Austin Hays

Austin Charles Bryan Hays Bio

Austin Charles Bryan Hays is an American professional baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent. He made his Major League Baseball debut in 2017 with the Baltimore Orioles and has since played for the Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, and Chicago White Sox. Hays was selected as an All-Star in 2023 after an outstanding first half of the season with the Orioles. Throughout his career, he has established himself as a reliable defensive player and consistent offensive contributor across multiple MLB organizations.

Early Life and Background

Austin Hays was born on July 5, 1995, in Daytona Beach, Florida, to his parents Terrie and Chuck Hays. He grew up in Port Orange, Florida, where he attended Spruce Creek High School. During his high school career, Hays developed into a talented outfielder, particularly showcasing strong arm strength that proved valuable on defensive plays. In 2012, he had a remarkable senior season, batting .402 overall including .426 with runners in scoring position, and drove in 26 runs while leading Spruce Creek to a state championship title.

Following high school, Hays continued his baseball journey at the collegiate level. He initially attended Seminole State College of Florida, playing for the Seminole State Raiders before transferring to Jacksonville University, where he competed for the Jacksonville Dolphins. In the summer of 2015, Hays played collegiate summer baseball with the Hyannis Harbor Hawks of the Cape Cod Baseball League, one of the premier summer leagues for college players, further developing his skills against top competition.

Path to Professional Baseball

Hays entered the 2016 Major League Baseball Draft with an impressive amateur pedigree. His combination of defensive prowess, arm strength, and offensive potential made him an attractive prospect for MLB teams. The Baltimore Orioles selected Hays in the third round of the draft, recognizing his ability to contribute at the professional level. He signed shortly after being drafted and began his professional career with the Aberdeen Ironbirds of the Low-A New York-Penn League.

In his debut professional season, Hays made an immediate impact. Playing 38 games with Aberdeen, he batted .336 with four home runs and 21 runs batted in, demonstrating the hitting ability that would define his career. His strong performance earned him a promotion to the Frederick Keys of the High-A Carolina League to start the 2017 season, where he continued to excel before earning another promotion to the Bowie Baysox of the Double-A Eastern League in June 2017.

Austin Hays Career

Baltimore Orioles (2017–2024)

Hays reached the major leagues rapidly following his 2016 draft selection. The Baltimore Orioles promoted him to the majors on September 5, 2017, making him the first player from the 2016 draft class to reach MLB. He made his major league debut on September 7, 2017. Hays recorded his first MLB hit and first MLB home run during a 9–3 loss against the New York Yankees on September 16, 2017. In 20 games during his rookie season, he batted .217 with a .238 on-base percentage and a .317 slugging percentage in 60 at-bats.

The 2019 season marked a significant milestone in Hays career. The Orioles recalled him from the Triple-A Norfolk Tides on September 7, 2019. In a remarkable game against the Toronto Blue Jays on September 23, 2019, Hays became the first MLB rookie since the RBI became an official statistic in 1920 to record at least five RBIs, a stolen base, and an outfield assist in the same game. During the 2020 season shortened by the pandemic, Hays hit a dramatic two-run inside-the-park home run against the Philadelphia Phillies on August 11, 2020, breaking an 8-8 tie in extra innings to lift the Orioles to a 10-9 victory. For the 2020 season, he slashed .279/.328/.393 with four home runs and nine RBIs, and in 2021, he appeared in 131 games while batting .256 with 22 home runs and 71 RBIs.

The 2022 season featured one of Hays most memorable achievements. On June 22, 2022, he hit for the cycle in a game against the Washington Nationals, completing all four scoring hits in a single game. For his all-around performance and hustle throughout the season, Hays was named the Orioles Heart and Hustle Award winner for 2022. He played 145 games that season, batting .250 with 16 home runs and 60 RBIs. The following year, Hays continued his strong play and was selected to the All-Star Game in 2023 after hitting .314 with nine home runs and 36 RBIs in 78 first-half games. He was named the starting center fielder for the American League All-Star team, replacing Mike Trout who withdrew due to injury. He agreed to a one-year $3.2 million contract with the Orioles in January 2023, avoiding salary arbitration. In 2024, Hays appeared in 63 games for Baltimore, hitting .255 with three home runs and 14 RBIs before being traded.

