TAMPA — The Yankees’ main league roster is in flux proper now, with no true shortstop, two second basemen and questions surrounding first base, heart discipline and catcher.
The franchise is also attempting to type out issues within the minors, the place there are various extremely ranked prospects at shortstop and several other at catcher.
That has left a number of scouts questioning the place a few of these minor leaguers would possibly find yourself, together with shortstop Anthony Volpe and catcher Austin Wells.
For now, although, the Yankees are decided to maintain Volpe at quick and Wells behind the plate — however they're open to being versatile with Wells.
“Relying the place different guys are, he can compete at Double-A with [Josh] Breaux,’’ Yankees VP of participant growth Kevin Reese stated of the group’s plans for Wells and one other of their finest backstop prospects. “Then we would get just a little artistic to maintain his bat within the lineup. None of that's [because] of concern about his catching capacity.”
Wells was drafted as a catcher within the first spherical of the 2020 draft out of the College of Arizona.
The 22-year-old hung out at first base and performed all three outfield positions in faculty, however he insists he considers himself solely a catcher proper now.
“I do love catching,’’ Wells stated. “It’s undoubtedly probably the most demanding place, which I like.”
He has been engaged on his arm power, which was a crimson flag for some scouts when he was drafted.
And he believes he has improved considerably in sure areas, one above all.
“Undoubtedly in receiving,’’ Wells stated. “That’s [been] the largest leap. It was evening and day from after I received right here til now.”
He performed nicely at Low-A Tampa and Excessive-A Hudson Valley final yr, hitting 16 homers with an .867 OPS in his first season within the execs, and adopted it up with a stellar efficiency within the Arizona Fall League, posting a 1.034 OPS in 18 video games.
His calling card stays his offense, with a strong bat from the left aspect, which is likely to be prepared for the majors earlier than the identical may be stated for his protection.
So far as the shortstop depth is anxious, Oswald Peraza figures to be ticketed for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, with Volpe at Somerset and Trey Sweeney at Excessive-A Hudson Valley.
“We wish to get them as many reps there as potential,” Reese stated of the shortstops.
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