Yankees two-way star Austin Wells charges into MLB rookie award race

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Until the All-Star break, Luis Gil initially appeared poised to lead the Yankees charge for the AL Rookie of the Year award. However, Austin Wells‘ ample showcase of two-way talent puts him as the frontrunner for it as the Bombers cruise toward playoffs.

The Yankees’ focus remains on capturing the AL East crown, but Austin Wells’ emergence as a potent cleanup hitter and reliable defensive catcher has been a game-changer. His contributions have not only boosted the Yankees’ postseason push but also made him a serious contender for rookie honors.

Jose Trevino, Austin Wells’ fellow backstop, has been one of his strongest advocates. Trevino praised his junior for his all-around game, emphasizing the catcher’s often-underappreciated defensive skills. He argued that Austin Wells’ impact on both sides of the ball makes a compelling case for Rookie of the Year consideration.

“Absolutely, he’s doing a great job on both sides of the baseball,” the elder backstop said about Austin Wells. “I think that’s very important, and I think it’s underrated what he’s doing right now, especially behind the plate. I think it’s going very unnoticed, but it should be definitely worth the conversation of Rookie of the Year.”

Austin Wells’ statistical resume backs up his case

As of the latest figures, Austin Wells leads all AL rookies in fWAR at 3.7, outpacing key rivals like Colton Cowser of the Orioles (3.4 fWAR), Wilyer Abreu of the Red Sox (3.0 fWAR), and teammate Luis Gil (2.5 fWAR).

Luis Gil remains a formidable contender for the AL Rookie of the Year, boasting a 3.24 ERA and 151 strikeouts across 130 ⅔ innings as he prepares for his next start. His consistency has been a standout, with Gil allowing three runs or fewer in 20 of his 25 appearances this season.

Fellow candidates Colton Cowser and Wilyer Abreu also present strong cases. Despite a recent dip in performance, Cowser has posted a .241 batting average, .759 OPS, and 20 homers in 137 games. Abreu, meanwhile, has maintained a .267 average and .830 OPS over 114 games, keeping him in the race.

However, Austin Wells’ emergence as a key contributor at the catcher position adds a unique dimension to the Rookie of the Year discussion. No catcher has won the award since Buster Posey in 2010, underscoring the rarity of Wells’ bid. His impact extends beyond offensive stats, marked by his steady defensive presence and ability to handle a veteran pitching staff with poise and authority.

The Yankees have long-valued catchers who excel defensively and manage games effectively, viewing any offensive output as a bonus. Manager Aaron Boone underscored the heavy responsibilities tied to catching in New York and commended Austin Wells for navigating those demands from day one. Boone also praised the catcher’s recent offensive surge, highlighting his evolution into a significant threat at the plate without sacrificing his defensive duties.

“It’s a heavy responsibility to be a big-league catcher, let alone be a big-league catcher for the New York Yankees,” Boone explained. “He’s handled all that really well and shown that ability from start. Now we’ve really seen him start to become a force offensively, too.”

Austin Wells’ two-way prowess in full display

Austin Wells has put together an impressive offensive season, posting a .252 batting average, a .780 OPS, and 13 home runs in 100 games. His performance has shown steady improvement, particularly since early June, with significant gains in his batting average and OPS.

The Yankees rookie backstop’s offensive prowess is hardly a surprise to those familiar with his background. Drafted by the Yankees in the first round of 2020, expectations were high for his bat, and Austin Wells is starting to fulfill—and perhaps exceed—those projections with his recent performances.

The 25-year-old catcher has shown remarkable growth on defense this season, with recent data from Baseball Savant ranking him third in Catcher Framing Runs and fourth in Fielding run value a metric that measures a catcher’s overall defensive impact, including throwing, blocking, and pitch framing.

Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes has been particularly impressed with Austin Wells’ dual contributions in his rookie campaign. Cortes acknowledged the unique challenges the catcher faces in managing a demanding pitching staff while also delivering offensively. He highlighted Austin Wells’ skill in pitch-calling, emphasizing its critical role in a catcher’s responsibilities and noting that the rookie has excelled in both defensive and offensive facets—a rare achievement for a rookie.

Cortes recalled a lighthearted exchange with Austin Wells, joking that if he had been hitting home runs earlier in the season, the AL Rookie of the Year race might already be settled in his favor. The remark underscored the impact of the rookie’s recent offensive surge.

Austin Wells has indeed rebounded from a slow start, delivering consistently strong at-bats as his role behind the plate has expanded. His knack for performing in clutch situations was evident in a recent matchup against the Royals, where he launched a pivotal three-run home run in the seventh inning that put the Yankees ahead for good.

His blend of defensive prowess, offensive production, and timely hitting has firmly established him as a cornerstone for the Yankees and a leading candidate for AL Rookie of the Year, despite a subdued beginning to his season.

Austin Wells’ blend of defensive expertise, game management, and timely hitting at such a crucial position enhances his candidacy for Rookie of the Year, setting him apart in a crowded field. His ability to thrive under the pressure of catching in New York, coupled with his growing offensive prowess, makes him a compelling choice in the race.

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