Wow. When Paul O'Neill read out Austin Wells' stats for the season against the rest of the American League during Tuesday night's game against the Royals, I was blown away. According to MLB.com, "At the plate, his 121 wRC+ (meaning he's been 21% better than a league-average hitter) is now the best among AL catchers -- Wells leapfrogged his counterpart with the Royals, Salvador Perez, thanks to his big game Monday. Behind the plate, Wells has been the AL's second-most valuable defensive catcher behind only the Mariners' Cal Raleigh, per Statcast, thanks to excellent pitch-framing and blocking."
Wells has been a white knight in this Yankee lineup, consistently and quietly helping the Yankees win games like they did in the opener against Kansas City on Monday night. Could Austin Wells win ROY honors? Yea, he really could.
According to MLB.com, "The 25-year-old catcher has emerged as one of the top contenders for AL Rookie of the Year honors down the stretch, along with the Orioles' Colton Cowser. Wells is batting .295 with a .511 slugging percentage and .891 OPS in 39 games since the All-Star break." He came in for the ailing Jose Trevino who went down with a quad injury earlier this season. And he hasn't stopped his persistently strong offense and defense, among the top rookies and catchers this season.
As The New York Post reports, "Wells has a .252/.342/.438 slash line with 13 home runs and 49 RBIs in 100 games for the Yankees this season." Among other favorites for the AL Rookie of the Year are Orioles phenom Jackson Holliday and Wells' standout teammate Luis Gil. Both have slowed down in their dominance once shown earlier this season, leaving the door open for Wells. Not since 1970 has a Yankee catcher won Rookie of the Year honors. And that guy was Thurman Munson.
Wouldn't that be something? Aaron Judge wins AL MVP and Austin Wells wins AL ROY in the same season- homegrown stars in the Yankee organization. Now top that with a World Series victory and a Judge Triple Crown- I just can't. Exciting times for the Yankees if they can just get out of their own way. For Wells, I am just overjoyed for this young man's success. He has battled and if he continues to demonstrate his talent the way he has over the last several weeks, he just might find himself as the 2024 AL Rookie of the Year.
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--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof
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