At the start of the season, Luis Gil appeared to be a leading candidate for the American League Rookie of the Year award. However, as the season heads into its final stretch, Austin Wells has made a compelling case for the honor with his standout performance as both a catcher and a cleanup hitter.
While the Yankees focus on clinching the AL East, Wells' emergence as a two-way asset has significantly contributed to the team’s success. Fellow catcher Jose Trevino praised Wells' performance, highlighting his contributions both offensively and defensively. "He’s doing a great job on both sides of the baseball," Trevino said. "I think it’s underrated what he’s doing, especially behind the plate. He should definitely be in the conversation for Rookie of the Year."
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| Austin Wells' All-Around Performance Makes Him a Top Contender for AL Rookie of the Year |
Wells, who was batting .252 with a .780 OPS and 13 home runs earlier in the season, has seen those numbers rise over the past three months. Since June 6, he has hit .284 with a .890 OPS and 12 home runs across 64 games. This offensive surge was anticipated when the Yankees drafted Wells as their first-round pick in 2020.
The 25-year-old catcher has also made significant strides defensively this season. Entering Tuesday, he ranked third in Baseball Savant’s Catcher Framing Runs and fourth in Fielding Run Value, which considers throwing, blocking, and framing skills.
Nestor Cortes, a teammate, commended Wells for managing a demanding pitching staff while excelling at the plate. "It’s impressive what he’s doing because it’s his first year fully in the big leagues," Cortes said. "His pitch-calling has been really good, and he’s shown leadership behind the plate. His ability to handle both aspects of the game has been impressive."
Cortes even joked that if Wells had hit five or six more home runs earlier in the season, the Rookie of the Year award might already be his. Despite a slow start, Wells has made up for it with strong at-bats and crucial moments, such as his three-run home run in the seventh inning on Monday, which secured a win for the Yankees against the Royals.
While other rookies like Luis Gil, who boasts a 3.24 ERA and 151 strikeouts in 130 2/3 innings, and players like Cowser and Abreu have their own merits, Wells' performance at the demanding catcher position adds significant value. No catcher has won the Rookie of the Year award since Buster Posey in 2010, and Wells’ steady presence behind the plate, along with his offensive contributions, make him a strong candidate.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone acknowledged the weight of Wells’ responsibilities. "It’s a heavy responsibility to be a big-league catcher, let alone for the New York Yankees," Boone said. "He’s handled all that really well and is starting to become a force offensively too."
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