AUSTIN WELLS IS READY TO HIT DINGERS FOR THE YANKEES

During the 2020 MLB Draft on Wednesday night, the Yankees drafted Austin Wells 28th overall. This actually is not the first time that the Yankees drafted Wells. He was originally picked in the 35th round in 2018, but Wells is thankful for the past two years to continue improving his skills.

In 2017, Wells hurt his elbow after emerging as a top prospect, and was not able to play in his senior year season at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas. Despite the injury, the Yankees still drafted him. At the time, Wells decided it would be best to continue with his commitment to the University of Arizona and pass on signing a professional contract.

"So I’m super thankful … not thankful that (my injury) happened, but I’m thankful that I was able to go through this process because I feel so much more prepared to play baseball at the next level," said Wells.

Wells dominated in Arizona, putting up a .353/.462/.552 and becoming the first Wildcat to be named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year. Before the pandemic cut his sophomore season short, he was batting .375 with a .527 on-base percentage. In only one and a half seasons with the Wildcats, he finished with 99 hits, 7 home runs, and 74 RBIs. 

“God has an interesting path sometimes,” Austin’s father, Greg Wells, said via Tucson.com. “If you look at where Austin is at today versus where he would have been signing out of high school, he’s a better person, a better man, more educated.”

In a conference call with the New York media for the first time Wells, who is a catcher by trade, was addressing concerns scouts have had about his defense and the prospect of remaining behind the plate long-term. 

“I’m a catcher, and I want to be a catcher, but I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get to the big leagues,” Wells said. “So, if that’s at another position, I’ll just hit home runs at Yankee Stadium and play wherever they need me to, wherever my bat gets me to the big leagues the quickest.”

Besides potentially changing positions, one more obstacle Wells will have to face one more adjustment: shaving off his beard. However, he doesn't seem too worried about this and is willing to trade his beard for pinstripes.

In addition to Wells, the Yankees also drafted Trevor Hauver, a LF from Arizona State and Beck Way, a RHP from Northwest Florida State.

Exciting times for the Yankees farm system.  We will have more about Austin Wells from new BYB writer Anthony Orlando tomorrow.

--Missy O'Rourke
BYB Contributor
Twitter: @missy_orourke