Austin Wells is proving he’s more than ready to take on a full-time role as the New York Yankees’ starting catcher. The 25-year-old has been an absolute force at the plate this spring, entering Saturday’s game with an impressive .366 batting average, five home runs, 10 RBIs, and a .780 OPS. Not only has Wells been consistent offensively, but he’s also been a standout in getting on base at a solid .319 clip, scoring 10 runs along the way.
As a former first-round pick in 2020 and a third-place finisher in AL Rookie of the Year voting, Wells has continued to shine, offering much-needed stability amidst the team’s injury woes. His performance this spring has generated a lot of excitement about his potential as the undisputed starter.
On Friday night, Wells further solidified his spring dominance, blasting two home runs against the Detroit Tigers. The first came in style, with a leadoff homer that sailed far beyond the right-field fence. In the seventh inning, Wells added another gem, smacking an opposite-field, 383-foot shot.
His power and consistency have caught the eye of Yankees fans, with many excited about his potential as a key piece of the team’s future. One fan on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, “Austin Wells could definitely become that legit left-handed bat this team has lacked for years.” Another fan chimed in with, “I just want to know what they were feeding Ben Rice and Austin Wells all offseason because my god.”
With the way he’s performed, it seems almost certain Wells will become the Yankees’ starting catcher, and potentially the first to hit leadoff in the lineup. Manager Aaron Boone has even hinted at the possibility of alternating Wells and veteran first baseman Paul Goldschmidt at the top of the order, giving Wells even more of a chance to make an impact early in the season. The stage is set for Wells to have a breakout year.
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