Yankees: Austin Wells Signs Contract With NYY and Shaved for the Occasion

The New York Yankees have signed 2020 first-round draft pick Austin Wells.

When MLB commissioner Rob Manfred announced the New York Yankees had selected Arizona slugger Austin Wells with the No. 28 pick in the 2020 draft, fans said to themselves, “Really, another catcher?” But then came some highlight clips of the kid’s bat, and everyone quickly retracted their doubt.

The Yankees scouting director compared him to Minnesota Twins legend Joe Mauer and others have suggested his sweet-swinging lefty bat will expedite his promotion to the bigs in the next few years.

Let the journey begin, because Wells is now officially a Yankee after signing his contract. And he’s already clean shaven!

Truly couldn’t be more of a Yankee shaving for the occasion. George Steinbrenner would be proud.

Is this anything we didn’t expect, though? Did you see Wells’ reaction when the Yankees drafted him two weeks ago?

Can’t deny that excitement!

Wells might’ve been the second catcher the Yankee selected in the first-round over the last three years despite the presence of Gary Sanchez, but the 20-year-old proved his bat was too valuable to pass up. Additionally, he has experience playing first base and the corner outfield spots, so there are options in case things don’t work out at catcher.

In 113 games across college and the Cape Cod League — where he was named the 2019 Outstanding Pro Prospect — Wells slashed .339/.446/.547 with 108 runs scored, 14 home runs, 100 RBI and 15 stolen bases.

It’s a bummer that Wells won’t be able to begin his professional career until 2021, but with his dedication to the game (scouts have said he plays with Bryce Harper-like intensity), Yankee fans should be confident he’ll be spending the next eight months training religiously to prepare himself for his professional debut.

Welcome to the Yankees, Austin! We think you’ll like it here.