Austin Wells hasn’t just been catching games for the Yankees — he’s been catching fire.
Austin Wells crushes first career grand slam as Yankees pile on runs at the Stadium
In the bottom of the seventh, the 24-year-old catcher connected on the biggest swing of his major league career, launching a grand slam into the right-field seats to break open the game and give the Yankees a commanding 12–3 lead. It was the first grand slam of Austin Wells’ career, and another sign that his bat is beginning to show up in big moments.
The timing couldn’t have been better — or more on brand. Earlier this year, Austin Wells quietly launched a second profile on Instagram dedicated to reviewing burritos. That account now has over 80,000 followers, and the posts — which feature everything from New York staples to hidden gems in visiting cities — have gone viral among fans. It’s the kind of personality that endears players to the Bronx faithful. But what keeps them in the lineup is production like this.
Austin Wells made his MLB debut on September 1, 2023, after being promoted from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. In his initial stint with the Yankees, he appeared in 19 games, posting a .229 batting average with four home runs and 13 RBIs. His performance in the latter part of the season hinted at his potential, as he batted .317 with four homers in his final 11 games.
Austin Wells’ grand slam didn’t just energize the Stadium — it also continued a quietly productive stretch for him at the plate. While the Yankees’ catching position has been in flux since spring, Wells has started to earn more playing time, especially against right-handed pitching. Tonight’s home run, his seventh of the season, was further proof of the growing trust manager Aaron Boone has shown him.
The blast also came on a night when Aaron Judge added his 12th homer of the year — a no-doubter to left that drew one of the loudest ovations of the night. The Yankees’ offense, which struggled with consistency early in the season, looked locked in from the first inning and hasn’t let up.
Austin Wells may not be the face of the franchise — not yet. But with power like this, and a personality that’s already winning over fans on and off the field, he’s putting himself firmly in the conversation.
The game isn’t over yet, but if the Yankees hold on, the night will belong to Austin Wells — and his burrito-loving followers will likely have something extra to celebrate.
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