Why Yankees’ Austin Wells spends so much time at 1st base while killing it behind plate.
SAN FRANCISCO — Yankees rookie catcher Austin Wells got to the ballpark early Friday. Before starting his pre-game work, he wanted to check out Oracle Park for the first time.
“I like to do that at new ballparks for me,” Wells said before going 1-for-4 in a Yankees’ 6-2 win over the Giants that included Aaron Judge homering twice.
He’d seen TV highlights of Barry Bonds and others hitting home runs to right field that carried out of the ballpark and splashed into McCovey Cove, so he went out to the right-field stands and walked up to the top row. He wanted to see just how long of a poke it is hitting a home run into the water.
He’s a left-handed hitter and hopes to put one in the Cove in a game someday … like this weekend.
“That’s the plan,” Wells said with a smile.
Another is mastering his second position.
On his own this season, Wells has been working out before games at first base on days he’s not catching. He takes groundballs, works on his footwork and practices scooping throws intentionally short-hopped by a coach.
“The backhands are a lot easier for me,” Wells said.
Throughout all of Wells’ first base work, Yankees infield coach Travis Chapman stands nearby offering pointers.
