Yankees’ Catcher Situation Under Scrutiny
On Thursday, Brian Cashman didn’t hold back when discussing the challenges facing the Yankees at the catcher position. “It’s clearly a problem,” he noted, which was, well, pretty evident to anyone following the team.
However, a glimmer of hope emerged as Austin Wells connected for home runs in back-to-back games after previously hitting just one in a span of 38 games leading up to May 1st. While the Yankees still need to bolster their catcher position as the trade deadline approaches, those two home runs provided a much-needed boost for a player who has struggled mightily at the plate this season.
“Hopefully he can continue to build on that,” said manager Aaron Boone before the Yankees’ 4-2 victory against the Nationals on Saturday night, where Wells went 0-for-2. “We need him to build on that because he should be a part of our offense.”
Wells hit a homer against Rays pitcher Cam Boozer during Thursday’s match and followed it up with a significant solo shot against Nationals pitcher Justin Lawrence in the ninth inning on Friday, giving the team a breather after Jazz Chisholm Jr. had driven in a go-ahead hit.
These moments were reminders of the offensive potential Wells displayed more consistently in his earlier years, although it has mostly vanished this season.
Entering that game, Wells had a batting average of just .153 and an OPS of .504, with six home runs to his name. His average, currently at .151, and OPS were the lowest among all batters with over 200 at-bats, and his WRC+ of 42—the second lowest—put him significantly below league average.
“Defensively, I think we’re doing well,” Cashman stated on Thursday. “Offensively, we’re struggling, which is surprising. We believe in the abilities of our players, but the challenges they are facing are concerning. They’re working hard to improve in that area; I’m sure of it, but it’s clear they are struggling.”
Wells had spent time on the injured list in June due to neck issues, but he worked with minor league hitting coaches at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to refine his technique. Boone insists he notices a change in Wells’ approach since his return on June 21, even if visual evidence hasn’t reflected much difference before the recent games.
“I’m not glossing over it,” Boone remarked. “Since I came back, I have seen him moving the needle in terms of his mechanics and approach. It might not be noticeable to everyone, but I see it as he takes the field.”
Wells’ importance isn’t just about hitting; the Yankees highly value his connection with the pitching staff and are cautious not to disrupt that with minimal internal replacements available. When asked about moving Wells to Triple-A for improvement, Cashman only hinted at having “the tools at our disposal.”
Whether Wells’ recent performance indicates a turning point or is just a temporary upswing remains to be seen, but it certainly adds a bit of relief in the now.
“I didn’t feel any resistance,” Boone added. “Struggles affect you, though. I’ve been there myself. But the last few days, making an impact at the plate, should help him find some stability.”
