• Full name Austin Kenneth Wells
  • Born 07/12/1999 in Las Vegas, NV
  • Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: L / Throws: R
  • School Arizona
  • Drafted in the 1st round (28th overall) by the New York Yankees in 2020 (signed for $2,500,000).
    View Draft Report
    Picked by the Yankees in the 35th round in 2018 out of perennial high school powerhouse Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas, Wells instead chose to follow in his father’s footsteps by heading to Arizona. He’s posted outstanding hitting stats in both of his seasons with the Wildcats as well as last summer in the Cape Cod League. Wells has an outstanding approach at the plate with plus raw power, using a simple swing with good bat control. In both of his college seasons, he walked more than he struck out, impressive for any hitter but especially for a power hitter like Wells. A hole in his swing gives him problems with pitches away, but that’s a fixable problem. The bat is impressive enough that most teams view him as a first-round player, but questions remain as to where he fits best on the field. If he could stay behind the plate, he’d be a certain first-round pick, but there are more scouts who are skeptical of Wells’ receiving ability than think he can make it as a catcher. He has trouble blocking and receiving pitches, especially knee to knee on the glove side, and there’s a record of elbow issues dating back to high school. An arm that once earned plus grades is now too frequently below-average. He focused heavily on improving his defensive reputation over the offseason but didn’t have much opportunity to showcase the results in a shortened 2020 season. He’s seen time at both first base and all three outfield positions since leaving high school. Some observers believe Wells is athletic enough to handle the outfield and that the range and instincts can be developed, while others think he’s not twitchy enough for the outfield and doesn’t have the footwork for first base. He’s an average runner. If concerns with his defense cause Wells’ draft position to drop more than expected, he's got the leverage to return to Arizona for his junior year but lefthanded bats of his quality are typically highly sought after.

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Career Transactions

  • C Austin Wells assigned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders from Somerset Patriots.
  • Somerset Patriots activated C Austin Wells from the 7-day injured list.
  • Somerset Patriots activated C Austin Wells from the 7-day injured list.
  • Somerset Patriots sent C Austin Wells on a rehab assignment to Tampa Tarpons.
  • Somerset Patriots sent C Austin Wells on a rehab assignment to Tampa Tarpons.
  • Somerset Patriots placed C Austin Wells on the 7-day injured list.
  • C Austin Wells roster status changed by New York Yankees.
  • New York Yankees invited non-roster C Austin Wells to spring training.

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