Height
6'0"
Weight
220 lbs
Age
33
College
N/A
Draft
2011, Rd 2, #82
Experience
11 yrs
Bats/Throws
R/R
Fan Verdict
Grade this player:
Career StatsB
| Year | Team | GP | AVG | HR | RBI | OPS | SB | H |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career |  | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Current Contract
Length
1 year
Total Value
$4.0M
Guaranteed
$2.4M
AAV
$4.0M/yr
Contract Value Index (CVI)
Austin Hedges' one-year, $4M deal with the Guardians earns a C CVI grade — a straightforward market-rate signing that reflects both his defensive reputation and offensive limitations. The veteran catcher brings elite framing skills and game management to a young Cleveland rotation, making him a logical fit for a team prioritizing development over immediate offensive production from the position. At $4M AAV, the Guardians are essentially paying for a solid starter who can handle 100+ games while providing above-average defense, though his career .195/.252/.318 slash line means they're getting minimal offensive contribution from a traditionally weak-hitting position. The short-term nature of the deal gives Cleveland flexibility to evaluate their catching prospects while maintaining stability behind the plate during their competitive window. This represents fair market value for a defense-first catcher in today's MLB landscape — not a bargain, but not an overpay for a player who fills a specific organizational need without blocking long-term development.
Fan & Media Sentiment
Austin Hedges, a catcher for the Guardians, carries mixed public sentiment based on their steady presence. His C+ performance grade positions him as a developing player at the catcher position. While he has yet to earn major individual awards, his contributions to the Guardians keep him in the conversation. On a contract worth $4.0M/year, the modest salary keeps pressure manageable while any breakout would be a bonus. Public perception is lukewarm, with fans hoping for a breakout but tempering expectations based on recent output. At 33, he is in the veteran phase of his career where sustained health and consistency will determine how fans and analysts judge his remaining value.
Recent Games
| Date | OPP | Result | AB | H | R | HR | RBI | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed, 4/8 | vs KC | W 10-2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Tue, 4/7 | vs KC | W 2-1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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