Yankees' Austin Wells admits scouts were right before he proved them wrong
SARASOTA, Fla. — Yankees catcher Austin Wells used to go on the defense when everyone was on him about his defense. He would get offended and agitated hearing scouts predict he'd hit his way to the big leagues, then stay there as a left fielder or first base or designated hitter. That started right after the Yankees picked Wells in the first round of the 2020 draft and continued as he worked his way up the minor-league ladder in '21, '22, and '23.
Wells proved everyone wrong. He was a pretty good receiver when he debuted in the big leagues in September 2024 and keeps getting better. Looking back, Wells admitted the old scouting reports on his catching were accurate on Friday after he was behind the plate and leading off for the Yankees' Grapefruit League opener, a 2-0 loss to the Orioles.
"I think the measurable skills as a catcher I was terrible," Wells said. "I was not good at framing, probably below average blocking. I was OK throwing." In Baseball Savant's 2025 rankings, Wells' framing was the third best in the majors, his blocking middle of the pack.
His work with Yankees pitchers, everything from pre-game prepping to game calling, is what stood out most then and now. "The communication, the presence, and understanding the game behind the plate was always what I was best at," Wells said.
It stood out the first time Boone watched Wells. "The one thing I remember about him from his first big-league camp was a presence to him just being around the guys," Boone said. "I was like, 'All right, the guy's a big leaguer.' This is when he was not a big leaguer. He just had an ability to interact with guys, had good conversations with guys."
The receiving reports on Wells still weren't good at that point, but week by week, month by month, and year by year, his framing and blocking kept improving. "It was still a matter of whether the catching was going to come?" Boone said. "And then even the first time we called him up, in September of '23, I remember people saying some thoughts like, 'Hey, there's gonna be some rough patches behind the plate.' And he really more than held his own in September. I came away going, 'Wow, that was pretty good.'"
"And then we go into '24, he's going to be part of the mix with (Jose) Trevino. He's probably making the club, and from jump, he was a good defensive catcher with what we were watching and all the measurable stuff you could get. Right away, he showed an ability to really have a feel and understanding of game plans and working well with pitchers, especially some alpha dogs. So all I've known and seen of him is a good defensive catcher. He's continued to solidify that after a full season in 2024 and now '25."
Wells credits his work habits as well as his minor-league coaches and Yankees catching instructor Tanner Swanson. "Coming to the Yankees, their thing is framing," Wells said. "They've been the best in the league since 2019, probably since as long as they go back (charting it). So they were able to work with me a ton. They built my framing from a one-knee-down setup into everything that I am now, and we're always looking to do more and get better."
"I think my drive to want to be great at the position fueled me. And then their accountability, always staying on me and pushing me to be better, that perfect combo has helped me be where I am."
What's been surprising is Wells' left-handed bat was his calling card when he was drafted and that's been the part of his game that hasn't consistently played up. Wells' production last season was among the best in the majors by a catcher—he tied for fourth with 21 homers and tied for second with 71 RBIs—but his .209 batting average and .275 on-base percentage were disappointing.
"Let's say his reputation was as a defender," Boone proposed. "It's like, 'Oh, we've got this defensive catcher and he's popping 20 homers a year.' And he does have good at-bats. That being said, I expect a lot more out of him offensively, as does he."
"I think part of that is being a major league catcher, especially as a rookie and a first- and second-year player. Man, there's a lot of things that you're focusing on daily away from your hitting. Other positions have a little easier time leaning into it."
Focus has been a problem at times because Wells cares so much about how Yankees pitchers are doing. "It's definitely a challenge for me when I prioritize my pitchers and my defense and being there for them because that's such a huge part of the game," Wells said. "I'm still a work in progress on trying to find different switches I can flip to be able to move quicker into my at-bat so that I feel ready to take on my at-bat with a clear mind."
"That's definitely something I'm working on."
These are exciting times for Wells. He became a first-time father in December when his wife gave birth to a baby girl named Lucy, and on March 1, he's leaving the Yankees to be a catcher for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. The 26-year-old Las Vegas native is playing for the D.R. because his mom's family is from there.
"On a personal level, I'm super excited," he said. "That's an amazing team, and getting in play for the team where my grandpa's from, it's something super special. My mom's very ecstatic."
Boone isn't thrilled about his starting catcher leaving camp for two weeks because this is an important time to bond with pitchers, but he feels it's manageable because Wells already knows the returnees inside and out. "I do think it's a smart thing to do to go play, to get some outside experience, but it's definitely hard because I love being here and I love being with the guys," Wells said. "Spring training is a special time for me and for pretty much all of us in the clubhouse. It's a lot of fun."
"I do think it's going to benefit me a lot being able to go and play with such a great (WBC) team, but I'm definitely going to miss the time that I'm here."
When Wells returns, he's hoping for a hitting breakout. "I know what I'm capable of," Wells said. "I feel like I've shown what I'm capable of in spurts, whether it was in '24 or last year at times. I know it's in there. It's just about keeping it consistent."
"Being able to quickly flip the switch to being an offensive player, hopefully with a snap of a finger like that, that'll help me give less at-bats away and have a better approach more consistently throughout the season."
