How Padres' Hedges Learned to Hit

San Diego's catching prospect is not just a great glove anymore

In 2011 Austin Hedges was the best defensive high school catcher available in the MLB Draft.

In 2015 Austin Hedges was the best defensive catching prospect in professional baseball.

In 2017 Austin Hedges is the starting catcher for the San Diego Padres because he’s the best defensive catcher in the National League West. But for the first time this year Hedges is not just being touted as a defensive wizard.

“He’s got some great hands and he’s got some power in there so we kind of unlocked that a little bit,” said Padres Hitting Coach Alan Zinter, who offered the key to the lock. “He totally revamped his fundamental approach to hitting and changed his mechanics.”

Zinter suggested Hedges add a bigger, earlier leg kick in order to get his body in motion towards the baseball more effectively. Hedges applied it and last year at Triple-A El Paso had the best offensive season of his life with 22 home runs and a .326 batting average.

“I think it just puts me in a stronger position once I land,” said Hedges, who opened Cactus League play with hits in his first four at-bats (two singles, two doubles, all hit hard). “What worked for me last year was being on time. I got my leg up on time, it allowed me to see the baseball and ultimately hit the ball harder. I think this year the only adjustment is to be a little quieter with it without falling forward and staying behind the baseball and be a little more disciplined.”

With any extra movement comes the potential for a brand new pitfall. A different leg kick can lead to over-striding and defeating the whole purpose of staying on time.

“That’s exactly what I’m working on right now,” said Hedges. “That’s just staying on your back leg a little bit more. Once that back leg gets weak it kind of creeps forward. That’s where you over-stride and start falling forward and not really seeing the ball as well.”

Hedges has a ridiculously high baseball IQ. It’s one of the things that helps him behind the plate so much. His ability to understand concepts and apply them effectively could elevate him from great defensive catcher to perennial All-Star catcher.

“I think he can be an offensive threat,” said Zinter. “I think he can be one of the better offensive catchers in the league for many years to come. With what he brings to the table and his mindset, the way he goes about his business … I’ve seen in happen before so I’m pulling for him.”

Hedges says his catching idol is Yadier Molina, who is the consensus BEST defensive catcher in the game. In his first three seasons Yadi hit .238. Then in 2007 something clicked and since then he’s hit .294. It is a monster jump but if Hedges has had even a similar kind of offensive “AH-HA!!” moment he’ll be on the short list of the best all-around catchers in Major League Baseball.

In 2011 Austin Hedges was the best defensive high school catcher available in the MLB Draft.

 

In 2015 Austin Hedges was the best defensive catching prospect in professional baseball.

 

In 2017 Austin Hedges is the starting catcher for the San Diego Padres because he’s the best defensive catcher in the National League West. But for the first time this year Hedges is not just being touted as a defensive wizard.

 

“He’s got some great hands and he’s got some power in there so we kind of unlocked that a little bit,” said Padres Hitting Coach Alan Zinter, who offered the key to the lock. “He totally revamped his fundamental approach to hitting and changed his mechanics.”

 

Zinter suggested Hedges add a bigger, earlier leg kick in order to get his body in motion towards the baseball more effectively. Hedges applied it and last year at Triple-A El Paso had the best offensive season of his life with 22 home runs and a .326 batting average.

 

“I think it just puts me in a stronger position once I land,” said Hedges, who opened Cactus League play with hits in his first four at-bats (two singles, two doubles, all hit hard). “What worked for me last year was being on time. I got my leg up on time, it allowed me to see the baseball and ultimately hit the ball harder. I think this year the only adjustment is to be a little quieter with it without falling forward and staying behind the baseball and be a little more disciplined.”

 

With any extra movement comes the potential for a brand new pitfall. A different leg kick can lead to over-striding and defeating the whole purpose of staying on time.

 

“That’s exactly what I’m working on right now,” said Hedges. “That’s just staying on your back leg a little bit more. Once that back leg gets weak it kind of creeps forward. That’s where you over-stride and start falling forward and not really seeing the ball as well.”

 

Hedges has a ridiculously high baseball IQ. It’s one of the things that helps him behind the plate so much. His ability to understand concepts and apply them effectively could elevate him from great defensive catcher to perennial All-Star catcher.

 

“I think he can be an offensive threat,” said Zinter. “I think he can be one of the better offensive catchers in the league for many years to come. With what he brings to the table and his mindset, the way he goes about his business … I’ve seen in happen before so I’m pulling for him.”

 

Hedges says his catching idol is Yadier Molina, who is the consensus BEST defensive catcher in the game. In his first three seasons Yadi hit .238. Then in 2007 something clicked and since then he’s hit .294. It is a monster jump but if Hedges has had even a similar kind of offensive “AH-HA!!” moment he’ll be on the short list of the best all-around catchers in Major League Baseball.

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