Minor League Podcast: Chatting up Austin Hays

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.