If Austin Wells isn’t careful, the Yankees may end up replacing him with a prospect that one hitting coach believes is “generational” in their minor-league system.
Wells has struggled to open the 2024 season as a rookie, but the Yankees will give him plenty of time to work his way up the totem pole and grow as an offensive threat. His expected results are far higher than his actual production, indicating he may be getting a bit unlucky. Still, the Yankees have one of the deepest catcher positions in baseball, especially regarding their rising prospects.
The Yankees Have An Exciting Young Catcher Prospect
Keep a close eye on Agustin Ramirez, a 22-year-old who’s destroying the baseball in Double-A, priming himself for a promotion to Triple-A soon enough. Recently, Somerset hitting Coach Kevin Martir dropped a fantastic quote about Ramirez and his offensive upside, noting his elite power and contact capabilities.
“I think he might be like a generational player,” Martir told Somerset reporter Matt Kardos on May 31. “Not many guys at his age can make contact as much as he does and hit the ball as hard as he does with that bat speed. He’s an outlier, for sure.”
Ramirez has played 45 games with Double-A this season after spending 31 in 2023 with Somerset. He’s hitting .271/.373/.553, including 12 homers and 35 RBIs with 12 stolen bases, a 17.4% strikeout rate, 13.4% walk rate, and 156 wRC+. He might end up becoming what the Yankees prayed Gary Sanchez would one day develop into, especially regarding the power metrics and ability to hit home runs in Yankee Stadium.
Given Ramirez’s age, there are a few flaws to his game, most of which come on the defensive side. Fortunately, the Yankees are utilizing Ramirez at multiple positions, including first base and some at designated hitter. His action at first base could be extremely important, especially when 2025 comes around and the Yankees likely take the out in Anthony Rizzo’s contract. They could spark a position battle between Ramirez and Ben Rice, two catchers at the MiLB level who are dabbling at first base and trying to expand their skill set.
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The Yankees have a significant amount of talent at catcher, and expanding their versatility is ultimately a great move, capitalizing on other talent and helping to keep costs down as they look to extend Juan Soto on a blockbuster contract.