White Sox Free Agent Target: Austin Hedges

With free agency in full swing, we look at potential targets of the White Sox in free agency. They have plenty of needs that will need to be filled at some point this offseason, with one of the biggest being the catcher position. They only have two under contract, that being Korey Lee and Carlos Perez. Neither of them have much major league experience.

If the White Sox are serious about developing their young pitching, which they will have plenty of in 2024, they will need an experienced catcher who knows how to handle a pitching staff. None would be better than a World Series winner, Austin Hedges.

Hedges has bounced around in his career, as most defensive first catchers typically do. In 2023, he played for the Pirates and the World Series-winning Texas Rangers. He would immediately bolster the catching position for the Sox and he would be a good mentor for Korey Lee, who has a good amount of potential. He also would give the Sox top-catching prospect, Edgar Quero more time to develop in the minors.

While Hedges leaves plenty to be desired with the bat, as he slashed .184/.234/.227 in 2023, he has had four different seasons with 10+ home runs, which you cannot complain about from your defense-first catcher. If the Sox sign Hedges, he would likely split time with Lee or Perez and be a defensive replacement late in games. He would be a huge asset for all the young pitchers the Sox have, as he is one of the best defensive catchers in the game.

According to Baseball Savant, they rank Austin Hedges in the 99th percentile in fielding run value. That would rank him among the top, if not the best defensive catcher in the game. This is crucial to a young pitching staff, as a catcher who can call a great game and command the zone is key for pitchers who have not gotten much time in the majors. A few calls that go their way during the game can go a long way.

To break down the 99th percentile fielding grade, they rank him in the 90th percentile of blocks above average, and in the 98th percentile in framing. This would be a huge upgrade for the White Sox behind the plate, as they have not had a strong defensive catcher in a very long time.

He also grades above average in pop time and caught stealing above average. Even average would be a big boost for the Sox, who get run all over by a lot of teams.

For a team that is not going anywhere like the Sox, a strong defensive catcher can really bring along a young staff. The Sox will rely on young pitchers like Nick Nastrini, Jared Shuster, and others in 2023, so having a good catcher is key. Look what James McCann was able to do with Lucas Giolito.

He should be a cheap option for a backup catcher and still allow a young player like Korey Lee to get some reps to prove himself. If the Sox do go this route, don't let the poor offensive stats fool you, it would be a very good signing.