CLEVELAND, Ohio — The locker that sits closest to the showers in the Guardians clubhouse is generally reserved for veteran players. Guys who lead by their example on the field and contribute to the team in ways beyond what shows up in a box score.
When Austin Hedges signed a one-year deal that meant he would return to the Guardians after a season away, there was little doubt who would occupy that veteran spot in 2024.
Hedges, who many believe was a “missing ingredient” for a young Guardians club that struggled last year, has earned praise from coaches and teammates alike for his steadfast leadership, tireless preparation, unbending work ethic and electric personality. He is one of the big reasons Cleveland is off to its best start since 1999, despite not putting up the kind of numbers that would make one think is the case.
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During an April 9 loss to the White Sox that saw Cleveland fall behind early by five runs, it was Hedges’ voice in the Guardians dugout that kept urging his teammates along. The team rallied, and though they eventually lost the game, the “never quit” approach and confidence Hedges championed that night has carried the club to 8 wins in their next 11 games, and the most wins in baseball through 22 contests.
“It’s huge to have him back,” said starting pitcher Triston McKenzie said. “What he brought to the team before, not only in his pitch calling ability and what he does behind the plate, but just the energy that he brings in the clubhouse every day, the energy he brings out to the field. It’s nice to have him back and just know that he had success somewhere else, and he’s bringing that success to us.”
Now a 31-year-old veteran with a World Series ring he won with the Rangers last year, Hedges first joined Cleveland as part of a blockbuster six-player trade with San Diego along with Josh Naylor and others in exchange for pitcher Mike Clevinger and outfielder Greg Allen in the COVID-shortened 2020 season. Over the next two and a half years, Hedges endeared himself to the franchise. Despite struggling to hit over .160 in 199 games during that first tour, he was a vital component in the team’s division championship run in 2022 and a vocal leader throughout his tenure in the clubhouse.
“The energy has always been phenomenal,” McKenzie said. “Whether we’re down or we’re up, he’s always made sure everybody is locked in.”
A defensive specialist with a particular knack for navigating young pitchers through tough innings, Hedges was credited with 11 defensive runs saved by FanGraphs in 2023, and has 88 for his career, which ranks fifth all-time behind Jeff Mathis, Buster Posey, Russell Martin and Yadier Molina.
When Hedges got the call this offseason from manager Stephen Vogt and president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti who presented him with an opportunity to return to Cleveland, it was an easy choice. Because, he said, the Guardians “feel like home.”
“To feel like you’re valued for some things that don’t necessarily have a stat to it, it means the world to me,” Hedges said. “I take a lot of pride in that, and I’d do anything for these guys in this room.”
Vogt called Hedges the guy in the clubhouse that keeps everybody loose and motivated. But he also plays an important role in mentoring young catchers Bo Naylor and David Fry. And nobody on the roster is better at helping get a pitcher through outings.
“Not only is he the culture guy, but he’s a pretty darn good player as well,” Vogt said. “He adds so much to our team that doesn’t get seen or noticed with our scouting reports, our pitch calling, helping Bo and David really come along as catchers as well.”
Naylor said the opportunity to have Hedges’ voice in his ear during scouting meetings and on-field drills has helped in a variety of ways.
“Just to kind of pick his brain on certain things,” Naylor said. “He’s an incredible leader for this team. He really fires up the guys in any situation. This team really leans on him and looks in for guidance and he hasn’t failed to be there for us.”
For pitchers like McKenzie, Hedges’ presence is reassuring both behind the plate and in day-to-day activities.
“It definitely eases my mind, especially knowing that not only is he doing that stuff for us, but he’s having those conversations with Bo, with David, so we’re getting it from all angles,” McKenzie said. “It helps us stay locked in from pitch one to however many pitches in the game.”
Bo Naylor called Hedges’ energy “contagious” and its effects obvious.
“When you have that around you, only good things can happen,” Naylor said. “Only positive attitudes, good vibes can come from it, and I think that’s one of the things that has really been helping this ballclub have some success.”
For his part, Hedges recognizes the responsibility and weight of his seat in Cleveland’s clubhouse. He is willing to take on the burden of speaking for his teammates on days when nobody wants to talk, and holding everybody in the room accountable when things are not going their way. He knows what that spot represents.
“It means the world to me, it really does,” Hedges said. “When I come in, put my stuff in this locker, it’s like I’ve got to be that guy today. There’s no taking days off. These guys are leaning on me to be that guy for them, and I love it, so I’m very honored.”
Hedges said there are a lot of similarities between this year’s club and the 2022 version of the Guardians that won the American League Central Division and took the Yankees to five games in the Division series.
“The only difference is we’re not building something anymore, it’s built,” Hedges said. “The foundation was laid in ‘22. A lot of the young guys in year two or year three had a lot of adjustments to make. Now, I feel like the boys came in this year confident in who they are and that they belong and that they know what worked well in ‘22 and it’s just about doing it every single day.”
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