2024 Year In Review: Austin Wells

Austin Wells took over as the New York Yankees’ starting catcher in 2024, and he gave the team solid production from behind the plate.

Wells was one of the team’s best hitters throughout the year. He provided the lineup with some extra firepower from players not named “Aaron Judge” and “Juan Soto”. The catcher helped the Bronx Bombers win 94 games during the regular season and reach the World Series for the first time since 2009.

Wells made his debut in 2023, appearing in 19 games after his September call-up. The catcher started the year as the backup to Jose Trevino. His playing time began to increase in June and early July, but an injury to Trevino before the All-Star Break put Wells into the starting role. The rookie played nearly every day from that point forward and remained the starter even when Trevino returned to the team in September.

Wells played in 115 games during the 2024 regular season. He slashed .229/.322/.395 with 13 home runs, 55 RBIs, and 2.5 wins above replacement.

The catcher’s regular season success did not translate over into the playoffs. He was 6-50 with 2 home runs and four runs batted in.

Wells’ best game of the year came in August against the St. Louis Cardinals. He hit two homers and drove in four runs as the Yankees won 6-3. It is the only multi-homer game of the catcher’s career so far.

Wells finished third in the American League Rookie of the Year voting. His breakout season put him among some of the best catchers in MLB. The Yankees will rely on Wells to be their primary backstop in 2025 and beyond.

Casey Fahrer is a 2024 graduate of Syracuse University and a contributor to Inside The Pinstripes. He can be reached at caseyfahrer716@gmail.com.