Austin Hedges
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10 maggio 2026
Will remain backup
Hedges went 0-for-2 with a walk in Saturday's 2-1 extra-innings win over the Twins.
Analisi
Hedges started for the third time in the last four games, but he is expected to shift back to being the top backup after the Guardians acquired Patrick Bailey from the Giants on Saturday. Bo Naylor, who had been the primary catcher, was optioned to Triple-A Columbus in conjunction with the trade. Hedges, who had out-hit Naylor to start the season, will not be given the opportunity to stay atop the depth chart, although he may continue to be the personal catcher for Parker Messick.
9 maggio 2026
Playing time surging
Hedges went 1-for-4 with an RBI in Friday's 6-4 win over Minnesota.
Analisi
Hedges was in the starting lineup as usual for starter Parker Messick, but the backup catcher has caught four of Cleveland's last seven games, going 5-for-14 with three extra-base hits, two RBI and four runs scored over that stretch. In addition to his role as the personal catcher for Messick, the right-handed-hitting Hedges appears to have become the choice whenever the Guardians face a lefty starter, per Zack Meisel of The Athletic. Hedges' production (123 wRC+, .801 OPS) dwarfs that of Bo Naylor (22, .438).
7 maggio 2026
Sparks win
Hedges went 1-for-3 with a stolen base and a run scored in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Royals. He was also caught stealing.
Analisi
Hedges, a backup catcher, was an unlikely spark in the Guardians' win that snapped a three-game skid. At second base and down 1-0 in the top of the fifth inning, Hedges took off for third base and narrowly beat the throw for his first successful swipe of the season and 17th of his 12-year MLB career. On the play, Petey Halpin moved from first to second base, setting up a situation where Chase DeLauter's single delivered both runners. Hedges was later cut down trying to steal in the ninth. It was the second time in three starts that Hedges made an impact in a Cleveland win. There are no immediate plans to change the catching depth chart, but Hedges has .311/.360/.467 slash line over 16 games, which compares very favorably to starter Bo Naylor's .127/.188/.190 line through 27 contests.