Austin Wells Emerges as Yankees' Postseason Catcher After Slump
After a dismal start to the season, Austin Wells has become a crucial offensive force for the Yankees, earning the starting catcher role for the postseason.
Yankees catcher Austin Wells has transformed his season from a struggling offensive player to a vital contributor, solidifying his position as the team's everyday catcher heading into the postseason. Despite a difficult start, Wells has shown significant improvement, particularly since the trade deadline.
At one point, Wells' offensive performance was among the worst in Major League Baseball. From the beginning of the season until August 2, he held the lowest batting average (.161) and OPS (.537) among qualified hitters. General Manager Brian Cashman acknowledged in July that the catcher position had become a concern.
However, following the August 3 trade deadline, when the Yankees committed to giving Wells increased playing time, his performance surged. Since that point, he has been the most frequently used catcher in the sport, appearing in 42 of 47 games and catching 5,779 pitches. This resurgence has positioned him as the likely everyday catcher for the Yankees' postseason run.
"That's awesome," Wells said of his increased workload and performance. "I feel solid [physically]. It comes and goes — you take a foul ball to the face, you make a couple of throws in a couple of games, your arm starts hanging a little bit. But this is how I want it. This is where I want to be."
The turning point for Wells appears to have been his 15-day stint on the injured list in June due to cervical headaches. This period allowed him to address physical issues and make adjustments to his swing, leading to a more potent offensive output.
In the 15 games leading up to the trade deadline decision, Wells posted an .886 OPS, demonstrating improved plate discipline with seven walks and eight strikeouts, and hitting three home runs. This performance convinced the Yankees to stick with Wells and backup catcher Ali Sánchez, rather than pursuing external acquisitions.
"You feel like he’s that threat again down there, and that’s massive," manager Aaron Boone commented on Wells' recent performance. Since August 3, Wells has maintained a .785 OPS, validating the team's confidence in him.
"Feel like I’m seeing the ball well, trying to have good at-bats and turn the lineup over, get on base for the guys at the top," Wells stated. "Do whatever’s necessary to win the game."
Wells has prior postseason experience, having played in 12 of 14 games during the Yankees' World Series run two years ago. He also started all seven of the team's postseason games against Boston and Toronto last year. He is expected to be one of the few Yankees players to receive everyday playing time in the upcoming playoffs, alongside Cody Bellinger and potentially Ben Rice and George Lombard Jr.
"You just roll with it," Wells said regarding the physical demands of October baseball. "Being behind the plate every day — that’s where I want to be."