stealing bases for a guy without great foot speed.

neither player has demonstrated great offensive prowess, neither has demonstrated the likelihood of becoming a Hall of Fame player, but both have played more than satisfactory defense at a central defensive position.

fuster

May 02

understood.

you've addressed whether Caballero should supplant Volpe at shortstop upon Volpe's return.

that your focus.

I understand what you've written and well understand that Caballero has performed admirably in Volpe's absence and has earned proper consideration.

you've raised a point and addressed it well and properly.

I dont quite agree with the thought that we must limit ourselves to that point, must not enlarge the field of focus.

i would suggest that Caballero is not any great deal better than Volpe and that both players receive playing time while the organization contemplates Door #3.

both V and C have provided morethan competent defense at shortstop.... and good D is, traditionally, the primary task for the position.

but, with the…

Alan B.

May 02

Caballero should not be the starting SS when Volpe is ready. In fact, I'd get an extension in Volpe's rehab to the full 30 days, and not rush him back because of how Caballero has played.

I was never a big believer in letting Volpe play every damn day, every inning. In the minors today these guys all have one hard dsy off a week. Volpe collapsed in September 2023. From Chicken

Psrm till then he did hit a solid .250. If there is a New York athlete who has gotten less coaching than Anthony Volpe, please tell me. When national broadcasts and MLBN can show us what Volpe is doing wrong, but he continues to fo it, is it…

fantasyfb3313

May 02

Replying to

TOTALLY agree with you that Volpe should NEVER AGAIN be allowed to play every day!! he should get 1 game off every week and sometimes 2!!

also agree with you that Caballero is more valuable to the team when he is providing above average to very good defense at 5 or 6 positions!

just because Cabby does not start at SS does not mean he cannot play 5 games a week. he SHOULD play at least 4 games every week

AND

in games he does not start he just becomes a weapon waiting to be deployed in the perfect spot!!

if Lombard is truly the great defensive SS people seem to believe him to be, then perhaps the best deployment…

fuster

May 02

try comparing Caballero's/Volpe's value to McMahon's and to Rosario's

Robert Malchman

May 03

Replying to

I could see platooning Cabby at 3B with McMahon when they need more defense than Rosario can muster (such as when Fried is pitching), and platoon Cabby at 2B with Jazz on days when you can live with Rosey at 3B.

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