Yankees can look at Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson for blueprint to handling Anthony Volpe

They believed in the touted infielder, both as a player and a person. They saw enough during his hitting struggles over the first two months of the season — particularly an ability to still draw a walk — to stick with the neophyte even with every game feeling so precious within the AL East.

The Orioles now are benefitting from the confidence and patience with Gunnar Henderson, who was just named the AL Player of the Week.

This is what the Yankees are still envisioning with Anthony Volpe. That their belief in the person and player, and snippets of quality — on the bases, on defense or with a long ball — provide enough bread crumbs that better days are ahead.

Hal Steinbrenner, a few hours before the first pitch of the Subway Series on Tuesday, gave a vote of confidence to Volpe. The Yankees owner made the decision to name Volpe the starting shortstop sound like a marriage — for better or worse — and it would take a lot more than a poor 250-ish plate appearances to trigger divorce proceedings.

Volpe then had two key doubles — one aided by a misplay from Brandon Nimmo — to help the Yankees beat the Mets 7-6 in the Subway Series opener.

Afterward, Volpe revealed that while studying video with 2022 Double-A teammate Austin Wells during Monday’s off-day, they noticed his stance was more open than last season. Did that tip lead to better at-bats Tuesday night? Will that launch Volpe toward better results? Sometimes it is just a matter of time for the talented and serious to fully show their skills.

Anthony Volpe connects on a double against the Mets on Tuesday.Robert Sabo for NY Post

Henderson, for example, was Baseball America’s No. 1 prospect coming into this season, in part based on producing a 125 OPS-plus in a 132-plate appearance cameo late last year with the Orioles. But through May 29 and 175 plate appearances this year, Henderson was hitting just .199 with five homers, but also a .331 on-base percentage thanks to 28 walks.

In the next 10 games, Henderson hit .432 with five homers and a 1.353 OPS to look again like the AL Rookie of the Year favorite he was when the season began.

Here comes a trite, yet true sentence: Playing in the majors is tough. Buck Showalter often mentions that the jump from Triple-A to the majors is the most difficult in sports.

Grayson Rodriguez (No. 6 by Baseball America) was in the argument for best pitching prospect when the season began. Baltimore summoned the righty to be Henderson’s teamamte. He made 10 starts, constructed a 7.35 ERA and was demoted. St. Louis’ Jordan Walker was Baseball America’s fourth-ranked prospect and won an Opening Day roster spot, had initial success and then struggled so much playing the outfield and hitting the ball on the ground that he too was demoted. He returned June 2 and has hit well.

Francisco Alvarez (No. 9 by Baseball America) has impressed on both sides of the ball. Brett Baty (No. 33) had an initial surge and then has struggled.

Volpe was ranked 14th by Baseball America prior to the season. His youth as a major league starter and lifelong goal to be the Yankees shortstop brought him into comparison with Derek Jeter. But that should not be what he is judged against. It would be fairer, I believe, to see how he is doing against his class of shortstops.

Gunnar HendersonGetty Images

Henderson was mostly a minor league shortstop who moved to third in the majors. Elly De La Cruz (No. 8), so electric since his promotion last week, has generally made the same switch to third for the Reds, largely because Matt McLain (not ranked) has been so impressive since being called up May 15. Zack Neto (No. 53) was the 13th pick in last year’s draft, yet was summoned on April 15 and has been a key for the contending Angels. Ezequiel Tovar (No. 17), like Henderson, had a cameo last year, and has had his difficulties at the plate while serving as the Rockies shortstop.

All six of these youngsters are in their age 21 or 22 seasons. All are viewed as cornerstones to their clubs, except perhaps McLain. Of the group, only De La Cruz has not amassed a significant number of plate appearances, though he already is working on a highlight reel with his elite speed and power. It can be argued that Volpe has been the least impressive in this class — it is either him or Tovar right now.

But the Yankees believe in him — the player and the person. To honor that he does not have to outdo Jeter. He does, however, have to compare well with his peer group.