Yankees Catcher Austin Wells Just Hit a Slump Not Seen Since the Nixon Era

Austin Wells is in a brutal skid at the plate. And we are talking historically bad. The kind of numbers that make you check the calendar to see if it’s actually 1976 again.

The Yankees catcher has an OPS sitting at .150 through enough at-bats to qualify for the leaderboard. According to the team’s beat reporters, that is the worst mark by any Yankee with at least 175 plate appearances since Jim Mason posted a .445 OPS back when Gerald Ford was president. Let that sink in for a second. The number is so low it almost looks like a typo.

His batting average sits at .160. Chris Kirschner of The Athletic pointed out that in the entire history of the franchise, only four players have finished a season hitting .160 or worse with at least 185 plate appearances. The list includes Joey Gallo (twice, in 2021 and 2022), Jim Mason in 1975, and Dick Howser in 1968. That is not the company a 26-year-old former first-round pick wants to keep.

Injuries and a Missing Rhythm

Wells did spend time on the injured list earlier this year. Coming back from that can throw off your timing, and for a catcher, the wear and tear is real. But at some point, excuses stop mattering and results do. The Yankees need production from that spot, especially right now.

With Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton both sidelined by injuries, the lineup is thin. New York cannot afford a dead spot in the order, and Wells has been exactly that for weeks. It is fair to wonder if the front office starts looking at trade options before the deadline. Catchers who can hit are hard to find, but the current situation is not sustainable.

Boone Is Still in His Corner

Manager Aaron Boone is not ready to pull the plug yet. He sees something underneath the ugly numbers.

“I feel like he’s moving the needle right now, believe it or not,” Boone said. “Had a really good at-bat off the bench last night. Had the base hit the night before. He was really struggling there for a while. I feel like he’s gaining a little bit of traction. I know the results haven’t necessarily been there yet. I just think his move is better.”

That is the kind of vote of confidence a struggling player needs to hear. But the clock is ticking. Baseball is a results business, and Wells has run out of the benefit of the doubt that usually comes with prospect pedigree. The Yankees need him to turn it around, or they will have to find someone who can.