Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50
After transferring from Seminole State (Fla.) JC to Jacksonville, Hays erupted to hit an Atlantic Sun Conference-best 16 home runs as a junior, leading to his selection in the third round of the 2016 Draft. He became the first player from his class to reach the Majors the next year, earning a September promotion straight from Double-A after he'd produced a .329 average with 32 homers and 32 doubles across two levels. In 2018, Hays was limited by a sore shoulder during the spring and then lost nearly two months of the season to a stress fracture in his ankle that ultimately required offseason surgery. The injury bug continued to plague Hays in 2019, as suffered a thumb injury during Spring Training that delayed the start of his season and also missed time with a hamstring strain in June.
Hays showed during his first full season that he has the physical strength, bat speed and barrel control needed to hit for average and power at the highest level. While injuries robbed him of some of that explosiveness in 2018, Hays also deviated from the hit-to-all-fields mentality that had made him successful in the previous year, as he all too often sold out for pull-side power in an attempt to replicate his 2017 results. He generally has an aggressive approach that leads to a lot of contact but nets him few walks, thus underscoring how Hays' on-base skills are linked to his production.
Hays has played all three outfield positions as a pro, but profiles best in right field because he has average speed and range as well as plus arm strength. He will need to hit for average and power to hold down the position in the big leagues, and the Orioles are confident that a fully healthy Hays will be able to get back on track toward reaching his potential in 2019. Statcast - Batting Season Pitches Batted Balls Barrels Barrel % Exit Velocity Launch Angle XBA XSLG WOBA XWOBA XWOBACON Hard Hit % K % BB % 2017 224 45 1 2.2 84.8 8.3 .229 .330 .237 .261 .334 28.9 25.4 3.2 2019 291 55 3 5.5 89.8 11.5 .303 .487 .393 .364 .409 41.8 17.3 9.3 ALL 515 100 4 4.0 87.6 10.1 .268 .414 .322 .317 .375 36.0 21.0 6.5 MLB 40553 6.3 87.5 11.2 .251 .412 .317 .318 .371 34.5 21.7 8.3 Transactions Team Date Transaction 09/07/2019 Baltimore Orioles recalled RF Austin Hays from Norfolk Tides. 07/11/2019 Norfolk Tides activated RF Austin Hays from the 7-day injured list. 07/04/2019 Norfolk Tides sent RF Austin Hays on a rehab assignment to Aberdeen IronBirds. 06/22/2019 Norfolk Tides placed RF Austin Hays on the 7-day injured list retroactive to June 21, 2019. 06/08/2019 RF Austin Hays assigned to Norfolk Tides from Bowie Baysox. 05/23/2019 RF Austin Hays assigned to Bowie Baysox from Frederick Keys. 05/13/2019 RF Austin Hays assigned to Frederick Keys from Norfolk Tides. 04/04/2019 RF Austin Hays assigned to Norfolk Tides from Orioles Extended Spring Training. 03/31/2019 RF Austin Hays assigned to Orioles Extended Spring Training from Norfolk Tides. 03/17/2019 Baltimore Orioles optioned RF Austin Hays to Norfolk Tides. 11/02/2018 Austin Hays roster status changed by Baltimore Orioles. 09/24/2018 Baltimore Orioles recalled RF Austin Hays from Bowie Baysox. 09/24/2018 Baltimore Orioles placed RF Austin Hays on the 60-day disabled list. Right ankle surgery. 08/07/2018 Bowie Baysox activated RF Austin Hays from the 7-day disabled list. 07/28/2018 Bowie Baysox sent RF Austin Hays on a rehab assignment to Aberdeen IronBirds. 06/25/2018 Bowie Baysox placed RF Austin Hays on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to May 26, 2018. 05/26/2018 Bowie Baysox activated RF Austin Hays. 04/02/2018 RF Austin Hays assigned to Bowie Baysox from Norfolk Tides. 03/25/2018 CF Austin Hays assigned to Norfolk Tides from Bowie Baysox. 03/24/2018 Baltimore Orioles optioned CF Austin Hays to Bowie Baysox. 09/05/2017 Baltimore Orioles selected the contract of Austin Hays from Bowie Baysox. 06/22/2017 CF Austin Hays assigned to Bowie Baysox from Frederick Keys. 04/03/2017 RF Austin Hays assigned to Frederick Keys. 03/02/2017 RF Austin Hays assigned to Baltimore Orioles. 06/22/2016 RF Austin Hays assigned to Aberdeen IronBirds. 06/21/2016 Baltimore Orioles signed RF Austin Hays.
