Around the Empire: Yankees news - 2/21/21

Sports Illustrated | Max Goodman: One of the Yankees’ top prospects is already turning heads just a few days into camp. Austin Wells, last year’s first-round pick, has impressed Aaron Boone with his hitting prowess and his strength. Boone called Wells “as strong as anyone in camp” and “a guy (who) loves hitting.” His position in the field is still to be determined, but Wells’s bat should profile nicely on the Yankees in a few years.

Sports Illustrated | Max Goodman: Jameson Taillon is not only a great pitcher who will fill a void for the Yankees, but he’s a fighter and has an excellent pitcher’s mind. Taillon texted his family a photo of his pinstriped uniform before putting them on the first time, and said the trade to the Yankees “lit a new fire” under him. A student of the game and close friend of Gerrit Cole’s, Taillon is ready for his new challenge with the Yankees.

New York Post | Ken Davidoff: The Yankees already have DJ “The Machine” LeMahieu. Now, they have two machines with the addition of Corey “Klubot” Kluber. True to his robotic nature, Kluber really has no opinion on the popular nickname, but is ready to hit the ground running in New York. His pitching coach and manager offered their perspective on Kluber’s personality, as well as how they think the two-time Cy Young Award winner will help the team in 2021.

NJ.com | Randy Miller: After a successful debut with the Yankees last year, Deivi García has a new perspective entering a competitive big league camp. García spoke at length about learning how to better read opposing hitters, what it was like to fulfill his dreams, and what his mindset is entering the 2021 season. García is in a competition with Domingo Germán and Clarke Schmidt for the Yankees’ fifth starter spot, behind Cole, Kluber, Taillon and Jordan Montgomery.