Austin Hedges (C, SDP) - Week 22 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 29% of leagues

ANALYSIS: San Diego Padres catcher Austin Hedges hit a home run on Saturday night, potentially showing that he can return to form as an option for power and speed. Hedges was 2-for-5 on Saturday, matching his hit total for the previous nine games, and registered his first multi-hit game since August 10. Despite his struggles, he has hit .245 with seven home runs, three stolen bases, and 24 R+BI since the All-Star break.

Hedges showed a good amount of power last season as a rookie (18 home runs), so the power should not be a shock this season. The speed should not be shocking either (he is 3-for-3 on steals), as Hedges did steal double-digit bases in the lower minors as well. A boost in batting average from .214 to .238 YoY is sizeable as well, allowing Hedges to be less of a liability in terms of average.

The Padres will run out Hedges at catcher on a nightly basis and it is rare to find a catcher with 20 home run/10 stolen base potential. As long as you have players to neutralize his poor batting average, Hedges can be added in deeper leagues.