The New York Yankees have had many nice catchers all through their historical past. Gamers like Yogi Berra, Elston Howard, and Thurman Munson come to thoughts. Nonetheless, since Jorge Posada retired, New York hasn’t discovered any long-term stability on the place. Since 2012, the Yankees have had seven totally different receivers. Nonetheless, younger backstop Austin Wells is on observe to be the following nice Yankees catcher.
A Revolving Door At The Place
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The Yankees have had many nice catchers all through their historical past. The workforce has two catchers which can be immortalized within the Baseball Corridor of Fame. 5 others are enshrined in Monument Park. Nonetheless, since Jorge Posada retired in 2012, there was no stability on the place. Russell Martin, Jose Trevino, Austin Romine, Chris Stewart, Brian McCann, Gary Sanchez, and Kyle Higashioka have all been starters over time. Nonetheless, none of them proved to be everlasting options.
Destined To Be A Yankees
Austin Wells at all times appeared destined to be a Yankee. He was first drafted by the workforce in 2018 within the 35th spherical out of Bishop Gorman Excessive College. Nonetheless, he didn’t signal and as an alternative dedicated to the College of Arizona. Two years later, Wells was once more drafted by the Yankees, besides this time within the first spherical. New York signed Wells and gave him a $2.5 million bonus. Because of the pandemic, the Yankees’ first-round decide wouldn’t be capable of start his growth till the next 12 months.
Rapidly Incomes A Name Up
Regardless of having his growth delayed a 12 months, it took him simply three years to succeed in the massive leagues. Austin Wells at one level was ranked as excessive as 96th on MLB’s high 100 prospect listing. The then-23-year-old would obtain his name to the present in early September of 2023. On September 20th, he would hit his first profession dwelling run off Blue Jays reliever Erik Swanson. In 19 video games, Wells slashed .229/.257/.486 with 4 homers, 13 RBI, and an OPS of .742.
A Stable Rookie Yr
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In 2024, the Yankees introduced that Austin Wells could be on the workforce proper out of spring coaching. Nonetheless, Jose Trevino would nonetheless be the first catcher. Wells acquired off to a chilly and unfortunate begin throughout the first three months of the season. He would finally discover his approach in June and July. In mid-July, Trevino suffered a quad pressure that will preserve him out of the lineup for over a month. The previous first-round decide took benefit, and the workforce would finally identify him the first catcher in August. Austin Wells would end his rookie 12 months with a slash line of .229/.322/.395 with 13 dwelling runs, 55 RBI, and a .718 OPS. He would additionally end third within the AL Rookie of the Yr voting behind Colton Cowser and teammate Luis Gil.
Whereas Wells’s bat was typically raved about within the minors, it was his protection that caught everybody without warning. Austin Wells proved he may be a fantastic defensive catcher. He completed 2024 with +11 defensive runs saved and threw out 25.6% of would-be base stealers. Austin Wells additionally helped the Yankees’ pitching workers an general ERA of three.74, which was tied for the fourth finest within the American League. The one groups with a greater general ERA have been the Mariners, Guardians, and Tigers.
Austin Wells Is Beginning Off 2025 On A Constructive Be aware
After a stable 2024 season, expectations are solely going to get larger for the 25-year-old. Now that Jose Trevino is gone, the Yankees are relying on Austin Wells to contribute positively on offense and lead the pitching workers. Wells is already beginning the season off on a optimistic notice by hitting two homers within the first two video games of the 12 months. He not too long ago grew to become the primary catcher since 1900 to hit a leadoff dwelling run on Opening Day.
The Future Is Vivid
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Since 2012, the Yankees have had a revolving door on the catcher place. Nonetheless, Austin Wells will be the franchise’s subsequent nice catcher. Whereas most catchers specialised in both offense or protection, Wells has the uncommon skill of being good at each phases of the sport. That is one thing that isn’t typically seen in right now’s sport. The long run is vivid for Austin Wells and the Yankees.
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