HOUSTON — Due to ’The Martian” who was manning center field and blasting a house run in his first profession at-bat, Austin Wells’ first game as a significant leaguer flew a bit under the radar.
But it surely is not less than possible the long run on a regular basis Yankees catcher made a successful debut Friday.
Wells singled in his first MLB at-bat as a part of a 1-for-4 night within the Yankees’ 6-2 win over the Astros at Minute Maid Park.
“That was awesome,” said Wells, who later added “unbelievable,” “amazing” and “sick” to explain his day. “I believe it’s good to examine the box in the primary [at-bat], after which after that I used to be just on the market having fun.”
Within the second inning, Wells worked a full count against Justin Verlander and smacked a single into right field. He reached first base, collected himself and glanced as much as the stands, where the “whole crew” — his parents, brothers, cousins, grandparents — were “going crazy,” he said.
It had been a whirlwind few days for the 24-year-old, who was alerted alongside Jasson Dominguez on Wednesday night, after Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre played in Rochester, that their long climbs were finished.
He talked along with his father, who complimented Wells’ haircut, before Wells asked if it looked like a big-league haircut.
Wells looked like a giant leaguer on the plate, also adding a sharply hit, 100.9-mph ground ball that became a double play, and looked comfortable behind the plate in working with Carlos Rodon and three Yankees relievers.
“I believed he was just pretty locked in,” said Rodon, who had worked with Wells during spring training and a rehab start. “Probably not nervous in any respect, so it was good.”
A primary-round pick in 2020, Wells was drafted out of the University of Arizona primarily for a lefty bat that has mostly lived as much as expectation.
Regarded for knowledge of the strike zone and an expert approach, Wells posted a .770 OPS with 11 home runs in 58 games at Double-A Somerset before hitting higher (.802 OPS) in 33 games with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Since Gary Sanchez’s bat tailed off after which was traded, the Yankees have lacked a catcher who consistently produces offensively.
The concerns with Wells lie more defensively, a fact he acknowledges.
But he “absolutely” views this chance as a likelihood to prove he generally is a major league catcher.
“I believe I’m here to do this as well,” said Wells, who sports a bushy mustache, “after which play and help the team win.”
The largest knock on Wells has been an arm that threw out 13 percent of base-stealers within the minors this season.
The identical criticism had followed Jose Trevino, who improved his arm strength with the organization.
“It’s an area that isn’t a strength,” said manager Aaron Boone, who was pleased with the way in which Wells handled the staff on Day One. “It’s something he must proceed to work on.”
Boone also called Wells “mature” and “smart” and didn’t have doubts that Wells could quickly get on the identical page with the pitching staff.
Wells will catch often, Boone said, and sometimes function designated hitter.
It’s so much to ask of Wells, who had talked with media about three hours before first pitch after which rushed off, ensuring he could handle Rodon and whichever relievers — Randy Vasquez, Wandy Peralta and Jonathan Loaisiga, because it turned out — would follow out of the bullpen.
All while preparing to face Verlander.
“There’s so much on his plate,” Boone said. “We feel like he’s equipped to handle it.”