Austin Wells is gaining praise from Yankees ace Gerrit Cole.
Wells didn’t get the opportunity to catch Cole after being called up in September. Given that the catcher is likely starting the season with the big league club, the 2023 AL Cy Young Award winner asked Yankees manager Aaron Boone to pair them in camp, according to Brian Hoch of MLB.com.
So far, Cole has been impressed with the 24-year-old MLB Pipeline ranked No. 7 in the Yankees’ system.
“He came right in against the Astros, and we won the series in Houston, and he caught all the games,” Cole said, via MLB.com. “He’s obviously really intelligent, and physically, he looks solid. He’s a good catcher. I would say [Wells’ game-calling] is a little advanced, for sure.”
Wells played 19 games for the Yankees at the end of last season. He batted .229 (16 hits in 70 at-bats) with four home runs.
Drafted in the first round by the Yankees in 2020, Wells made his pro debut in 2021. In three years, he shot up the team’s minor league system, showing a propensity for power and excellent plate discipline. In three minor league seasons, he has an .846 OPS (.370 on-base percentage and .476 slugging).
The Yankees expect the left-handed hitter to be a power threat in the lineup, especially at home where the short porch sits 314 feet away from home plate.
Wells is expected to split time with José Trevino, who entered camp with a calf injury. Trevino is expected to be back soon, Boone said Tuesday before the Yankees’ 4-2 loss to the Rays in Port Charlotte, Florida.
“I was actually talking to him (Tuesday) morning about it,” Boone said. “I would say by the end of the week we’re in a position to say, ‘OK, we’re targeting this for a game.’ But he’s got to get through this next week of running progression.”
Manuel Gomez may be reached at [email protected].
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