EXPLORERS GRAB FORMER CUBBY
Starting Pitcher Zach Hedges Signs with Explorers
This season will be the seventh season of professional baseball for Zach Hedges and his first with the X’s.
A native of Glendora, CA the right hander was a 26th round draft pick of the Chicago Cubs in the 2014 MLB Draft out of Azusa Pacific University. After a season in which he went 5-4 in 13 games, 12 starts with a 2.74 ERA in 85.1 innings.
In 2016 Hedges broke out in the Cubbies farm system. In 24 starts between High-A and Double-A, he compiled a 2.75 ERA in 144 innings striking out 95 while walking only 27. Pitching the bulk of the season in the High-A, Carolina League, he finished third in both ERA (2.89) and WHIP (1.14) and placed second in BB/9 (1.68).
The following two seasons saw Hedges bounce between Double and Triple-A. In 2017, Hedges was used as a starter making all 26 appearances that way, while fashioning a 4.49 ERA in 146.1 innings to go along with 76 strikeouts.
Fast forward to 2018 however, and the Cubs attempted to turn the 6’4”, 28 year old into a reliever. He made only four starts that season while appearing out of the bullpen an additional 32 times. Holding down a 3.40 ERA, picking up a pair of saves and striking out 58 in 87.1 innings of work as he was constantly bounced between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa.
Hedges in 2019 was transitioning back into being a starter, putting together a 3.18 ERA in Double-A. over four starts before an injury sidelined him. He was released by the Cubs organization in May of 2020.
In six seasons with the Cubbies, Hedges was 35-34 in 128 games and 81 total starts. In 554 innings he had a 3.64 ERA, 348 strikeouts and showcased elite control at the minor league level, walking only 125 batters for a BB/9 of 2.0.