Spring training stats don’t define a season, but for players on the cusp of bigger roles, every at-bat matters. Austin Wells knows that.
In the Yankees’ 7-0 win over the Cardinals on Wednesday, the 25-year-old catcher wasted no time making an impact. In the third inning, with the bases loaded, Wells turned on a 91.3 mph sinker from Cardinals pitcher Mosqueda, sending a 103.9 mph rocket into left-center for a two-run double. It was a glimpse of the power the Yankees believe he can bring to the lineup, the kind that could solidify his place behind the plate this season.
His first game of the spring underscored why the Yankees are giving him a long look. With Jose Trevino gone, the door is open for Wells to seize the No. 1 catcher job. Whether he can do it depends on more than just his bat—but Tuesday’s swing was a reminder of what he can add to this roster.
Why Austin Wells matters for the Yankees
The Yankees have been searching for a long-term answer at catcher ever since Jorge Posada retired after the 2011 season.
Wells, however, offers something different.
Drafted 28th overall in 2020, he has been viewed as a bat-first catcher since his college days at Arizona. His left-handed swing is built for power, and in his first MLB action last season, he showed flashes of why the Yankees believe in him. In 19 games, he hit .229/.257/.486 with four home runs, including a two-homer game against the Blue Jays in late September.
Now, he’s positioning himself as a real factor in the Yankees’ lineup—perhaps sooner than expected.
“He’s always had a great approach at the plate,” one team source said. “It’s just about refining his defensive work and making sure he can handle the staff.”
A bat that could balance the lineup
The Yankees have no shortage of right-handed power with Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, but Wells provides a left-handed threat with pop, something they’ve lacked at the catcher position.
Manager Aaron Boone has hinted that Wells will get opportunities to prove himself this spring, and Wednesday’s game was a step in that direction. After working extensively this offseason on his receiving and game-calling, he’s out to show he can handle a pitching staff while still producing at the plate.
His defensive progress remains the key factor. While the Yankees value another ability to steal strikes, they also need offense from the position. If Austin Wells can be even league-average defensively, his bat might make him too valuable to keep on the bench.
At the moment, Austin Wells is expected to be the number 1 catcher following Jose Trevino’s exit.
If he hits the way the Yankees believe he can, it’s easy to envision him carving out a larger role—perhaps even forcing his way into the everyday lineup.
For now, Wells is letting his bat do the talking. His double on Wednesday was just a spring training highlight, but it was also a reminder that his time is coming.
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