If you have seen Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges play, or bat, to be more specific, you know he isn’t much of a hitter.
He is an extremely valuable glue guy for the clubhouse, a fun-loving person, and a terrific defensive catcher who knows the intricacies of his position like few others.
Hitting? Well, his career 51 wRC+ speaks for itself.
This year, however, he has been contributing some thump to the Guardians whenever he is in the lineup.
In fact, in just a month and a week of the 2025 campaign, he has done something remarkable if we compare it to his recent career numbers.
“Austin Hedges has as many home runs in 2025 as he had in the previous two seasons combined. 2025 – 3 HR / 34 AB. 2023/24 – 3 HR / 317 AB. Hedges’ career-high in a season was 18 back in 2017 with the Padres,” Guardians Prospective posted on X.
Austin Hedges has as many home runs in 2025 that he had in the previous two seasons combined.
2025 – 3 HR / 34 AB
2023/24 – 3 HR / 317 AB
Hedges career high in a season was 18 back in 2017 with the Padres.
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) May 7, 2025
Three home runs are not a lot, you might think, but for a backup catcher who rarely plays, it’s a remarkable total.
The power outburst so far in the early stages of 2025 means he has been, so far and in an extremely limited sample, an above-average hitter with a 104 wRC+.
That, for a reserve catcher, is excellent.
Maybe Hedges will have a chance to tie or surpass that career-high in homers, but it seems unlikely given his backup role and the fact that Bo Naylor’s play is improving.
If something were to happen to Naylor, the Guardians know Hedges will at least hit a few home runs here and there.
At this stage, he is completely selling out for power, considering his .147 batting average and his much higher .412 slugging percentage.
It’s not a bad strategy considering his contact limitations.
NEXT: Guardians Star Reliever Collapses And Costs The Team A Win
