Yank's ROY Finalist Makes Opening Day History

Photo via Yankees (X)

BRONX, NY: The Yankees opened up yet another Opening Day. Yesterday, the Yankees and Brewers met in the Bronx for the first game of the 2025 season. Yankees Rookie of the Year finalist from just a season ago, Austin Wells, made his mark in his sophomore campaign. He even made a bit of MLB history.

Wells sent a drive over the right-field wall after connecting with a 2-0 ball from Freddy Peralta of the Brewers. According to Sarah Langs of MLB.com, it was the first Yankee to smash a leadoff home run on Opening Day and Wells became the first catcher with a leadoff home run on Opening Day in MLB history.

Wells may seem like an unconventional option to hit in the top spot, but he led the Yanks with six home runs during spring. However, manager Aaron Boone adores Wells' ability to reach base, particularly when he bats ahead of Aaron Judge, the current MVP of the American League.

After replacing Jose Trevino as the main catcher for the Yanks last season, Wells, 25, is starting his first full season in that role. Last season, he finished third in the AL Rookie of the Year voting after hitting .229/.322/.395 with 18 doubles, 13 home runs, and 55 RBIs in 115 games for the AL champions.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, he is the fifth catcher to bat first in an Opening Day lineup during the Modern Era (since 1901). The others were Roger Bresnahan (1906 with Giants), Butch Wynegar (1977 with Twins), Austin Nola (2022 with Padres), and Jason Kendall (2007 with Athletics, 1999 and 2000 with Pirates).

Wells' explosion is the first leadoff home run by a catcher in an AL/NL game since MJ Melendez of the Royals on September 28, 2022, and only the 21st in the league's history.