"I look forward to the challenge" - Austin Wells unfazed by cleanup duty behind Aaron Judge as teams opt to walk the Yankees captain

The New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells has been enjoying his opportunities at bat in the middle of the lineup. Wells, who is frequently put in the clean-up position in the batting order by Yankees manager Aaron Boone, expressed his delight with his position.

Wells was picked in the 2020 MLB Draft and his impact with a bat has quickly been felt. He is now seen as one of the promising talents of the Yankees. Wells discussed his approach to the clean-up duty behind Aaron Judge on the SNY channel.

"If I was them, I'd be walking Judge too. You know for me, I don't take it personal, but I look forward to the challenge. Having a guy on base and having Judge on base, I will take that every time," said Austin Wells.

"Obviously, we want to see him hit and do damage and hit balls over the fence. But as an opposing team, it makes sense to put him on first and attack the rest of the guys. For us, it’s our job to get on and keep moving the lineup," said Austin Wells.

The 24-year-old Wells has been in the spotlight due to Aaron Judge's consistent ability to draw walks from opponents. Teams often choose to walk Judge to avoid the power he brings to the plate, opting instead to face the next batter.

This strategy underscores Judge's offensive impact and Wells' growing role as a key player in the Yankees' lineup.

As the Yankees continue their season, Wells’ ability to handle these situations will be crucial. His approach to batting behind Judge reflects a broader understanding of the game and the dynamics of high-pressure situations.

With Judge drawing walks and creating scoring opportunities, Wells' task is to capitalize on these chances and keep the momentum going.

Austin Wells thriving in cleanup spot behind Aaron Judge

Since being moved to the cleanup spot, Yankees rookie catcher Austin Wells has been making a significant impact. Hitting .358 with two home runs and nine RBI, Wells has embraced his role, especially with Aaron Judge frequently walked by opposing teams.

Initially, Wells struggled with a .214 average while backing up Jose Trevino. However, after being given regular at-bats due to Trevino’s injury, Wells’ performance improved significantly. His turnaround is related to maintaining confidence in himself and not changing his approach even if the results might be slow.

Since Wells began batting cleanup on July 20, the Yankees are 9-6. Wells appreciates the chance to hit behind stars like Judge and Juan Soto, as it allows him to see more pitches and build his confidence at the plate.