Austin Hays will see more playing time
Despite being a productive hitter for the Baltimore Orioles in the past three seasons prior to 2024, Austin Hays was relegated to a lesser role this year due to the rise of rookie Colton Cowser. As a result, Hays became an expendable piece for the Orioles at the trade deadline, and the Phillies quickly jumped on the opportunity to boost their outfield.
For those wondering what Hays’ track record looked like, he was a recent All-Star just last season and has the ability to average a productive 20+ home runs and 70+ RBI per season. On top of that, he has quietly become a solid defender, holding a lifetime .994 fielding percentage as an outfielder along with 20 DRS. Both Thomson and president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski believe that Hays can be a solid contributor if given the time to play every day.
"But we think can hit left-handed and right-handed pitching. ... We don’t think he’s just in a position where he has to be platooned by any means," Dombrowski said of Hays, per MLB.com's Todd Zolecki.
So far, the Phillies have done exactly that and have reaped the benefits. Hays has already scored three runs, hit his first home run, driven in four runs and picked up two stolen bases in his first five games with the team. With the Phillies looking to maximize the potential of their deadline acquisition, look for Hays to continue receiving the vast majority of the starts in left field going forward.