Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

Yankees' Austin Wells Takes It Slow in Spring Training as Catcher Depth Raises Concerns

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kristie Ackert | Last updated Feb 18, 2025 2:51 PM ET

Austin Wells said he is taking it slow this spring because last season's workload may have worn him down. The New York Yankees catcher insists he is healthy, but he is not taking live batting practice with the other position players.

In his latest Yankees spring training update, manager Aaron Boone also said Wells would not play in the first week of spring training games. He explained that he wanted to manage the young catcher's workload wisely early on.

The Yankees are concerned about Wells's performance in the second half of last season after catching a career-high 115 games. He hit .325 in August last year but then slumped, going just 8-for-72 (.111) in September.

So, it is curious that the Yankees did not bring in a veteran backstop to help him carry the load in 2025.

The Yankees' MLB catching depth behind Wells is pretty slim.

The Yankees acquired veteran catcher Alex Jackson in the trade that sent their former All-Star catcher Jose Trevino to the Cincinnati Reds.

Jackson qualifies as a veteran because he will be 30 in December more than major league experience. In the five seasons since his major league debut with the Atlanta Braves in 2019, he has started 93 games, the bulk of which, 46, came with the Tampa Bay Rays last season.

Jackson is seen as a defensive catcher because he is a very light bat.

According to Baseball Savant, he is ranked in the 81st percentile of major league catchers in framing. He is a career .132 hitter who hit .122 with the Rays before being designated for assignment in September.

Still, even as a non-roster invitee, Jackson is considered the favorite in this Yankees roster battle.

The only catcher besides Wells on the 40-man roster is J.C.Escarra, a 29-year-old minor league journeyman. Escarra has only 52 games experience at Triple-A but did play independent ball in 2022 and '23.

Ben Rice, who made his major league debut last year, has been working with the catchers this spring, but the Yankees see him more as a first baseman. He hit .171 with seven home runs in 50 games last season.

The Yankees also have Ronaldo Hernandez, 27, in camp. Although he has been on several major league rosters, he has never played in a major league game.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: