Austin Hedges' first home run of '24 allows the Guardians dugout to have some fun with him

CLEVELAND — Sometimes you just need to see one go through the hoop, as they say. Or in Austin Hedges' case, it's the feeling of barreling up a pitch again.

It hadn't happened in a while. And it led to a smile before he was even out of the batter's box.

Hedges has perhaps been the Guardians' secret weapon as they jumped out to hot start as arguably baseball's biggest surprise team so far this season. As one of the lone veterans on a youthful roster, Hedges has embraced that role and played a key part in lifting up a clubhouse needing some mentorship. And he provides the Guardians with a superb defensive option at catcher.

But offensively? Well, Hedges likely won't be helping too much in that department on most days. But he came through in Saturday's 7-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels, hitting a go-ahead two-run home run to left field that ended up being the game winner.

It was his first "barrel" of the season. And Hedges was already smiling before he even dropped the bat.

To be barreled, a ball has to be hit with an exit velocity of at least 98 mph and a certain launch angle. The more above 98 mph the ball his hit, the wider the range of launch angles will qualify as a barreled ball.

In simpler, less mathematical terms: A barreled ball is a very well struck ball.

Hedges hadn't had a single one in 2024 yet, and he had only one in 2023. So when he connected for his home run Saturday night, it was more than a little relief. For comparison, Jose Ramirez already has eight barrels this season, and he hasn't even quite started to heat up yet.

"God, barrels feel so good," Hedges said after the game. "Bo [Naylor] said there's nothing like a homer. Sometimes, there ain't nothing like a barrel."

Guardians dugout gives Austin Hedges the silent treatment after his go-ahead home run

Hedges has added some real value in how he's helped to guide a young Guardians clubhouse into one of the game's most surprising teams. He recently talked candidly about looking at his career arc and how he can best help teams win games, and realizing it was with his mentorship and his defense.

His offense, though? Well, it was just a relief for him that he was also able to contribute to Saturday's win with his bat. And the Guardians dugout decided to have some fun with him for it.

As Hedges got back to the dugout, the normal round of high fives weren't anywhere to be found, as his teammates played a prank on him in the form of the silent treatment. Finally, they all erupted, once the facade was lifted.

"They have their fun, but it was beautiful for him to get received silently like that," said manager Stephen Vogt, the other reason the Guardians have noted such a positive atmosphere in the clubhouse this season. "That tells you everything you need to know about how they view Hedgie. They love him."

Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis1@gannett.com. Read more about the Guardians at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/cleveland-guardians. Follow him on Threads at @ByRyanLewis.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Guardians dugout has fun with Austin Hedges after homer