In a thrilling 4-0 shutout against the Cleveland Guardians, the New York Yankees clinched a series win, thanks to an outstanding performance by starter Max Fried and the unsung hero behind the plate, catcher Austin Wells. Fried, a veteran pitcher who has quietly become a cornerstone of the Yankees’ rotation, delivered a masterclass on the mound, leaning heavily on Wells’ game-calling prowess and defensive acumen to secure the victory.
Fried, boasting an impressive 8-1 record and a 1.78 ERA across 13 starts this season, was in top form. Coming off a frustrating 4-0 loss to the Guardians on Wednesday, he flipped the script with a dominant shutout performance. In a postgame interview, Fried was quick to credit Wells for his pivotal role in the win.
“I felt like I was mixing my pitches really well, working well with Austin,” Fried said. “I feel like he had a really good feel of the game today and had a really big meeting when he came out during that 3-1 count to be able to settle me down a little bit and be able to get a big out.”
Wells, a first-round pick by the Yankees in the 2020 MLB Draft, has quickly emerged as a rising star. Making his MLB debut on September 1, 2023, he etched his name in the history books this season by becoming the first catcher in Yankees history—and in MLB history—to bat leadoff and hit a home run on Opening Day. With nine home runs, 32 RBIs, and a .209 batting average this season, Wells is still developing as a hitter but has already proven himself as an exceptional defensive catcher.
Max Fried credited Austin Wells for his success tonight:
“He had a really big meeting when he came out during that 3-1 count to be able to settle me down. He’s been doing a great job of learning me and seeing things throughout the game & I’ve been leaning on him a lot” pic.twitter.com/h10zJdHQbm
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) June 6, 2025
“He’s been doing a great job of learning me and seeing things throughout the game, and I’ve been leaning on him a lot,” Fried continued. “And then on top of that, you have some really nice defensive plays. You know, Volpe, Belli, you know, just made my job a lot easier.”
The praise for Wells doesn’t stop with Fried. Yankees star slugger Aaron Judge, a towering figure in the lineup, also expressed his confidence in the young catcher in an interview with the Daily News before a game in late March.
“I think the world of Austin as a player,” Judge said. “I think he’s going to become one of the really good two-way catchers in the league, and I think he’s ready to do that right now. So while I do feel like there are a number of guys in our lineup now, maybe some of them younger, that can fit that bill, I feel like he’s ready to handle that.”
While Fried’s brilliance on the mound often grabs headlines, it’s clear that Wells’ contributions behind the plate have been a secret weapon for the Yankees. His ability to manage the game, call pitches, and make crucial defensive plays has earned him the trust of one of the league’s top pitchers and the admiration of a superstar like Judge. As the Yankees continue their push this season, the synergy between Fried and Wells could prove to be the key to unlocking even more victories.