4 players Cleveland Indians must get from Yankees in Francisco Lindor trade

3. Austin Wells, C

This catching prospect hasn’t played a game in the Yankees organization, but New York likes him so much, they drafted him twice.

He was a 35th-round selection coming out of high school in 2018, but he went to Arizona where all he did was hit, hit and hit some more. In two college seasons, Wells hit .353 with a 1.014 OPS. The Yankees took him 28th overall this past June.

You’ve probably noticed Wells is listed as a catcher, but it’s not a certainty he’ll play the position at the big-league level. He’s had elbow troubles, according to MLB Pipeline. With an ability to run well, he could project as a corner outfielder in the future in the mold of Kyle Schwarber.

He’s yet to make his pro debut, but Wells is already ranked as the sixth best prospect on New York’s farm.

Currently, the Indians have their own former first-round pick working his way through the minors in Bo Naylor. Naylor hasn’t played higher than the Class A level, but was invited to the Tribe’s alternate site last summer.

If Wells is to be included in a deal, I would think Carlos Carrasco would have to be involved in this deal. The Yankees spent slightly more over his draft slot to lock him for $2.5 million.