Friday, April 10

TAMPA, Fla. -- Austin Wells didn’t need the scouting reports to be sugarcoated. Advancing through the Yankees’ farm system, he kept hearing the same knocks: the bat might play at the higher levels, but the defense might not.

Wells didn’t push back -- he thought they might be right. So he changed the story.

“I think the measurable skills as a catcher, I was terrible,” Wells said. “Not good at framing, probably below-average blocking, OK throwing. Coming to the Yankees, their thing is framing – they’ve been the best in the league since 2019.

“So they were able to work with me a ton, building my framing and the one-knee-down setup into everything I am now.”

As Wells enters his second full season as the Yanks’ starting catcher, the 26-year-old has flipped what the organization -- and outside observers -- once projected about his defense.

Focusing intently on framing and glove speed, Wells has developed into one of the game’s top-rated receivers, especially at the bottom of the zone. He has recorded a Major League-best 19 framing runs there over the past two seasons.

“We’re always looking to do more,” Wells said. “I think my drive to be great at the position fueled me. Their accountability of always staying on me and pushing me to be better, that perfect combo has helped me to be better.”

Overall, Wells ranks third in catcher framing runs (23) over the past two seasons. He's gotten a 46.6% called-strike rate on non-swings in the shadow zone (within one baseball's width of the strike-zone borders), seventh best among qualifiers. Wells grades closer to the middle of the pack in blocking and throwing.

“It’s been by design, based on the guys we have and how we pitch down in the zone,” said catching coach Tanner Swanson. “It was an area we doubled down on. He trains very intentionally to that part of the strike zone and has made some minor mechanical adjustments to give himself more space to create speed.”

Swanson recalls an introductory Zoom call with Wells around the time of the 2018 MLB Draft, when the organization laid out concerns about his defense -- and a plan to improve. From that day forward, Swanson said, Wells was all in.

“One thing that has helped him separate is an ability to make adjustments fast,” Swanson said. “He’s capable of taking information even with minimal training. Some things, we train really hard and he’s able to apply it. Other stuff, it’s just conversations and he’s also able to integrate those things. The separator for him is his diligence in wanting to improve and change the narrative.”

Had Wells arrived as a defense-first backstop, manager Aaron Boone said they would likely be thrilled with his offensive output. Last season, he slashed .219/.275/.436 with 22 doubles, 21 homers and 71 RBIs in 126 games.

Boone said he believes there is more coming.

“He does have good at-bats in tough situations, but I expect a lot more out of him offensively, as does he,” Boone said. “Being a Major League catcher, especially as a rookie and a first- and second-year player, there’s a lot of things you’re focusing on away from your hitting. I still think there’s a lot more in there offensively.”

At times over the past several seasons, Wells has acknowledged difficulty separating his defense from his offense. It’s not uncommon for him to prepare for an at-bat while still thinking through a pitching plan. Wells believes flipping that switch represents his next level of development.

“I feel like I’ve shown what I’m capable of [offensively] in spurts, whether it was in ’24 or at times last year,” he said. “I know it’s in there. It’s just about keeping it consistent. That’s the next level for me, and I think that’ll help me give less at-bats away.”

Shortly after joining Bobby Bonds (1975) and Alfonso Soriano (2002, ’03) as the only Yankees to record a season with at least 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases, Jazz Chisholm Jr. set his sights high, saying that better health was all that stood between him and a 40/40 season.

Chisholm’s expectations have increased this spring, with the infielder raising eyebrows with a proclamation that he’s actually aiming for 50/50 -- something previously achieved only by the Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani.

While the Yankees might smirk when they hear he plans to win AL MVP, a Silver Slugger and a World Series ring, Chisholm says there’s no point in voicing mediocre aspirations.

“I’m always going to speak positive into the atmosphere,” Chisholm said. “I’m never going to tell myself, or tell anybody, ‘Oh, I’m just going to have a year where I hit 10 home runs and hit .250.’ What does that sound like? That’s a loser. I’m going to go shoot for the stars, and if I miss, I’m going to end up on the moon.”  

Aaron Judge led the 2025 Yankees with 53 home runs. Who was second on the team?

A. Jazz Chisholm Jr.

B. Trent Grisham

C. Ben Rice

D. Giancarlo Stanton

Feb. 23, 1929: Elston Gene Howard was born in St. Louis.

Howard became the Yankees’ first African-American player in 1955, beginning a stellar career for the catcher/outfielder that would include a 1963 MVP award, four World Series championships, 12 All-Star selections and two Gold Gloves.

B. Grisham

Grisham hit a career-high 34 homers for New York last season, batting .235/.348/.464 with 74 RBIs in 143 games.

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