After a tough and mostly unlucky start to his season, Austin Wells has been doing fantastic things for the Yankees. Wells’s offense has been as great as advertised when he was a top prospect. However, his defense behind the plate has been better than expected. Wells has outplayed incumbent catcher Jose Trevino offensively and defensively at this point in the season. There is no reason why Jose Trevino should be taking playing time away from Austin Wells at this point.
Austin Wells Had A Frustrating Beginning Of The Season
Embed from Getty ImagesAustin Wells had a tough first two months of the season. In April, Wells only had a slash line of .178/.304/.289 with one homer, three RBI, and a .592 OPS. When the calendar flipped to May, Wells’s results weren’t much better. He put together another weak slash line of .213/.229/.319 with no home runs, two RBI, and a .548 OPS. On paper, it’s easy to think that Austin Wells should’ve been sent back down to the minors. However, his poor statistics were also the result of bad luck. He had a hard-hit rate of 31.8% and 43.2% in April and May respectively.
Best Offensive Player Not Named Aaron Judge Or Juan Soto
It was a frustrating two months for the Yankees young catcher. However, despite the team badly struggling in June, Wells finally ended his two-month slump. That month, Wells had a slash line of .238/.340/.429 with two home runs, eight RBI, and a .769 OPS. From that point on, Wells hasn’t looked back. After breaking his slump in June, Wells became one of the Yankees’ best offensive players, not named Aaron Judge or Juan Soto. Post all-star break, Wells has put up a scorching slash line of .311/.402/.491 with six homers, 22 RBI, and a .950 OPS. During this span, he’s been statistically better then all-star catchers Adley Rutschman and Salvador Perez.
Solidifying The Cleanup Spot
Embed from Getty ImagesThe one area of the lineup that Austin Wells ended the revolving door at the cleanup spot. This has been a part of the lineup where Yankee hitters have struggled the most. Alex Verdugo, Anthony Rizzo, Giancarlo Stanton, Ben Rice, and even J.D. Davis all batted in the cleanup spot multiple times this year. However, the Yankees were unable to get consistent productivity from any of them in that spot in the lineup. Since the 25-year-old became the cleanup hitter, he’s put together a slash line of .338/.400/.519 with three home runs and 17 RBI.
Austin Wells Has Blown Away Jose Trevino Offensively
Embed from Getty ImagesAustin Wells has outplayed Jose Trevino on offense and it’s not even close. While Trevino did miss a month with an injury, he’s only had a slash line of .231/.300/.390 with just eight homers, 27 RBI, and a .691 OPS. While offense has never been Trevino’s forte, his weak offense doesn’t help the team. The Yankees need offensive production from players other than Judge and Soto. The 25-year-old catcher has proven he can be that guy and there is nothing else left for him to prove offensively.
The Young Catcher Is Emerging Defensively
Embed from Getty ImagesWhen he first was called up, Austin Wells was known for being an offense-first catcher while being poor defensively. However, this season, the 25-year-old has shown that he’s come a long way defensively. In 89 games behind the plate this season, Wells has eight defensive runs saved and has thrown out 22% of would-be base stealers. He also has put together a fielding percentage of .989. This has been a pleasant surprise for the New York Yankees in 2024.
Jose Trevino Is Declining Defensively
Embed from Getty ImagesMeanwhile, since suffering injuries the past two seasons, Jose Trevino hasn’t been the same. This season, the one-time platinum glove winner has only thrown out 20% of would-be base stealers. He’s also allowed 47 runners to steal a base in just 63 games behind the plate this season. There was also that time when he allowed nine stolen bases against the Boston Red Sox. This was the most stolen bases the Yankees had given up in a game since 1915!
Trevino also appears to be on the decline defensively as well. His 2.08 pop time down to second base ranks only ahead of Keibert Ruiz of the Washington Nationals. Trevino has one of the weakest arms in the league as his throw power only averages 71.3 MPH. The Yankees can’t afford to have these kinds of deficiencies in the catcher position. Given how big of a leap Wells has made defensively, he’s only going to get better if New York keeps starting him.
Austin Wells Gives The Yankees The Best Chance To Win
Embed from Getty ImagesAustin Wells has outplayed Jose Trevino both offensively and defensively. He’s proven that he can be another source of offense aside from Aaron Judge and Juan Soto. Wells has arguably been the Yankees’ best player aside from Judge and Soto. The young catcher even solidified the cleanup spot in the lineup and is emerging defensively. With Trevino weak offensively and declining defensively, Austin Wells ultimately gives the New York Yankees the best chance to win. There is no reason why Trevino should be taking away starts from the 25-year-old at this point.
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