Austin Wells is in the fold: ‘Officially a Yankee!’

To start with-spherical draft decide on Austin Wells has signed on the dotted line.

“Officially a Yankee!’’ Wells, the 28th-total decide on in the first spherical of the 2020 MLB Draft, posted to his Twitter account on Thursday night with a image of him putting on a Yankees cap and pinstripe jersey.

The 20-year-previous catcher — who originally was drafted by the Yankees in the 35th spherical in 2018 in advance of choosing to enjoy at Arizona — agreed to a $2.5 million reward, in accordance to Certainly Community. That just about matches the $2,493,900 encouraged slot price of his range.

Wells said right after the draft the potential detrimental effect the coronavirus would have on the minimal league year this period was not a element in his final decision to flip pro and forego a third calendar year with Arizona.

“Honestly, the choice was up to in which I got drafted and what the program was,’’ mentioned Wells, a remaining-handed hitter. “I really don’t believe whether or not there was minimal league game titles was the decision-maker if I was likely back again to college or university or not.

“I consider it was the ideal in shape for me to transfer on, go ahead and be a Yankee.’’

Wells experienced an remarkable occupation at Arizona. He experienced a dominant initially year with the Wildcats, slashing .353/.462/.552, turning into the to start with Arizona player to be named Pac-12 Freshman of the 12 months.

Just before the coronavirus pandemic minimize his sophomore marketing campaign brief, Wells was batting .375 with a .527 on-base share.  He finished his 1½-year faculty vocation with 99 hits, seven home operates and 74 RBIs.