BOSTON — The Yankees Drafted Austin Wells for His Bat

At first glance, or even just from what you hear now, it might be surprising that the Yankees picked Austin Wells in the first round mainly for his powerful left-handed batting skills.

However, there were concerns—both internally within the organization and among fans—regarding whether Wells would actually develop enough as a catcher to remain behind the plate.

Nowadays, the focus has shifted. The new question is whether he can prove himself as a viable batting option in the lineup.

The Yankees feel optimistic that Wells can make a significant offensive impact. Even though he didn’t manage to get a hit during a recent 4-1 loss against the Red Sox, Wells expressed satisfaction with the strides he has made at the plate since resuming his minor league rehab after a neck strain put him on the injured list.

“I felt more comfortable at the plate than I ever have,” Wells said, reflecting on his game after returning from the IL, despite going 0-for-3 and seeing his batting average dip to .160.

He remarked that he’s working on adding more “tilt” to his swing, something he has flattened out over the years.

The intention here is to avoid needing perfect contact just to get a hit, which makes sense, right?

Still, Wells emphasized that while he worries about his batting performance, his primary focus is on working closely with the pitching staff.

“Hitting isn’t my main priority, but controlling the pitchers is. If I can’t do that, then it doesn’t matter how many hits or RBIs I get. You can’t win games that way,” he explained.

He continues to earn praise from pitchers and coaches alike for his ability to call games and construct pitches effectively.

“Being behind the plate gives you a significant impact, and when you’re top-of-mind, it makes it easier to shake off a few bad at-bats. Sure, if I’m 0-for-3, I’m not thrilled about it. But if I then continue to contribute defensively, that’s what matters,” Wells noted.

Manager Aaron Boone mentioned that he has observed Wells facing offensive struggles at certain points, but not recently.

Boone agreed with Wells, indicating that progress is indeed being made.

“Believe it or not, I think he’s undergoing a significant change right now,” Boone remarked. “He seems to be gaining some momentum, even if the outcomes haven’t fully manifested yet.”

That said, there are still concerns among teammates about whether the mental load of the catching responsibilities could be affecting Wells’s batting.

It’s worth noting, though, that the Yankees aren’t the only team that views the catcher position as primarily defensive.

Still, the team is hoping for better numbers from Wells, as he’s only managed two hits in 17 at-bats since his return, and his OPS is sitting at a concerning .510 as of Sunday—his lowest point since mid-April—especially given the rest of the lineup is struggling.