Austin Hedges: A Catcher’s Journey from Defense to Offense

Austin Hedges has long been recognized for his defensive prowess behind the plate, but as he embarks on his tenth season in Major League Baseball, he’s igniting conversations about his value beyond just skillful catching. For some, his true worth lies in his ability to foster a positive atmosphere in the dugout, keeping teammates motivated and ready to perform. For others, it’s his remarkable game-calling and defensive skills that stand out. Yet, there’s an undeniable consensus that Hedges’ offensive contributions have historically fallen short.

Since making his MLB debut in 2015, Hedges has struggled at the plate, ranking last among 246 players with over 2,500 plate appearances in wRC+ with a dismal mark of 51. His xwOBA of .246 and xBA of .191 also place him at the bottom of the league, while his xSLG of .307 is among the worst. Despite these offensive shortcomings, his defensive abilities and leadership qualities have made him a valuable asset to his teams.

In the 2025 season, amidst a challenging offensive stretch for his team, Hedges decided to take on the challenge of improving his batting. Since September 1, 2025, he has posted a wRC+ of 135, paired with an xwOBA of .331, an xBA of .281, and an xSLG of .402. This raises the question: has Hedges truly turned a corner in his hitting, or is this a fleeting moment of success?

To understand this shift, it’s essential to analyze the adjustments Hedges made to his batting stance. Meg, a dedicated Hedges fan and the creator of the podcast “Caught Lookin’,” noted that he spent significant time in Cleveland during the offseason, working closely with hitting coaches like Grant Fink. Visual comparisons of Hedges’ stance reveal significant changes; his hands now sit lower, and his bat rests more parallel to the ground compared to his previous upward barrel position. Additionally, he stands farther back in the batter’s box, which enhances his ability to track pitches and make solid contact.

These adjustments have already yielded promising results. Hedges’ strikeout rate, which has hovered around 27.2% for his career, has drastically dropped to 13.8% since his adjustments. His chase rate has also improved, decreasing from 32.3% to 28.1%. Such metrics are critical indicators of a hitter’s improvement, as they reflect better decision-making at the plate and a more patient approach.

But the changes don’t stop there. Hedges’ quality of contact has also improved, as evidenced by his exit velocity, which has increased from 86.6 mph to 88.5 mph since the adjustments. His batted ball distribution has seen a notable shift towards more line drives, with his line drive rate climbing from 18.8% to 25.6%. This uptick in line drives, coupled with an increase in his launch angle sweet spot percentage, suggests he’s making more solid contact at optimal angles.

As exciting as these developments are, the question remains: is this performance sustainable? While the data from the past few months is promising, it is still a small sample size compared to nearly a decade of underwhelming offensive output. Hedges’ career xwOBA of .246 casts a long shadow over recent gains, yet there’s a glimmer of hope that he could settle into a more respectable hitting range. If he can sustain even a .280 xwOBA, it could transform him into a valuable player, potentially adding 3-4 wins as a full-time catcher.

As the season progresses, the baseball world will be watching closely to see if Hedges can maintain this newfound offensive productivity while continuing to excel defensively. His journey from a defensive stalwart to a potential two-way contributor is a story worth following.

(Editor’s note: please welcome Jakhob as our newest staff writer. He replaces Tommy Pecoraro, who had to step down due to other commitments.)

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.