Guardians' Austin Hedges may have unlocked something

Cleveland catcher off to hot start at the plate after previous struggles

Apr. 14, 2026 at 3:35pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist-style painting depicting a baseball catcher in mid-crouch, broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a palette of navy, green, and orange, conveying the dynamic motion and energy of the sport.Hedges' early-season surge at the plate could provide a valuable boost to the Guardians' lineup and catching depth.Cleveland Today

Cleveland Guardians veteran catcher Austin Hedges may have figured out his swing, getting off to a hot start this season with a .841 OPS through six games. Hedges, known more for his defense and clubhouse presence, hasn't had an OPS of .600 or better since 2018, but has already matched his hit total from last June in the first two weeks of the 2026 season.

Why it matters

The Guardians are hoping young catcher Bo Naylor can establish himself as their future at the position, but if Hedges can continue his strong start at the plate, it would provide a boost to the team's lineup and catching depth as they look to contend in the AL Central.

The details

Hedges told reporters last September that he had figured something out with his swing, and he appears to have carried that over into the 2026 season. Through six games, he is 7-for-20 with two doubles, a significant improvement over his slow starts in recent years. Last season, it took Hedges until June to record seven hits.

  • Hedges told reporters he figured something out with his swing last September.
  • Hedges has an .841 OPS through the first six games of the 2026 season.

The players

Austin Hedges

A veteran catcher for the Cleveland Guardians who is known more for his defense and clubhouse presence, but has struggled offensively in recent seasons.

Bo Naylor

The Guardians' young catcher who is considered their future at the position.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Austin Hedges currently has an .841 OPS and a 0.00 ERA, we really got ourselves Shohei Ohtani for $4m”

— Always the Jake

What’s next

The Guardians will be closely monitoring Hedges' performance at the plate to see if this hot start is sustainable or if he will revert to his previous offensive struggles. The team's long-term plans at catcher also hinge on how quickly Bo Naylor can establish himself as a consistent contributor.

The takeaway

Hedges' early-season surge at the plate is an encouraging sign for the Guardians, who have relied on his defense and leadership while hoping he could provide more production offensively. If Hedges can maintain this level of hitting, it would give the team valuable depth and flexibility at the catcher position as they look to contend in the AL Central.