The Cincinnati Reds made a notable move this offseason by signing outfielder Austin Hays to a one-year, $5 million contract, effectively disregarding his disappointing 2024 season. Hays struggled with a kidney infection and a mid-season trade, leading to a subpar year with just a 101 OPS+ and his fewest games played since the COVID-shortened 2020 season.
He hit only five home runs after totaling 54 in the previous three seasons, and his .396 slugging percentage was well below his career mark of .437.
However, the Reds seem willing to overlook his struggles, attributing them to injuries. Hays had strong splits against left-handed pitchers in 2024, with a .941 OPS, but struggled against right-handed pitchers, posting just a .569 OPS.
With his issues largely attributed to injuries and extreme BABIP splits (.491 against LHP vs. .233 against RHP), there’s potential for Hays to be more than just a platoon player and possibly an everyday option in a corner outfield spot.
In 2022, he posted a better OPS against righties (.725) than lefties (.703), and in 2023, his OPS numbers were nearly identical (.763 vs. RHP, .786 vs. LHP). While these aren’t standout numbers, they’re solid enough for a starting spot on the Reds’ current roster, where an OPS like that could earn him regular playing time.
Hays showed flashes of his potential during Cactus League play, homering off both right-handed and left-handed pitchers and driving in six runs in a game. In an interview with MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon, Hays expressed his desire to prove he can return to form.
If Hays proves capable of starting against both righties and lefties in left field, the outfield mix would likely include him alongside TJ Friedl and Jake Fraley. This would push Gavin Lux and Spencer Steer into a crowded 1B/3B/DH rotation with Jeimer Candelario and Christian Encarnacion-Strand.
This could create a bit of a logjam, requiring manager Terry Francona to manage a more intricate rotation.
However, that assumes everyone stays healthy, something that was a struggle last year. If Hays can consistently hit right-handed pitchers, it could mean Will Benson would be pushed off the roster and back to AAA, with the bench comprising Stuart Fairchild, Santiago Espinal, and backup catcher Jose Trevino.
While this is a “good problem” for the Reds, the early signs of Hays bouncing back from his tough 2024 season are encouraging and add an exciting layer to the team’s roster depth.
Be the first to comment