Yankees Catching Prospect Wells Off to Strong Start at Triple-A

Austin Wells just moved into the Top 10 catching prospects in minor league baseball after his strong start at Scranton-Wilkes/Barre.

New York Yankees catching prospect Austin Wells has had an exciting few weeks in his development.

First, on July 21, the Yankees promoted him from Double-A Somerset to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, putting him one promotion away from a Major League debut.

Then, last week, Wells moved into the Top 10 catching prospects in the minors, according to MLB.com. He is the Yankees’ No. 2 overall prospect behind only outfielder Jasson Dominguez.

His bat off to a good start with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. In his first 13 games, he slashed .271/.379/.375/.754 with five doubles and four RBI.

That’s a much better slash line than he put up at Somerset this season — .237/.327/.443/.770 with 11 home runs and 50 RBI.

It’s starting to line up for Wells, whom the Yankees selected in the first round of the 2020 MLB Draft out of Arizona.

The question is when Wells fits into the Yankees’ future plans behind the plate?

Jose Trevino is on the injured list for the rest of the season with a right wrist tear. The expectation is that Trevino will be ready for the 2024 season.

It isn’t a coincidence the Yankees moved Wells up to Triple-A when they did. After Trevino’s injury and surgery were announced, the Yankees called up Ben Rortvedt from Triple-A, which cleared the room for Wells to move up.

For now, the Yankees are using Kyle Higashioka and Rortvedt behind the plate. Neither has put up great numbers behind the plate this season, leaving the door open for a Wells call-up later this season.

Beyond 2023, it’s a crowded situation. Trevino, Higashioka and Rortvedt are all under team control, though Trevino and Higashioka will be in arbitration. If Wells gets a shot with the Yankees this season and produces, the situation could become more crowded next Spring Training, leaving a door open for Wells to find a consistent role in 2024.