Wells wields Austin power, solidifies cleanup role in Yankees lineup
- August 11, 2024
- 8:55 am
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Follow UsIn the opening game of Saturday’s doubleheader at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees cruised to an 8-0 win over the Rangers, with Aaron Judge delivering three solid hits. However, it was Austin Wells, batting cleanup, who stole the spotlight by driving in a career-high four runs, signaling his potential to fill a crucial role in the Yankees’ lineup.
Wells went 2-for-5 at the plate, showcasing the kind of performance that could solidify his position as the team’s cleanup hitter for the remainder of the season. Manager Aaron Boone now has more reason to consider the rookie backstop for this key spot.
Reflecting on his game, Wells emphasized his focus on driving in runs and credited his success to his teammates. He explained his approach as seeking out pitches in the strike zone that he could connect with effectively. Rather than swinging for the fences, Wells made adjustments to focus on solid contact, differentiating himself from some of his power-hitting counterparts.
“It’s worked out so far,” Wells said. “I was trying to get something over the plate that I could hit and have some success. For me, there was a little bit of adjusting, not trying to hit the ball 500 feet like they do,’’ said Wells, more focused on getting “a good pitch to hit.’’
A pivotal moment came when Wells smacked a two-run single up the middle, pushing the Yankees’ lead to 6-0—plenty of support for the pitching staff that day.
With Judge drawing more intentional walks of late, Yankees management would likely be satisfied with teams pitching around him if Wells continues to deliver in the cleanup spot.
Wells’ standout performance indicates he could bring the consistency the Yankees have been searching for in the heart of their lineup, potentially solving their ongoing need for a reliable cleanup hitter.
Since being slotted behind Juan Soto and Aaron Judge in the batting order, Austin Wells has seized the opportunity to thrive, benefiting from the disciplined approaches of the two hitters ahead of him. He remarked that their knack for seeing a lot of pitches gives him valuable insight into the pitcher’s strategy before he steps up to the plate.
Wells’ consistency at the plate has been evident, reaching base multiple times in 11 of his last 14 starts. His offensive output has provided crucial support for starting pitcher Carlos Rodón, who pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings with six strikeouts, despite issuing five walks.
Since manager Aaron Boone moved Wells into the cleanup spot on July 20 against the Rays, the young hitter has been on a hot streak. Over the past 15 games, the rookie backstop has posted impressive numbers, collecting 22 hits in 64 at-bats for a .349 average, along with eight walks, two home runs, and 13 RBIs. His slash line during this stretch—.349/.419/.524—has resulted in a strong .943 OPS.
Boone has expressed his pleasure with Wells’ performance, noting that the player seems to have found his rhythm and is now comfortable in his role. The manager acknowledged that he initially struggled, hitting just .196 with a .578 OPS through his first 125 plate appearances (37 games) up to June 6. Boone pointed out that it took time for the catcher to adjust to the major leagues, but he has since become a vital part of the lineup’s middle.
“He’s just gone in there and felt real settled to me,’’ the Yankees manager told about Wells. “It took a minute at this level to get it going. He’s now a big part to that middle of the lineup.’’
The Yankees have been searching for a steady cleanup hitter since Giancarlo Stanton landed on the injured list with a left hamstring strain on June 23. While others like Gleyber Torres and Alex Verdugo faltered in the role, Wells has risen to the challenge. His recent success suggests he is likely to hold onto the fourth spot in the batting order moving forward.
Austin Wells’ great defense silences doubters
Austin Wells’ impact for the Yankees extended beyond his batting as he showcased his defensive capabilities, expertly handling 5.2 scoreless innings from Carlos Rodón during a game where the Yankees’ pitchers held their opponents to just five hits.
When Wells was drafted in the first round in 2020, his offensive potential was seen as his primary path to the majors, while his defensive skills were viewed as needing development. However, that narrative has shifted. He has made substantial strides in his defensive game, earning the trust of pitchers like Rodón, who pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings against Texas under Wells’ guidance.
Rodon had high praise for his’ defense, noting that the young catcher has been exceptional since joining the team. He specifically highlighted Wells’ improved pitch-calling, which was instrumental in helping Rodón navigate a challenging outing that included five walks.
Reflecting on his earlier experience with Wells during a rehab assignment last year, Rodón expressed admiration for the catcher’s growth both on and off the field. He acknowledged that he has lived up to the Yankees’ expectations with his bat and has exceeded them defensively. Rodón encouraged Wells to keep his focus, continue his aggressive approach at the plate, and maintain the high level of play he has shown both offensively and defensively.
“Defensively, he’s been outstanding since he’s been here,’’ said Rodon. “I threw to Austin in one of my rehab outings last year, and I was very impressed with how he is as a man. Obviously, he is a great player. You see the bat come around. Defensively, he is outstanding. Since he has been here, you have seen what the Yankees saw from him with the bat. I want him to keep his head down, keep attacking in the box, put pretty good at-bats together and catch the ball.”
Wells’ overall statistics have also seen a notable uptick. He has raised his batting average to .251, along with an impressive .346 on-base percentage and a .762 OPS. Additionally, he has hit eight home runs. As of the start of Saturday’s doubleheader, Wells ranked fourth among catchers in fWAR at 2.7, despite playing in only 77 games. He trails only Patrick Bailey of the San Francisco Giants (3.7 fWAR in 89 games), William Contreras of the Milwaukee Brewers (3.3 fWAR in 111 games), and Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners (3.2 fWAR in 111 games).
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