Yankees’ Aaron Boone on Catcher Austin Wells’ Offensive Struggles
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Having played the game himself, Aaron Boone understands that diagnosing and addressing a batter’s slump is trickier from the dugout than it is from the batter’s box.
As Austin Wells continues to struggle offensively, Boone has his thoughts on what’s affecting the Yankees catcher.
“It seems to me like he’s consciously trying to take a different approach,” Boone said. “When that happens, you can sometimes find yourself waiting, and it might be tough to get in the groove. Everyone has their own rhythm, but sometimes you can feel stuck. You might even just need to say, ‘Go.’ I think on certain pitches, he’s not as precise as he could be.”
“From where I sit, it’s sometimes easier to spot these things, but I believe if he gets himself on time, he can definitely have an impact. That’s what I expect, and I really hope he can string together a few successful at-bats to regain his confidence.”
Boone decided to take Wells out of the lineup on Friday after the team had a day off Thursday, hoping this brief reset would help him find clarity as J.C. Escala continues to earn more playing time.
For a player like Wells, being part of the lineup is crucial, especially given the strength of the pitching staff he faces. His ongoing offensive challenges have become a noticeable issue. In Saturday night’s 6-4 loss to the Athletics, he went 2-for-1, which was a small improvement, bringing his average and OPS to .180 and .568 across 43 games.
Wells’ numbers indicate he’s not just been unlucky. Early in the season, he was hitting the ball well and drawing walks, but he seems to have regressed in both areas in May.
“As a batter, it’s important to get off to starts, have movement, and make adjustments to be aggressive,” Boone commented. “You can get lost in the details and it can feel overwhelming. But you need to be able to shut it down and put the brakes on. Wells has that potential, but it appears he might be feeling a bit stagnant. You can try to redirect, but sometimes that leads to uncertainty.”
