The Yankees’ search for a dependable bat to complement Aaron Judge in the lineup hit a roadblock when Alex Verdugo‘s early-season success tapered off. However, manager Aaron Boone may have uncovered a promising solution in the form of rookie backstop Austin Wells.
The rookie has thrived since being promoted to the fourth spot in the batting order. Over his last 53 at-bats, the young catcher has posted an impressive .358 average, while slugging two home runs and driving in nine runs. His plate discipline has also been noteworthy, as evidenced by his seven walks during this stretch.
The rookie’s impact was on full display during the opening game of Wednesday’s doubleheader against the Angels. Austin Wells delivered a strong performance, going 2-for-4 at the plate, driving in a run, and drawing a walk. His contributions played a crucial role in the Yankees’ 5-2 victory over Los Angeles.
Austin Wells’ emergence as a reliable presence behind Judge has provided a much-needed boost to the Yankees’ offense, potentially solving one of the team’s persistent challenges this season. Boone expressed confidence in his performance, suggesting that the rookie needed time to adjust to the major league level. The manager noted that the catcher is now reaping the benefits of regular, everyday at-bats and the experience Austin Wells has gained with the team.
“I think this is what he is and it just took him a minute to get it,” Boone said about Austin Wells on Wednesday. “ And now he’s getting regular, everyday at-bats. The experience he’s gained up here. He’s got a little bit settled. Being a catcher in the major leagues is not an easy thing to do. And when you’re a rookie catcher and coming into a veteran-laden staff, you have to handle that side of the ball first, and he’s been so committed to that side of the ball and maybe it took a minute for the offense to catch up a little bit, but it certainly has.”
Recognizing the challenges faced by rookie catchers, particularly those working with a veteran-heavy pitching staff, Boone praised Austin Wells’ dedication to his defensive responsibilities. However, he felt that this focus on defense might have initially delayed the catcher’s offensive contributions, but now his batting has caught up to expectations.
Austin Wells’ adjustment period lasted about two and a half months. Serving as the backup catcher to Jose Trevino, he was batting just .214 entering July. Despite the unfavorable statistics, metrics indicated that Wells was experiencing a streak of bad luck, with his expected batting average (xBA) significantly higher than his actual average.
Austin Wells turnaround comes at right time for Yankees
Austin Wells considered altering his mechanics when his season didn’t start as planned but ultimately decided to stick with his approach and game plan. He acknowledged that consistent playing time, especially after Jose Trevino’s injury and subsequent placement on the IL on July 13, allowed him to focus less on immediate results and more on his overall performance.
The rookie catcher attributed his turnaround to the nature of baseball itself. He explained that he maintained a good approach and plan from the beginning of the season, but the results took time to manifest. Austin Wells noted that his recent success over the past month and a half has boosted his confidence, enabling him to contribute more effectively to the team’s offensive output.
“[That’s] Just baseball,” he told. “Having a good approach, good plan at the beginning of the season but not getting results was where I was at. And now getting results here in the last month and a half has helped me produce and move the lineup. That’s given me a lot of confidence to go out there and perform.”
Austin Wells also spoke about the advantages of batting behind Aaron Judge. When asked about how he feels when teams intentionally walk Judge to face him, Wells showed an understanding of the strategy. He views these situations as opportunities, not personal affronts, appreciating the chance to hit with Judge on base. Austin Wells noted the opposing team’s logic in walking Judge but emphasized the responsibility of the lineup to capitalize on these moments.
“If I was them, I’d be walking Judge too,” the catcher said. “I’m not taking it personal, but I look forward to the challenge. Having a guy on base, and getting a hit with Judgey on base, I’ll take it every time. Obviously, you want to see him hit and do damage…As the opposing team, it makes sense to put him on first and attack the rest of the guys. For us, It’s our job to get on and try to keep moving the lineup.”
Since Austin Wells started batting cleanup on July 20, the Yankees have gone 9-6 heading into the second game of Wednesday’s doubleheader, with improved lineup performance. Despite the pressure of hitting in the cleanup spot and protecting Judge, Wells has embraced the challenge. He attributes part of his success to observing Juan Soto and Judge’s at-bats, which provides valuable insights into pitch sequences and boosts his confidence.
Austin Wells explained that batting behind these All-Stars has been beneficial to his performance. Watching Soto and Judge’s at-bats allows him to see a variety of pitches up close, which in turn gives him the confidence to have quality at-bats and make good contact. The rookie emphasized his positive attitude toward this role, stating that he has welcomed and enjoyed the opportunity to hit such a crucial spot in the lineup.
Can Austin Wells cash in on free passes to Judge?
Austin Wells has taken on increased responsibilities since Jose Trevino’s injury last month, stepping up as the Yankees‘ primary catcher. Alongside his expanded role behind the plate, he has been tasked with the challenging role of batting cleanup, protecting Aaron Judge in the lineup.
Since moving to the cleanup spot, Austin Wells has shown improved hitting performance. However, following a series against the Blue Jays where Judge was frequently walked, the pressure is now on him and Giancarlo Stanton, who bats behind him, to capitalize on these opportunities and discourage teams from walking Judge.
Austin Wells acknowledged the pressure and opportunity that comes with batting behind one of baseball’s top hitters. He welcomed the challenge and expressed enthusiasm for the big moments this position affords him.
The Blue Jays series underscored this dynamic, with Judge receiving four intentional walks and two traditional walks. Austin Wells went 1-for-5 with a walk in response to these free passes. Notably, Judge did not score on any of the occasions he intentionally walked, highlighting the critical nature of the rookie’s’ role in making opposing teams reconsider this strategy.
Austin Wells addressed the scenario of batting after Juan Soto, particularly when Aaron Judge is intentionally walked. He observed that this situation often arises when a left-handed pitcher is on the mound, a challenge he has embraced. The catcher emphasized that while the team prefers Judge to hit, it’s the responsibility of the rest of the lineup to step up when Judge doesn’t get the opportunity.
“I think being behind arguably the best hitter of all time already, that puts you in a position to have big at-bats in big situations,” Austin Wells told before the Angels series. “For me, I welcome that and I look forward to the challenge every chance I get.”
The effectiveness of Austin Wells as a threat behind Judge is still being tested, especially if other teams adopt the Blue Jays’ strategy. Currently, Wells stands as the Yankees’ most potent offensive option in that crucial lineup spot.
After a slow start to the season, Austin Wells has found consistent production in recent months. Since April 24, he has maintained a .275 batting average with a .833 OPS and eight home runs over 61 games, including 51 starts. His performance has further improved over his last 30 starts since June 6, boasting a .299 batting average, a .923 OPS, and seven home runs.
Austin Wells’ productivity has surged significantly since Jose Trevino’s quad strain on July 12 in Baltimore. As of Wednesday, Austin Wells had started 15 of the 17 games since then, posting an impressive .316 batting average with a .949 OPS and three home runs.
His recent surge in performance has coincided with his shift to the cleanup spot, taking over from a struggling Alex Verdugo in the second game after the All-Star break. Since this adjustment, Austin Wells has posted a .347 batting average with a .944 OPS while batting behind Aaron Judge. Although the sample size is limited, this marks the highest production from any player the Yankees have used in the cleanup position this season.
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