The New York Yankees have designated Austin Wells as their starting catcher for the remainder of the season, following the trade deadline. This decision comes after a period of uncertainty regarding the team's catching situation. General Manager Brian Cashman indicated that limited opportunities to acquire a right-handed-hitting catcher influenced the team's decision to stick with their current roster.
Cashman acknowledged the team's offensive struggles throughout the season, particularly at the catcher position. However, he expressed encouragement regarding Wells' recent performance. "I think Austin has got his offense going the past month," Cashman said. "It's a much more successful version and much closer version to what he's capable of. I hope he's trending in the right direction."
Wells has shown a significant uptick in offensive production over his last 16 games, posting an .973 OPS with four home runs. This recent stretch contrasts with his earlier performance, where he had a .468 OPS in his first 62 games and a .537 OPS overall, which was the lowest among players with at least 250 plate appearances. "He does possess a lot of potential with that bat," Cashman added. "Hopefully, he's able to tap into it and save his best for the rest of the way."
Manager Aaron Boone also noted Wells' improvement, stating, "The last three or four weeks, he's moved the needle back to who he can be and that's a real presence at the bottom of the order, with some power."
Wells, who was drafted by the Yankees as a bat-first catcher, has also been praised for his defensive contributions and ability to work with the pitching staff. The team values his skills in pitch-framing and game-planning against hitters. Earlier in the season, Wells experienced cervical headaches, but since his return, he has reported seeing the ball better, contributing to his improved offensive results.
Despite the trade deadline passing without an external acquisition at catcher, Wells and Ali Sánchez are expected to split time behind the plate. Wells stated that he remains focused on his own game, unaffected by the external speculation surrounding the team's catching plans. "I have no control on that [trade situation]," he said.