First-round draft pick Austin Wells has signed on the dotted line.
“Officially a Yankee!’’ Wells, the 28th-overall pick in the first round of the 2020 MLB Draft, posted to his Twitter account on Thursday night with a photo of him wearing a Yankees cap and pinstripe jersey.
The 20-year-old catcher — who originally was drafted by the Yankees in the 35th round in 2018 before deciding to play at Arizona — agreed to a $2.5 million bonus, according to YES Network. That just about matches the $2,493,900 recommended slot value of his selection.
Wells said after the draft the potential negative impact the coronavirus would have on the minor league season this season was not a factor in his decision to turn pro and forego a third year with Arizona.
“Honestly, the decision was up to where I got drafted and what the program was,’’ said Wells, a left-handed hitter. “I don’t think whether or not there was minor league games was the decision-maker if I was going back to college or not.
“I think it was the best fit for me to move on, go forward and be a Yankee.’’
Wells had an impressive career at Arizona. He had a dominant first season with the Wildcats, slashing .353/.462/.552, becoming the first Arizona player to be named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year.
Before the coronavirus pandemic cut his sophomore campaign short, Wells was batting .375 with a .527 on-base percentage. He finished his 1½-season college career with 99 hits, seven home runs and 74 RBIs.