Perrotto: Batting Average of .143 Does Not Deter Pirates (+)
PITTSBURGH – Austin Hedges had just gotten a rare extra-base hit – heck, a rare hit of any kind – when a fan at PNC Park let him have it after the Pittsburgh Pirates catcher barely touched second base.
“Hedges, you’re still hitting .140,” the fan yelled.
The insult was audible to all Monday night as attendance was just 9,596 for Mitch Keller’s four-hit shutout against the Colorado Rockies.
The Pirates made it clear when they signed Hedges to a one-year, $5-million contract as a free agent that the move was made to bolster their defense and help the pitching staff. It was public knowledge that Hedges had hit .169/.228/.274 over three seasons and 199 games with the Cleveland Guardians from 2020-22.
Hedges’ offense has been worse through his first 21 games with the Pirates. His slash line is .143/.226/.179 with two doubles and no home runs in 65 plate appearances.
Just three major-league players with at least 65 PA have a worse batting average – the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Trayce Thompson (.130), the Chicago White Sox’s Lenyn Sosa (.132) and the Seattle Mariners’ AJ Pollock (.138).
That has led some fans to call for backup Jason Delay to get more playing time behind the plate in Hedges’ stead. Delay is hitting .360/.411/.540 with one home run in 18 games.
Pirates general manager Ben Cherington understands the clamor for Delay. However, Hedges remains the Pirates’ primary option at catcher.
“They both bring so much to the table at that position,” Cherington said. “Obviously, Hedges has been one of the premier defenders in the game at that position for a long time. We signed him knowing that, knowing what the whole package was and believing he could come in and help our team. We think he has, in some ways that you can see and some ways that are harder to see, off the field. Austin’s a huge part of the team, and we expect that to continue.”
So far, Hedges hasn’t lived up to his defensive reputation, though it should be noted that the 2023 season still represents a relatively small sample size with the Pirates having played 38 games. Hedges has only one defensive run saved and has thrown out just two of 21 runners attempting to steal bases – a measly 9.5%.
Delay’s defensive metrics are basically even with those of Hedges. Delay also has one DRS saved and thrown out just three of 18 (16.7%) would-be base stealers.
There is a disparity in salaries, though. Hedges is making $5 million this season and Delay’s salary is $720,000, the major-league minimum.
However, money is not dictating catcher usage.
“It’s up to (manager Derek Shelton) how he picks the matchups of when to use both guys, but it’s been great that JD has stepped up and has been such a contributor offensively,” Cherington said. “And, of course, we trust him defensively, as well. So, it’s been a good combination for us, I think. We feel really good no matter who’s in the lineup.”
The Pirates have two of the top catching prospects in the game with Triple-A Indianapolis’ Endy Rodriguez and Double-A Altoona’s Henry Davis. The organization’s hope is that neither player ever gets berated by a fan for hitting .140.
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