Austin Wells’ improved plate discipline deserves better results
The Yankees catcher’s elite walk rate and newfound patience, plus a few tweaks with his swing, could enable a breakout
Apr 11, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells (28) runs the bases after hitting a home run against the Tampa Bay Rays in the second inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells entered Tuesday’s series opener against the Red Sox with a disappointing .
180/. 344/. 260 line, one home run, two RBI, and a 78 wRC+.
For a player who posted a 107 wRC+ in 2024 and a 94 mark last year, it’s certainly a step back. By now, we all know that Wells is a solid defender and an elite framer, and that’s still the case in 2026. His ceiling as a player, however, will be closely tied to his offensive ability, and right now, his output has been nothing to write home about.
It’s still April, though, and there’s some light at the end of the tunnel if we look under the hood. Wells hasn’t overhauled his swing mechanics or made any huge changes to his timing mechanism. His .