Austin Wells Has Become a Force In The Heart Of The Yankees Lineup And Should Be The AL Rookie Of The Year

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For a while this year, when you looked at the Yankees lineup you wondered why anyone would ever pitch to Aaron Judge. If you were able to navigate Soto and Judge at the top, you pretty much won the game in easy fashion. That was the joke Luis Severino threw out there with how the team only has two hitters. 

Well, times have changed thankfully. Gleyber Torres has come on big time of late and solidified himself as the team's leadoff hitter. Jazz Chisholm is a nice bat in the 5 spot. Giancarlo when healthy this year has provided a productive power bat, despite whatever Klemmer has to say. But that cleanup spot was the one they really needed to find life from. Give opposing teams some second thoughts when it comes to pitching around Aaron Judge and make them pay if they do. 

Then Jose Trevino went down with an injury and forced Austin Wells into the lineup everyday. The 25 year old took that opportunity and ran with it. Soon enough, he clearly became the guy. 

Since the All Star Break, Wells is hitting .295 with a .511 slugging percentage. Good for an .891 OPS. In short, he's been a fucking monster. 

Austin Wells is everything Yankees fans have wanted in a catcher for years. Gary Sanchez could hit (at times) but couldn't physically catch the ball. Jose Trevino was a gold glove, but never gave you any fear of power at the plate. Austin Wells is the best of both worlds. 

A former top 100 prospect out of Arizona, Wells' scouting report said his defense was so bad that he wouldn't be able to stick at the position. He took that shit to heart and worked on his game for years. You watch games now and wouldn't have any idea this is a guy whose defense people were worried about. According to Baseball Savant, Wells is the second most valuable defensive catcher in the AL. Last weekend he gunned out the lightning fast Pete Crow Armstrong at 2nd. It was the first time that had happened to Pete all year. 

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He frames almost as well as Trevino, has better pop time, better arm speed, and mashes as well as any catcher in the game. Hell, the only reason people won't vote for him to win AL Rookie of the Year is that Boone was too stupid to play him more throughout the season. 

I'm currently seeing Wells as a slight odds on favorite over Cowser. Would be pretty cool for him to snag the award with how incredible a 2nd half he's had. I'm just happy the Yankees actually hit on a prospect for a change. Wells in the heart of the order followed by Stanton, Jazz, and now The Martian Jasson Dominguez gives the Yankees actual lineup depth. With the O's loss last night in Fenway, the Yankees have built up a two game lead in the loss column with 18 games to go. I feel like this is the highest that lead has been in a while. That's how attached at the hip these two teams have been. I'd kill to get to three games. Three would feel like ten. Just keep playing this way and I'll get crazy feelings about October. Austin Wells, I love you.