An Austin Hedges Thought

In a lengthy column about a bunch of crap mostly related to the Boston Red Sox a statistical gem unearthed itself.


From Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe:

From the Bill Chuck files: “Over the last four seasons, there have been four players with at least 1,000 at-bats who have cumulatively hit .220 or lower: Jeff Mathis (.193), Andruw Jones (.213), Jason Varitek (.218), and Kelly Shoppach (.220).’’ 

 Since three of those guys are catchers I immediately thought of 2011 2nd round draft pick Austin Hedges -- the belief in his "once in a generation" defense but the questions about his bat.

Jeff Mathis, Jason Varitek, and Kelly Shoppach were also taken in either the 1st or 2nd rounds of the draft and made it to the Majors. None of them can hit. At all. 

Jason Varitek deserves a pass because he's ancient whereas Mathis and Shoppach are relatively young. Kelly Shoppach is 31 but hasn't hit in three years. This is in starch contrast to Mathis -- who has never hit.

I prefer Hedges becoming Varitek. Maybe the captain of a World Series winner? In any case, I think we'll see Austin Hedges in San Diego if his glove is as advertised, for no other reason than Jeff Mathis' employment.


Happy thoughts for a Monday.