Highly touted catching prospect and 2011 graduate of JSerra High, Austin Hedges seems to be fitting in nicely in his new role as minor league ballplayer.
Hedges once had a commitment to UCLA to play ball for the Bruins, but in the second round of the 2011 MLB draft, the San Diego Padres selected him with the No. 82 overall pick, and he signed.
In 183 at bats with the Fort Wayne Tin Caps, a high A-minor league affiliate of the Padres, Hedges has collected 49 hits (.274 avg.), hit five homeruns and stolen seven bases as of June 20.
While Hedges’ offense seems to be holding steady, it’s his defense that shines for scouts and managers. Hedges was named the best defensive catcher in the Padres farm system for 2012 by Baseball America and the No. 10 overall prospect in the system by MLB.com.
