The New York Yankees have promoted top catching prospect Austin Wells, fourth-rated in their minor league system, to Double-A Somerset, today the Patriots Tweeted.
Selected in the 2018 MLB Draft in the 35th round from Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas and 28th overall in the first round out of Arizona in 2020, the Yankees love Wells’ strong offensive skill set.
Wells, 22, slugged .304 with eight home runs and 22 RBI to go along with nine doubles in 125 at-bats in 37 games between Single-A Tampa and Advanced-A Hudson Valley. He also slashed an impressive .425/.568/.993 before his promotion to Somerset.
Wells captured the Pacific-12 Conference Freshman of the Year and the Cape Cod League top prospect awards in 2019, his lone full college season, before signing with New York for $2.5 million as a sophomore-eligible draftee.
The catching position does not seem like a long-term destination for Wells, though, as he has suffered from elbow issues since high school that has limited his throwing abilities behind the plate. Wells has permitted 98 steals (at an 87 percent success clip) in 70 tilts last season.
To maximize his potent lumber, the Yankees might move Wells to left field, according to baseball scouts.
— Jerry Del Priore
Brooklyn Sports World/NY NJ Sports World 