Zuninos reputation for handling a staff is very strong. Its the defense that's way behind Hedges, a difference that the new rules may magnify.
Over the past three years, Hedges has thrown out 28% of SB attempts to Zuninos 22%.
In 1800 innings, Hedges has allowed 7 PBs. In 1400 innings, Zunino has allowed 17.
Hedges has allowed 50 WPs. Zunino has allowed 70. WPs are charged to the pitcher, but a ball in the dirt that gets past the catcher is almost always ruled a WP, even when the catcher had a chance to block it.
Those are some big differences, not that Zunino is not a good defensive catcher, but he's not in the same league as Hedges. It is a serious downgrade to an important part of the defense.
Obviously, Zunino is on paper a big offensive threat, compared to Hedges...but much of that is based upon his freak season in 2021, when he hit 33 dingers. The four years surrounding his 2021 don't look that much different than Hedges...better, but not enough to offset the defense.
The whole reason for optimism that Zunino is an overall upgrade is based upon two questionable hopes...that he is and stays healthy, and that he approaches his power numbers of 2021.
