Austin Wells’ Potential New Role Could Open the Door for Ben Rice, Yankees’ Next Big Name Behind the Plate

The New York Yankees’ catching situation is turning heads. Just last year, Austin Wells looked like the undisputed future behind the plate. But whispers around Spring Training suggest change is afoot, leaving baseball insiders pondering: could this be a shakeup unlike any Yankees fans have ever seen?

Enter super prospect Ben Rice. After rocketing through the minors, this rising star’s power and discipline at the plate make him impossible to ignore. He could be the key to unlocking the next evolution of the Bombers’ lineup. Could Wells and Rice share the catching duties in a surprising twist? Or will Rice make history as the next Bronx Bomber powerhouse?

Austin Wells: From Ace Catcher to Platoon Partner?

Wells, lauded as the Yankees’ catcher of the future, may be in for a role change. Yankees ace Gerrit Cole, known for his Cy Young-caliber pitching and high standards, offered positive reviews of Wells to The NY Daily News after the Bombers’ first bullpen session: “He’s been a good player for us ever since he’s come up.” Wells may soon face stiffer competition after an impressive, power-packed 2023 season from newcomer Ben Rice.

Manager Aaron Boone has praised Austin Wells’ improvement behind the plate but remains steadfast, saying, “Right now, I just want him focusing on our staff and the catcher position.” Wells seems destined for a platoon role, backing up All-Star Jose Trevino while getting in his at-bats at other positions. Where does this leave Rice in the lineup?

Ben Rice is no stranger to defying expectations. An Ivy League alum with limited collegiate experience, the Yankees took a chance on him in the 2021 draft. Fast forward to his breakout 2023 campaign, where his left-handed power hitting and plate discipline drew significant praise, including recognition from Baseball America as the Best Hitter for Average in the Yankees system.

“All Rice did was hit in 2023, at every level,” remarked observers at Yanks Go Yard. They add, “The Yankees will take as many 6’1”, 215-pound lefty hitters with exceptional contact skills as they can get.” Though considered somewhat positionless (first base or catcher), Rice’s bat might prove too tantalizing to ignore.

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Ben Rice’s MLB Opportunity

With his performance escalating, speculation swirls among fans. One analyst at Yardbarker put it bluntly: “With just 163 games of professional action, Ben Rice has progressed quickly in a short amount of time, and this year could be his chance to earn a job during the season.” Could a change in Austin Wells’ role be the answer to Rice’s breakout into the majors? Could the Bombers have two promising, powerful young catchers on their hands?

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The stage is set. Amidst Austin Wells’ growing pains as a major league catcher, Ben Rice is waiting in the wings with a red-hot bat and a relentless drive. While it may seem like an unusual situation, having two dynamic, young catchers can only bolster the Yankees’ future, particularly when one might just be their next cleanup hitter in disguise. This Yankees catching tandem may not be playing by the conventional script, but in the game of baseball, talent has a way of always finding the spotlight.