One of the most traditional teams in MLB is the New York Yankees, who have won 27 World Series in more than 100 years of existence, making them the most successful team in Major League Baseball. Their jersey has been worn by the greatest baseball players such as the great Babe Ruth, Lou Gherig, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, Roger Maris, Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter and a hundred more names.
However, currently one of their players has the bat turned off. New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells undergoes a rigorous treatment routine, not for injury, but to withstand the wear and tear of being behind the plate.
This defensive commitment often complicates his approach at the plate, a challenge he is determined to overcome. The catching position is one of the most complex, after playing in a crouch and receiving powerful pitches that sometimes travel at more than 100 miles per hour.
Austin Wells’ difficulty in combining the catching position with the bat
Wells has admitted that preparing for each turn at the plate is complicated. However, there are players in the same position who have excelled when it comes to hitting the ball with the bat. “Sometimes, in the middle of the game, I have to concentrate more before going to the plate,” he confessed. This dual approach, between pitch planning and hitting, is a delicate balance that he is working to improve. However, his recent efforts have begun to pay off.
In the last 13 games, Wells has hit .311, standing out in the 10-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals. In that game, he drove in five runs, including a three-run home run. His ability to face both left and right-handed pitchers with equal effectiveness is an advantage for the Yankees.
Yankees manager trusts Austin Wells’ effectiveness
Manager Aaron Boone trusts Wells’ talent. “I think he can really hit,” Boone said. Wells has the potential to be a productive hitter in the major leagues, especially at the catcher position, where his pitch-framing ability is already recognized. His numbers are very respectable with a .228 batting average and 11 home runs, Wells feels he can improve, where there are undoubtedly catchers with a great friendship with hitting.
One of them is his Los Angeles Dodgers colleague Will Smith, who has a dozen home runs and a .205 batting average. However, with the season in full swing, the Yankees are hoping Wells will continue his progress. His ability to balance his defensive role with consistent offensive production could be key to the team’s success. If he can reach his full potential, he could be the first Yankees catcher to surpass 100 RBIs since Jorge Posada in 2003.
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