Jose Caballero’s Big Opportunity: Can He Lock Down Shortstop for the Yankees?
Anthony Volpe won’t be in the Yankees’ Opening Day lineup this season, sidelined by a partially torn labrum in his throwing arm. That injury opens the door at shortstop-and Jose Caballero is stepping through it with confidence.
Acquired from the Rays at last year’s trade deadline, Caballero made an immediate impression in pinstripes. Now, with Volpe on the mend, Caballero isn’t just looking to fill in.
He wants the job. Full-time.
And based on what we saw in 2025, he’s got a real shot to earn it.
Caballero’s Skill Set Is Built for This Moment
“I’ll try to take advantage of the opportunity and show everyone that I can play every day,” Caballero said after the trade. And make no mistake-his numbers back that up.
In 370 plate appearances last season, Caballero slashed .236/.339/.347. That might not jump off the page at first glance, but dig a little deeper and you’ll find a player who impacts the game in multiple ways.
He swiped 49 bases, ranking in the 92nd percentile in baserunning value. That’s elite territory.
Defensively, he posted a 90th percentile range (6 Outs Above Average) and a 74th percentile arm strength-metrics that point to a shortstop who can more than hold his own.
The Yankees don’t need a slugger at shortstop right now. They need someone who can make plays, get on base, and keep the defense tight up the middle. Caballero checks all those boxes.
The Offense: Still Developing, But Trending Up
Offensively, Caballero is still a work in progress-but there are signs of real growth. His 12.7% walk rate landed him in the 90th percentile, a huge leap from his previous seasons. That’s not just a blip-that’s a player figuring out how to control the strike zone.
Now, the downside: his expected batting average (.218) was in the 7th percentile, and his exit velocity numbers are near the bottom of the league. That tells us he’s not hitting the ball particularly hard, which limits his power ceiling.
But here’s the counterpunch-when he does connect, he’s making it count. His 36.5% sweet-spot rate (71st percentile) shows he’s finding the barrel more often than most.
So what’s the missing piece? Consistency. And Caballero knows it.
“It’s Hard to Hit When You’re Not Playing”
Caballero didn’t mince words when asked about his offensive rhythm. “I’m not saying this is an excuse,” he said, “but sometimes whenever you are on the bench for a few days, it’s not easy to get back in there and hit. If you get seven at-bats in a week, it’s hard to hit.”
He’s not wrong. Hitting is about timing, and timing is about reps.
Caballero’s .236 average came in a part-time role, and yet his advanced metrics suggest there’s more in the tank. If the Yankees commit to giving him everyday at-bats, it’s not hard to imagine that average creeping into the .240-.250 range.
Pair that with elite defense and disruptive speed on the basepaths, and you’re looking at a player who can make a real impact.
A Real Position Battle Is Brewing
Let’s be clear: Anthony Volpe is still the Yankees’ shortstop of the future. But the present? That’s up for grabs.
Volpe struggled at the plate last season, hitting just .212 with below-average defensive metrics. If Caballero opens the season strong-let’s say he’s hitting .250 with elite defense-it’s not out of the question that he keeps the job even when Volpe is healthy. That’s not a knock on Volpe; it’s a credit to what Caballero brings to the table.
His 90th percentile range and 73rd percentile sprint speed give the Yankees something they’ve lacked in recent years: dependable infield defense. And if he proves he can hit enough to stay in the lineup, it’s going to be tough for Aaron Boone to take him out of it.
No Matter What Happens, the Yankees Win
Caballero turns 29 this year. He’s in his defensive prime, hungry for a bigger role, and finally getting the chance to show what he can do over a full stretch of games. Whether he becomes the Yankees’ everyday shortstop or settles into a super-utility role once Volpe returns, this is a win for New York.
If Caballero seizes this moment and forces the coaching staff to make a tough decision, that’s a good problem to have. And if Volpe bounces back and reclaims the job? Then Caballero becomes arguably the best utility infielder in baseball.
Either way, the Yankees are deeper, more versatile, and better defensively than they were a year ago. And that’s the kind of quiet roster move that can pay big dividends over a long season.