Austin Wells gave the Yankees a positive moment at the plate in Thursday’s win over the Rays, going 1-for-4 with a home run, one RBI, one walk and two runs scored. But while the blast will stand out in the box score, it does not change the broader picture: Wells is still in the middle of a difficult stretch offensively.
Wells provides a spark, but the wider concern remains
The home run was a welcome contribution, and any catcher who can impact a game with one swing adds value. Even so, Wells has managed hits in only two of his last 11 contests, which is why his overall line remains under pressure.
Through 63 games, Wells is batting.151 with five home runs, 11 RBI, 18 runs scored and one stolen base. That is a tough return for a player whose offensive production has not matched the expectations around his role in the lineup.
Why the Yankees still value him
The bigger point, though, is that Wells is still considered more valuable for what he does behind the plate. His game calling gives Aaron Boone a reason to keep trusting him, even when the bat has not been producing consistently.
That does not mean the Yankees can ignore the hitting issues. It simply means Wells remains part of the conversation for more than one reason, and Thursday’s home run was best viewed as a small step forward rather than evidence that the slump has fully turned around.
Published by Chris Schommer on Thu, Jul 9th at 8:53pm EDT, the update leaves Wells in the same familiar place: still useful to the Yankees, but still needing a stronger run at the plate to quiet the questions.
