New Texas Rangers Catcher Likes Club's 'Desire to Win'
Texas Rangers catcher Austin Hedges was a last-second trade at the deadline, a little insurance in case they lost starter Jonah Heim long-term.
With Heim back, the Rangers appear content to stay with three catchers, including Mitch Garver.
That’s fine by Hedges, who told MLB Network on Monday that his experience with the Rangers has been great from the second he arrived from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
From his perspective, it’s easy to see why the Rangers are leading the American League West. In his ninth year in the Majors, Texas might be the best team he’s played for so far.
“I mean, the second I stepped in the clubhouse, you could just kind of feel it, man,” Hedges said. “There's just a sense of the desire to win. And when a team has that, you go do special stuff. And the second I got here … I mean, I don't think I've been on a better offense in my life. Just watching the guys go bang every single day.
“I mean, we're deep in pitching, we can pick it on defense. It's just a team that that's really together right now and we're having a blast being a part of it. You know, the clubhouse is fun. The plane is a good time. It's just a great fit right now.”
The Rangers acquired Hedges for cash. He’s not much of a threat at the plate. He’s a lifetime .188 hitter and is batting .175 this season. But he carries a reputation as a great defensive catcher and pitch framer.
With Heim back and the Rangers intending to switch off between he and Garver, Hedges would appear to be a late-innings replacement or a spot starter when one clearly needs a full day off.
Hedges has played in three games for the Rangers, with one start against Miami on Aug. 5.
The Rangers (71-48) continue their three-game series with the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday.
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