The Main League baseball season is simply across the nook, however the fantasy baseball season is in full swing as drafts and auctions are occurring each day and twice on Sunday.
With the fantasy season now right here, so too is the fixed seek for the hidden gems, these gamers who will really be the distinction between successful and dropping. With that in thoughts, I current New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells as this week’s Up-and-Coming Dynasty Participant.
Wells began the 2024 season splitting time behind the plate however took over the position as the first catcher halfway by way of the season. If you have a look at his stats, it’s possible you’ll surprise why I like him. So let’s discover out why.
Profession Statistics
SEASON
AB
H
R
HR
RBI
SB
AVG
OBP
SLG
2023
70
16
8
4
13
0
.229
.257
.486
2024
354
81
42
13
55
1
.229
.322
.395
162-Recreation Avg.
513
117
60
21
82
1
.229
.312
.410
A Little Background
Austin Wells is a participant who the Yankees have favored since his highschool days at Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas. New York first drafted Wells within the thirty fifth spherical of the 2018 draft. Wells determined to move to Arizona to play school ball and in 71 profession video games, he slashed .357/.476/.560 with seven homers and 74 RBI. Most of that injury got here in 2019 throughout his freshman yr. In 56 video games, he slashed .353/.462/.552 with 5 homers and 60 RBI to win the Pac 12 Freshman of the Yr Award.
He was off to an incredible begin in 2020 as he was slashing .375/.527/.589 by way of the primary 15 video games, however the season then got here to an finish on account of COVID. Wells was draft eligible in 202o and the Yankees chosen him once more, this time because the twenty eighth general choice. It didn’t take lengthy for Wells to work his means by way of the system as he made his debut in 2023 and have become the starter final yr.
Properly’s Recreation
Thus far, Wells has not had the identical sort of success on the plate on the subject of his batting common that he skilled within the minors. In solely three seasons down on the farm, he had a .260/.370/.476 slash line. Not nice when in comparison with a number of the prime prospects, however strong numbers for a catcher. With the Yankees, his profession slash line presently sits at .229/.312/.410.
When you have a look at his StatCast numbers, they aren’t going to make you are feeling like Wells is a must have catcher. His xBA ranked within the thirty sixth percentile final yr and his common EV ranked within the thirty fourth percentile.
However these numbers mirror the primary three months of the season for Wells, a interval wherein he appeared in 50 video games and had 140 at-bats, slashing .214/.307/.343. Nevertheless, from July by way of August, Wells was top-of-the-line hitters within the New York lineup. In 44 video games and 142 at-bats, he slashed .303/.389/.549.
Austin Wells has a good suggestion of the strike zone. His 11.4 stroll price ranked within the 89th percentile and his strikeout price (21.0%) ranked within the 54th percentile. He hardly ever chases pitches out of the zone as his 25.5% Chase Price ranked within the seventieth percentile. Amongst certified hitters on the Yankees final season, Wells ranked third in xOBP, 4th in xwOBA, xSLG and xISO and fifth in Barrel% and Exhausting Hit%.
Total, Wells is displaying he’s not a nasty hitter and I count on enchancment this yr.
Whereas I feel Wells will see an uptick in his slash line going ahead, the actual motive I like Wells is because of his energy potential. He hit 13 dingers final season, and 10 of these came visiting the ultimate three months. As you possibly can see within the desk above, his 162-game common is 21 homers and 82 RBI.
Everyone knows catchers will not be going to play in all 162 video games, however he’ll doubtless play in 12- to 130 video games. His capacity to drive the ball ought to result in 18 or so homers, even presumably 20. Why? As a result of Wells, who’s a left-handed hitter, ought to have the ability to benefit from the brief porch in Yankee Stadium.
Wells pulled the ball 32% of the time final yr and had a 29.1% fly ball price (the MLB common is 26.3%). His Air Proportion (Fly Balls + Line Drives + Pop Ups) was 62.5% final yr. This can be a hitter who lifts the ball, which is ideal for his dwelling park. All however certainly one of his dwelling runs went to proper area or right-center area final yr. Wells makes strong contact, has above common bat velocity, and pulls the ball in a park that favors his hitting model.
Austin Wells has just one steal within the majors, however he’s not a plodding catcher. Throughout his time within the minors, he stole 39 bases and was solely caught as soon as. However the Yankees aren’t recognized to be a working crew, so maybe Wells received’t get too many probabilities to steal bases. However he has proven up to now that he’s greater than able to swiping a bag or two.
The Verdict
Relying on what platform you employ, Wells is both a particularly underrated participant or one everybody already is aware of about. In ESPN leagues, solely 26.5% of gamers have Wells on their roster. That proportion will increase to 60% on Yahoo and strikes as much as a whopping 96% in Fantrax, with him on 91% of lively rosters.
In two catcher leagues, Austin Wells is a should add for apparent causes as he’s the catcher for the Yankees and thus shall be within the lineup lots. However even in 12-team leagues, I could make the case that he must be in your crew. His dwelling run complete ranked tied for fifteenth amongst catchers final season, and with extra video games performed this yr, that rating is greater than prone to go up. He additionally ranked twelfth in RBI, fifteenth in SLG, and sixteenth in Exhausting Hit%.
The expertise is there to enhance in all of these areas, and at solely 25 years outdated, Wells can develop into an anchor at catcher for years.
Thanks for studying and are available again once more subsequent week.
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