Arizona Baseball

Arizona Wildcats’ Austin Wells Selected 28th in First Round of MLB Draft by New York Yankees

Arizona catcher Austin Wells became the 12th first-round selection in the program’s history with his No. 28 pick by the New York Yankees in today’s Major League Baseball Draft.

In his brief two-year career for Arizona, Wells played 71 games and batted .357 with seven home runs and 74 RBIs in 277 at-bats.

He is the son of Greg and Michelle Wells, both former Arizona athletes. His mom was a gymnast at Arizona and dad played baseball with the Wildcats. They raised Austin in Las Vegas, where he starred at Bishop Gorman High School.

Austin Wells (Arizona Athletics photo)

Austin was selected by the New York Yankees in the 35th round of the 2018 Major League Baseball Draft out of high school but opted to play for Jay Johnson and the Wildcats.

He is draft eligible although he is not a junior because he will turn 21 in July.

Wells’ profile with MLB scouts blossomed when he proved to be one of the top players in the Cape Cod League last summer. He batted .308 with seven home runs and eight stolen bases on eight attempts.

Although primarily a catcher, Wells’ versatility can allow him to play at different position. In the Cape Cod League, he logged time at five different defensive positions — catcher, first base and all outfield positions.

A majority of scouts consider Wells one of the best offensive college prospects in the draft.

Arizona Recruit Drafted

Arizona signee Nick Yorke, a second baseman out of San Jose (Calif.) Archbishop Mitty High School, was the No. 17 pick overall in the first round, going to the Boston Red Sox. Yorke batted .457 in his four-year career at Archbiship Mitty.

Arizona Baseball First-Round Picks

YearPickPlayerPosOrganizationNote
19659Eddie LeonSSMinnesota TwinsUnsigned/MLB 6 years
1980 22Terry FranconaOFMontreal ExposMLB 9 years
198518Joe MagraneLHPSt. Louis CardinalsMLB 8 years
198924Alan ZinterCNew York MetsMLB 2 years
199023Lance DicksonLHPChicago CubsMLB 1 year
200017Ben DigginsRHPLos Angeles DodgersMLB 1 year
200315Brian AndersonOFChicago White SoxMLB 6 years
200514Trevor CroweOFCleveland IndiansMLB 4 years
200821Ryan PerryRHPDetroit TigersMLB 4 years
200826Daniel SchlerethLHP Arizona DiamondbacksMLB 4 years
201519Kevin NewmanSSPittsburgh PiratesMLB 2 years
202028Austin WellsCNew York Yankees--

Austin Wells Honors & Awards:

  • 2020 Pac-12 Spring Academic Honor Roll
  • 2020 Collegiate Baseball Second-Team All-American
  • 2020 Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award watch list
  • 2020 Pac-12 Player of the Week (2/18)
  • 2020 NCBWA Third-Team Preseason All-American
  • 2020 Baseball America Second-Team Preseason All-American
  • 2020 D1Baseball Second-Team Preseason All-American
  • 2020 Perfect Game Second-Team Preseason All-American
  • 2020 Collegiate Baseball Second-Team Preseason All-American
  • 2019 Pac-12 Freshman of the Year
  • 2019 Pac-12 All-Conference Honorable Mention
  • 2019 D1Baseball First-Team Freshmen All-American
  • 2019 Baseball America First-Team Freshmen All-American
  • 2019 Collegiate Baseball Freshmen All-American
  • 2019 NCBWA First-Team Freshman All-American
  • 2019 Perfect Game/Rawlings Freshmen All-American
  • 2019 Cape Cod League All-Star (starter)
  • 2019 Cape Cod League Outstanding Pro Prospect
  • 2019 Arizona Summer Player of the Year

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