Austin Charles Hedges is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Cleveland Guardians in the United States. In 2015, he made his Major League Baseball debut with the San Diego Padres.
Hedges was born in San Juan Capistrano, California, on August 18, 1992, to Charlie and Pam Hedges.
Hedges spent most of his childhood throwing a lacrosse ball at a wall and catching it with his bare hand as an only kid whose parents worked after he got home from school.
His father coached his Little League Baseball team, the OC Aztecs, which produced six Major League Baseball (MLB) players.
Matt Chapman, Zach Davies, David Fletcher, Joe Musgrove, Michael Lorenzen, and Bryce Harper all played for the Aztecs in addition to Hedges.
Hedges attended JSerra Catholic High School in San Juan Capistrano, California, and was picked by the San Diego Padres in the second round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft.
He had committed to UCLA, but instead signed a $3 million deal with the Padres.
Baseball America listed Hedges as the Padres’ seventh best prospect prior to the 2012 season. Hedges hit .279/.334/.451 with 10 home runs in 96 games for the Midwest League’s Fort Wayne TinCaps.
Hedges was regarded as a standout defender who had impressed scouts with his hitting ability in Class-A.
Where Is Austin Hedges Now?
Austin Hedges is with the Cleveland Guardians.