It’s been a fun season if you’re an Orioles fan. From racing out as one of the top teams in the majors to watching Adley Rutschman solidify himself as one of the faces of baseball going forward, you’ve seen the rise of Baltimore baseball.
But going back a few years, outfielder Austin Hays has always had the talent to be a great outfielder and offensive force. He can hit you 15-20 home runs a year, drive in 70+ runs and has one of the stronger outfield arms.
The knock on Hays, his first few years in the league, was his health. Between various injuries, his ability was hindered, as well as his development at the big league level. Due to his raw talent and the potential he possessed, something had to give.
In stepped manager Brandon Hyde, who, with the help of the Orioles medical staff, devised a plan that would help keep Hays in the field longer and limit those nagging injuries and fatigue. What followed was 131 games in 2021 and 145 games in 2022.
Hays also displayed his power potential and the ability to drive the ball, but there was potential for better. In 2022, Hays hit .270 prior to the All-Star break, even collecting a cycle in June. It looked like Hays was becoming a streaky hitter.
Unfortunately, a wrist injury changed everything. Due to resting it more before games, Hays stopped the extra batting sessions and batting cage time before games. The missed practice showed, as Hays hit .220 after the break as the injury nagged on the rest of the season.
Healthy and back into his routine, Hays has come out of the gate strong. As of this writing, Hays ranks first in quite a few categories for the Orioles.
- OPS: .882
- AVG: .323
- Runs: 40
- Hits: 80
- Doubles: 21
- SLG %: .520
Hays currently leads the American League in batting average while ranking fourth overall in the majors. His hard hit rate is up 7.5% over last season, and his barrel percentage is up 8.1% as well. Helping boost his production, his chase rate stands at a career best 29.4%
“We talk a lot about ‘trust the process,” Hays said. “For me, it’s controlling the zone and swinging at pitches with the correct mechanics. If I’m doing those two things, I should be hitting the ball hard. And, when I hit it hard, I should be hitting it on the line. That should lead to consistent success throughout the course of the season, and that’s where my mind is every day.”
– Austin Hays on his process
Defensively, Hays ranks fourth in assists, second in put outs and has a 1.000% fielding percentage. Despite what defensive metrics show, Hays ranks third in range factor, showing his defense is a lot stronger than what the stats show.
The travesty here is that despite his 2.1 WAR, he’s being overlooked. Players like Rutschman and Henderson are garnering the most excitement, and most would say it’s rightfully so. Relievers Yennier Canó and Félix Bautista carry nicknames that everyone knows. Hays is even overlooked in the O’s outfield because of center field star Cedric Mullins.
Reflected on the 2023 MLB All-Star voting, Hays ranked 14th this season, as the first round of voting came to a close. The travesty is that Hays is having a clear and irrefutable All-Star season and most likely will miss the cut. The national spotlight is more than deserving for him this season, and any baseball fan would appreciate what he is doing.
“I’m on the bandwagon of him trying to make the All-Star team,” said Orioles manager Brandon Hyde. “There are a few guys. (Austin) Hays. I said that the other day, nobody’s talking about Hays.”
– Brandon Hyde on Austin Hays possibly making the AL All-Star team
It’s fair to say that Hays is more concerned with winning than individual honors. He has been through a complete rebuild and is now enjoying the fruits of his growth with the team. As with any player, winning will always trump individual glory.
For Hays, he will keep doing what he’s doing, and hopefully, that will bring more than an All-Star nod. After all, it’s a special year in Birdland, and Hays is providing the pace.
What do you think of Austin Hays’ season thus far? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook, Twitter and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
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