Rank History
| Year | Team | Position | Team Rank | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | BAL | LHP | 23 | 40 |
Grades Update: Dec 2020
| OFP | Role | FB | CB | SL | CH | Cnt/Cmd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 40 | 45 | 50 | 40 | 55 | 60/60 |
Dec 2020 Report
Evaluator: Eric Garfield
Age: 24 yr
Height: 6-1
Weight: 190 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/L
Acquired: 2015 UDFA
RuleV: Eligible
Physical Description: Average height with significant lower body strength. Thick middle with wide hips, round thighs. Upper body not as strong as lower. Strong, sturdy core. Bloodlines include twin brother Lachland (LHP-MIN) who profiles similarly. His most effective body part while on the mound is between his ears; cool calm and even keeled composure.
Delivery & Mechanics: Utilitarian, plate facing with purpose. The windup is short yet far from smooth. Strides are small, leg kicks high. Face stays locked on to catcher consistently. Head movement minimal. Rhythm, timing control are huge parts of his repertoire. Works uptempo. Stays in posture to receive ball from catcher and begin windup immediately. Initiates motion with hands middle of chest. Little deception. Finishes one-legged yet momentum influences a balanced fielding posture.
Fastball: A pitch that gets slightly more rise than run. Can maintain high 80's velocity consistently; will scrape as high as 92. Influenced more by lower body setup than arm and shoulder. Lives on the black of the plate; will not be placed in or particularly near center of hitting zone. If used as a strikeout offering it'll be placed low to establish advantage in-count; placed higher to end a count. Spots it accurately all around the zone. Impressive command pads the offering's future value. Grade: 45
Curveball: Shows a large 12-to-6 spike curve and a tighter, slurvy offering that doesn't break planes. Cerebral approach makes breaking ball his best pitch. Uses it in any count and to effectively influence poor-timed contact. Some skill in deception here could ascend profile. Grade: 50
Slider: Newer offering. Not experimental but utilized least often. Moderately effective to both RHB and LHB. Needs more consistency and control to line up with rest of pitches. Can show significant spin and distance, breaking horizontally. Grade: 40
Changeup: Sits 80-84; plays 8-10mph off the FB. A refined and controlled offering. Well developed. Maintains arm speed; throws with conviction. Arm action reduces both velocity and height frustrating hitters. If ever moved to relief could excel utilizing this as his put-away pitch. Grade: 55
Control and Command: Crafty pitchabilty southpaw. Pitches hit his spots with regularity, control emphasized over command. Center cut offerings are as rare as any pitcher. Rhythm is a weapon as much as any radar gun reading but Wells is not giving up a cookie regardless of count or situation. Learning from mistakes is a huge part of his game despite not making too many throughout his decorated minor league career. Has just 75 BB in nearing 500 professional innings. Control: 60 | Command: 60
Overall: Term crafty lefty invented for him. Australian who has a twin with the Twins, Wells is as interesting a story as he is a watch. Guile and experience have molded Wells into a very cerebral performer. Won't beat himself. Plays solid defense. Best control in system. Floor and ceiling not too distinctly separated and I see a back end starter who makes hitters wonder what they did wrong three times that day. Not a rebuild darling like others on this list but ignoring a multi-pitch lefty who is aggressively trying to outwit his opponents would be a mistake. If the slider gets better, he gains potential. If not, he lives with his craftiness, advanced pitchabilty and command as a long reliever or big league spot starter.
OFP: 40
Role: 40 - Spot Starter or Long Reliever
Risk: Moderate
