LOOK OUT KRAKEN, THERE'S A NEW CATCHER IN TOWN

Earlier this week we wrote about the catcher of the future in Josh Breaux who was a second-round pick in the 2018 MLB Draft. Now there's another catcher who is turning some heads and it certainly isn't Kraken. 21-year-old catcher Austin Wells was the Yankees’ first-round pick last summer, and is showing powerful offense during the first few days of camp.

Source: NJ.com

"I really like his swing,’’ Boone said. “One of the things that stands out to me, that I didn’t necessarily know, is how strong he is. He’s as strong as anyone in camp, especially when you test him,” said Boone as reported by NJ.com. 

Wells played for the University of Arizona and a season with Cape Cod League and caught the eyes of Yankees scouts. Although Wells can play first base as well as the outfield, he has stated openly he wants to be behind the plate in Yankee Stadium. 

Source: The New York Post

"I am a catcher and I want to be a catcher and I know I am willing to do whatever it takes to get to the big leagues, so if that is at another position then I will hit home runs at Yankee Stadium and play wherever they need me to,’’ Wells said after being drafted as reported by NJ.com. 

The Yankees appear to have some depth when it comes to the catcher position, something many fans, including me were worried about given Gary Sanchez's disappointing performance in the last few seasons. Sanchez has become a liability behind the plate and when his bat when cold last season, there were some doubts that he would even be invited back to the team in 2021. The Yankees have given him another chance, in my mind, his last chance. And with some youngbloods in Breaux, Anthony Seigler and now Wells ready to step in, there is a renewed confidence in the catcher position.

Boone has said that he will put the best team on the field. I really hope he sticks to that pledge in 2021 and keeps the hottest players in the lineup. 'Next guy in" has to be the mantra for the Yankees if they want to win this season and make their way into the postseason on the journey to #28. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

YANKEE CATCHER OF THE FUTURE FOUND!

Source: Twitter

Gary Sanchez has been on a steady decline since his debut with the Yankees in 2015. His defensive game has always been in question; actually, his knowledge of the game is also something to be desired. But, Sanchez always had his swing, until he didn't and then found himself fighting for the job that was given to him. According to ESPN's Kiley McDaniel, the Yankees have a catcher of the future within their ranks and guess what? We get to see him this spring.

Josh Breaux was a second-round pick in the 2018 MLB Draft. The 23-year-old right hand catcher made his debut in the Yankee farm system with Gulf Coast League West and worked his way up the ranks to the Tampa Tarpons where he was activated this winter. He will be at Yankees Spring Training camp this week and according to ESPN's Kiley McDaniel he is one to watch.

"Breaux popped up in the spring of 2018 at a Texas junior college by hitting 99 mph on the mound in relief, showing a 70 arm behind the plate as a catcher and flashing 70 raw power in BP. He was still pretty raw in all phases, with more pro upside as a catcher, but with real questions given the short track record, as both a catcher and hitter. His pro career has reflected that, but he has been making progress with a solid 2019 full-season debut and improving reports on his work behind the plate. A good 2021 season could get him in the conversation as the Yankees’ catcher of the future," according to NJ.com. 

The battle for catcher is not between Sanchez, former backup catcher Kyle Higashioka and now newly signed Robinson Chirinos who finished last season with the Mets, but caught for Gerrit Cole while they both played for Houston. Rather Sanchez is battling against the catchers of the future, namely, Breaux and three other Yankee prospects. According to NJ.com, "Catcher is shaping up to be a position of strength for the Yankees down on the farm. In addition to Breaux, New York is grooming: Austin Wells (first-round pick in 2020, No. 28 overall); Anthony Seigler (first-round pick in 2018, No. 23 overall) and Antonio Gomez (international free agent in 2018)." 

Recall that Sanchez was benched during the 2020 playoffs and quaffed at the move, wondering why. "In an ESPN interview, Sánchez said that he was never told why he was mostly benched in October, but that he and the Yanks had cleared the air. Cashman’s response, in part, was that he was “not sure an explanation was necessary,” since poor performance caused Sánchez to lose his job during the most crucial time of the season," reported SNY.com. 

Spring training will be a great opportunity to see the catchers of the future, with Breaux leading the list of potentials. The Yankees are grooming catchers instead of paying for them and I am hopeful this strategy works because what we have now with Sanchez is just not sustainable. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

CATCHER HAPPY!

Photo: Newsday

The Yankees made some moves in the draft, and it was for a pair of catchers.  Interesting and cool. I was hoping for some early pitching, but it makes sense... they did what they did. Plus, one of these guys does some pitching as well...

Empire Sports Media has the story:

Photo: Perfect Game

"The Yankees drafted a pair of catchers in Monday’s Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft in a move to add depth to the organization at the catcher position, which is thin beyond the Triple A level.

Photo: Getty Images

Anthony Seigler, 5’11, 200 lb, from Cartersville High School in Georgia, was the Yankees 23rd pick in the first round was one of the more unusual players featured in the draft—-he is a switch hitter and a switch pitcher, as well as a catcher....

Photo by McLennan Community College Athletics

Josh Breaux, 6’2, 200 lb, out of McLennan Community College in Texas, was selected 61st by the Yankees in the second round of the draft. Rick Keeler of Pinstriped Prospects, describes Breaux as below-average defensively, but he hits well and runs well in spite of being a catcher. "

Nice Start... let's see what happens next.