After suffering from a debilitating core injury that cost him most of the second half of 2024, former Orioles outfielder Austin Hays has a lot to prove coming into spring training this year.
Hays signed on with the Reds in late January, inking a one-year deal worth $5 million that put him in prime position to compete for a job in an interesting outfield in Cincinnati.
Hays’ effort on Monday afternoon against the Dodgers will go a long way towards building some good rapport with his Reds teammates and new manager Terry Francona.
Hays came to the plate against Dodgers’ star Tyler Glasnow in the bottom of the first inning on Monday with men on first and third, and he absolutely roped a ball off the wall in right-center that brought both runners around to score.
Then in the fourth inning, Hays came to the plate and faced off against former teammate and stud reliever Tanner Scott. With a man on first and nobody out, Hays blasted his first homer of the spring well over the left field fence to make it a 4-1 ballgame.
Former Orioles All Star Austin Hays goes bonkers in spring training matchup against Dodgers
Hays came to the plate once more in the bottom of the fifth, again with one on, this time against righty Blake Treinen.
Hays delivered again, smashing a towering drive into right-center for his second home run of the afternoon.
Hays was pulled from the contest the following inning but not before recording a 3-3 line with 2 homers, a double, and 6 RBI. It was a stellar performance for the former All Star, who will hope to be part of the Opening Day lineup for the Reds later next month.
After the game, Hays told reporters “I just want to prove I am myself and back to who I can be on the field, the level of effort I can play with”. After watching him this afternoon, it’s an easy statement to make. He sure looked like that version of himself.
Unfortunately, Hays had a challenging year in 2024.
He was mashing against left handed pitchers in the first half but the Orioles chose to move him to the Phillies at the trade deadline to make room for Colton Cowser in the everyday lineup.
Hays didn’t last long in Philly, as a weird kidney infection cost him most of the second half and sapped basically all of his performance in the interim.
In total, Hays hit a career-worst .255/.303/.396 in 85 games. The power, which looked to be back in full force today, was in question for much of last year.
With any luck, Hays will be able to use this performance as a catalyst to get himself back on track for 2025 and beyond. He was a great player for the Orioles and though he’s no longer in Baltimore, we’d be remiss to not wish him the best in his new home.
