Lachlan Wells Explained

Lachlan Wells
Team:Philadelphia Phillies
Position:Pitcher
Bats:Left
Throws:Left
Birth Date:27 February 1997
Birth Place:Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia

Lachlan Robert Wells (born 27 February 1997) is an Australian professional baseball pitcher in the Philadelphia Phillies organization.

Career

Minnesota Twins

Wells pitched for the Sydney Blue Sox in the Australian Baseball League from 2013 to 2015. The Minnesota Twins signed Wells to a minor league contract in 2014.[1] [2]

Wells made his professional debut in 2015 with the GCL Twins and spent the whole season there, going 5–2 with a 2.09 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in ten games (nine starts). In 2016, Wells pitched for the Cedar Rapids Kernels,[3] [4] compiling a 6–4 record and 1.77 ERA in 12 starts, and in 2017, he played for the Fort Myers Miracle where he pitched to a 4–10 record and 3.98 ERA in 16 games (14 starts).[5] Wells missed the entire 2018 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.[6]

In 2019, Wells appeared in only 10 games split between the GCL Twins and Fort Myers, accumulating a 2-6 record and 4.22 ERA with 39 strikeouts in 49.0 innings pitched.[7] Wells did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[8] Wells made 3 appearances with the Blue Sox between December 18, 2020 and February 4, 2021 with a 1.08 ERA. Wells also did not appear in a game for the organization in 2021 and was released by the Twins on February 22, 2022.[9]

He took the 2022-23 season off, before signing with the ABL's Adelaide Giants in November. In 9 starts, he went 6-0 with a 0.94 ERA, leading the Giants to the ABL finals against the Perth Heat.[10] For his efforts, Wells won the Helms Award as the league's MVP.[11]

Philadelphia Phillies

On January 7, 2024, Wells signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.[12] Wells will join the Phillies and 11 of his Adelaide teammates for Spring Training in late February.[13] Wells would begin the 2024 season with the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils.

Personal

Wells pitched for the Australian national baseball team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.[14] His twin brother, Alexander Wells, pitched for the Baltimore Orioles.[15] [16]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Lachlan Wells to sign with Major League Baseball team Minnesota Twins. SAM. RIGNEY. 10 August 2014. 14 February 2017. 30 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330080032/http://www.theherald.com.au/story/2477715/lachlan-wells-to-sign-with-major-league-baseball-team-minnesota-twins/. live.
  2. Web site: Lachlan Wells signs with Minnesota Twins: video. SAM. RIGNEY. 11 August 2014. 14 February 2017. 30 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330080329/http://www.theherald.com.au/story/2479984/lachlan-wells-signs-with-minnesota-twins-video/. live.
  3. Web site: Twins prospect Lachlan Wells tosses six scoreless innings . MiLB.com. 14 February 2017.
  4. Web site: Unassuming looking teenager Lachlan Wells shines in pitching debut for C.R. Kernels - The Gazette. 14 February 2017.
  5. Web site: Lachlan Wells Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball. MiLB.com. March 29, 2018.
  6. Web site: Minor setback, major goals for Wells twins amid unexpected Aussie stay . 21 August 2020 .
  7. Web site: Lachlan Wells Minor Leagues Statistics & History .
  8. Web site: 2020 Minor League Season Canceled. mlbtraderumors.com. 30 June 2020 . en.
  9. Web site: Minor League Transactions: Jan. 28-Feb. 18, 2022 . 21 February 2022 .
  10. Web site: Lachlan Wells . Adelaide Giants Baseball.
  11. Philadelphia Phillies 2024 Media Guide
  12. News: Callinan . Josh . Second pitch for Lachlan Wells following deal with Philadelphia Phillies . January 12, 2024 . Newcastle Herald . Australian Community Media . January 8, 2024.
  13. Web site: In love with baseball again, Australia's Lachlan Wells signs with Philadelphia Phillies.
  14. Web site: Eleven Minnesota Twins on World Baseball Classic rosters. Star Tribune. 14 February 2017.
  15. Web site: Australian Wells twin are both in pro baseball. MLB.com. 14 February 2017.
  16. Web site: Alexander Wells Rewards Orioles' Patience . July 2021 .