Dean Jones Report

Dean’s Dozen: Our Top 12 Orioles prospects for the 2017 season

By Dean Jones

Posted on November 3, 2016

No. 11

Austin Hays, OF

2016 Statistics: .336, 4 HRs, 21 RBIs, 9 2Bs in 38 games (Aberdeen)
MILB.com Player Page

Hays, 21, only played in half of Aberdeen’s 75 games in 2016 because of a wrist injury. But the 2016 third-round selection showed his potential during his limited time in the lineup. Hays’ .336 average would have won the New York-Penn League batting title if he had enough at-bats to qualify. And, even though he missed so much time, Hays still led the IronBirds with four home runs and tied for the most total bases on the team (72). As Baseball America noted in its scouting report, Hays “has a chance to hit for average and power, showing the ability to hit to all fields.” Primarily used in right field in 2016, Baseball America noted that the organization could play him more in center field in 2017. Regardless of where he plays, Hays’ bat will be in the heart of the lineup at one of the club’s full-season affiliates next summer.

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