Philadelphia Phillies (2024)

On July 26, 2024, the Orioles traded Hays to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for Seranthony Dominguez and Cristian Pache. In 22 games with the Phillies, he batted .256 with two home runs, six RBIs, and two stolen bases. However, a kidney infection during his time in Philadelphia limited his ability to contribute fully. Following the season, on November 22, 2024, the Phillies non-tendered Hays, making him a free agent.

Cincinnati Reds (2025)

On January 30, 2025, Hays signed a one-year $5 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds. He became a key contributor for the Reds throughout the 2025 season, appearing in 103 games and batting .266 with a .315 on-base percentage and .453 slugging percentage. He hit 15 home runs, drove in 64 runs, and stole seven bases. The versatility and consistency he provided in the outfield proved valuable for the Reds roster. However, on November 5, 2025, the Reds declined their option on Hays for the 2026 season, making him a free agent once again.

Driving Style and Strengths

Hays has built his professional reputation as a well-rounded outfielder with above-average defensive skills and a strong throwing arm from center field. His offensive game features a line-drive approach with power to all fields, and he has demonstrated the ability to hit for average while also providing pop in the middle of the batting order. His base-running instincts have translated into occasional stolen bases and aggressive plays on the base paths, as evidenced by his rare five-RBI performance combined with a stolen base and outfield assist in his 2019 rookie campaign.

Notable Events and Milestones

Among Hays most notable career achievements is his selection as an MLB All-Star in 2023, where he served as the starting center fielder for the American League. He also hit for the cycle against the Washington Nationals in June 2022, a rare accomplishment that requires a player to record a single, double, triple, and home run in one game. His 2022 season was further distinguished by earning the Orioles Heart and Hustle Award, recognizing his exceptional effort and contributions to the team.

Austin Hays Career Wins

Throughout his MLB career spanning from 2017 through the 2025 season, Austin Hays has established himself as a productive major league outfielder with consistent offensive contributions and strong defensive play. His career statistics through March 31, 2026, include a .261 batting average, 84 home runs, and 315 RBIs across parts of eight major league seasons.

Major League Baseball Highlights

Hays most impactful statistical season came in 2023 when he earned All-Star honors by hitting .314 with nine home runs and 36 RBIs in the first half alone. His 2021 season also stood out as he appeared in 131 games while blasting 22 home runs and driving in 71 runs for the Orioles. In 2025 with the Reds, Hays demonstrated continued offensive productivity by batting .266 with 15 home runs and 64 RBIs in 103 appearances. His career totals of 84 home runs and 315 RBIs reflect his consistent ability to drive in runs at the major league level.

Other Wins and Performances

Prior to reaching the majors, Hays was a state championship winner with Spruce Creek High School in 2012, establishing his winning pedigree early in his baseball career. His rapid ascent through the minor leagues, highlighted by a .329 batting average combined with 32 home runs and 95 RBIs between Frederick and Bowie in 2017, demonstrated the talent that would translate to major league success.

Austin Hays Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

While there is no documented professional racing lineage in Austin Hays family, his athletic background includes support from his parents Terrie and Chuck Hays throughout his development as a baseball player in Florida. His father and mother played instrumental roles in his early baseball career, attending his games and supporting his development from youth baseball through his professional career.

Personal Life

Hays is married to his wife Samantha, whom he met during their high school years together at Spruce Creek High School. The couple has two sons together. In 2020, Hays and his wife Samantha made a significant personal decision by converting to Christianity together, a faith that has become an important part of their family life. Hays has spoken publicly about how his faith provides him with perspective and strength during the challenges of professional baseball seasons.