MLB News: Aaron Boone sends a clear message about Austin Wells after Yankees' first home run of the season

Aaron Boone witnessed Austin Wells shine as the standout player in the New York Yankees’ 2025 season opener. Wells delivered a rare home run for the team’s catcher position during the regular season. Boone didn’t hold back his praise, commending Wells not only for his offensive performance but also for his defensive contributions throughout the game.

Following the Yankees’ 4-2 home victory against the Brewers, Boone shared his thoughts on Wells’ performance, stating, “I thought he was great behind the plate… Some really good at bats too. That’s what he is capable of, he was excellent today.”

Boone further acknowledged that Wells is in one of the best moments of his career, particularly highlighting his growth as a catcher: “It’s remarkable, really is. To see where he’s at now, to me, is one of the game’s really good defensive catchers. It’s a testament to the work he’s put in.”

Wells isn’t typically the type of player known for hitting many home runs during the MLB season. Last year, he contributed 13 home runs, which is currently his career-best with the Yankees since his MLB debut in 2023, where he hit just 4 home runs.

Wells’ Projection Could Be a Positive Sign for the Yankees

Baseball Reference projects a promising 2025 season for Wells, estimating 415 plate appearances, 45 runs, 87 hits, and 14 home runs with a .240 batting average. If he can stay healthy and continue his hard work, this could shape up to be a record-breaking year for him.

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The Yankees’ Young Players Are Making Strides

Austin Wells isn’t the only young player showing progress and improvement season after season. Recently, he earned high praise from Aaron Judge, who reacted positively to both his home run and Anthony Volpe’s during the game.

These are exactly the types of players the Yankees need to avoid having a roster filled with ‘older’ players who struggle to stay in top form for more than two or three seasons or who are frequently sidelined by injuries, missing significant chunks of the year.