When the Red Sox visit The Bronx on Friday, they will bring with them a reminder of a clear Yankees strength and the choices that have resulted in Austin Wells being the Yankees’ main catcher.
Carlos Narváez, who joined the Yankees from Venezuela in 2015, had a brief debut last year before being traded to Boston in December. In return, the Yankees acquired an intriguing 21-year-old pitcher, Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz, along with international signing bonus pool funds. Narváez is currently hitting .288 with an .812 OPS, known for his strong defensive skills, and has a realistic chance of making the AL All-Star team as a rookie.
Narváez has been exactly what the Red Sox were hoping for, similar to how Agustín Ramírez has excelled with the Marlins. Despite facing major league pitching, Ramírez has held his own as a rookie, following his status as the top prospect the Yankees traded for Jazz Chisholm Jr.
The branches of the Yankees’ catching tree have spread wide.
