There was no one in the Orioles organization who had a more meteoric rise than outfielder Austin Hays in 2017.
The 2016 third-round pick out of Jacksonville University started last year in High-A Frederick and ended it in Baltimore, playing 20 games and hitting .217 for the Orioles.
That campaign pushed him to the top of the Orioles prospect lists, according to most publications. And Hays had an outside chance to make the Orioles’ 25-man roster this spring.
A right shoulder injury cost him some time on the shelf during spring training, however. And, ultimately, he was sent to Double-A Bowie to begin 2018.
He remains one of the brightest lights in the Orioles’ organization and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him back in the majors at some point this year.
For now, though, Hays is in Bowie and so is our Minor League Podcast host Adam Pohl, the voice of the Bowie Baysox.
Pohl sat down with Hays for a few minutes recently to discuss what 2017 was like as well as what Hays learned while in big league spring training camp this February and March.
It’s an interesting look into the Orioles organization through the eyes of a 22-year-old who hopes to one day be patrolling Camden Yards on an everyday basis.
Give it a listen.
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Tough start for Hays at Bowie, the entire OF at Bowie is struggling to get on base. Here's hoping the Czech Catching Machine (CCM) Cervenka is at Norfolk soon!
It may be time to let Caleb Joseph go on to Atlanta to join Nick and Ryan (both with OBP >= 0.400) and bring Susac up! Joseph career OBP is 0.272 and Susac is 0.299, neither can throw runners out very well, but Chance has thrown out 50% so far this year. Let Chance start and Susac back him up!!!
Gosh no. Let Sisco keep doing what he is going. Training wheels are fine for a 23-year-old catcher. So much to learn.
Davis is in need of the services of a sports psychologist!
Is it just by chance that Manny is going to record a career high OBP this season? These players can get on base when they really want to (so they can get that ridiculous new contract) but if you don't make them be responsible and disciplined you get Davis and AJ...
New hitting coach NOW! New hitting philosophy NOW!
I promise you they aren’t trying not to get on base