Even Aaron Boone is surprised by Austin Wells' breakout season

When the postseason starts, the man protecting Aaron Judge in the New York Yankees’ lineup will likely be rookie catcher Austin Wells. No one — not even his own manager — expected Wells to take on such a crucial role this year.

Following the Yankees’ 10-4 win over the Kansas City Royals Monday, Aaron Boone was asked if he anticipated Wells’ offensive onslaught when the season started. “No,” the Bombers skipper bluntly replied, per the New York Post. “Not to this level. Not to the level he’s been now for a couple months.”

Fact check true. Wells has been on a tear since the start of July. He entered the month hitting just .214/.307/.343. Now, he’s slashing .252/.342/.438 — respectable numbers that really pop in the context of where he was in the first half of the season.

As the No. 4 hitter, the 25-year-old backstop has truly upped his game. In 110 at-bats as the cleanup hitter, he’s raked at a .309/.373/.536 pace, with six homers and 28 RBI.

After drilling a three-run homer and an RBI double on Monday, Wells has 13 long balls and 49 runs plated on the year in just 306 at-bats. His performance has him smack dab in the middle of the AL Rookie of the Year conversation.

While Boone didn’t expect Wells to break out so soon, he did know the potential was there. “He’s always been able to hit,” Boone said. “…this is a guy that was drafted because he was a really good hitter.”