MLB rumors: 5 prospects who can help the Orioles in 2019

TAMPA, FL - MARCH 01: Baltimore Orioles right fielder Austin Hays (21) rounds the basses after hitting a home run during the MLB Spring Training game between the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees on March 01, 2019 at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, FL. (Photo by /Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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TAMPA, FL – MARCH 01: Baltimore Orioles right fielder Austin Hays (21) rounds the basses after hitting a home run during the MLB Spring Training game between the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees on March 01, 2019 at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, FL. (Photo by /Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. Austin Hays

When he was called up in the middle of an ill-fated playoff push in 2017, outfielder Austin Hays actually became the first player from his draft class to reach the big leagues. Hays was called up only a year after being drafted and appeared in 20 games for the Orioles, hitting his first MLB home run in the process. Unfortunately, he was unable to build on his successful campaign and 2018 could be called a lost year for the 23-year-old, who fell out of the MLB top-100 prospects list.

Ankle and shoulder injuries limited Hays to only 75 games last season, and he appeared to be pressing to make up for lost time when he was able to get back on the field. He hit only .235/.266/.410 with 12 home runs and 43 RBI. The Orioles had hoped to see the free-swinger rein it in at the plate, but Hays walked only 12 times in over 300 total plate appearances.

Despite the down year in 2018, Hays remains one of the most exciting Orioles prospects to watch. A healthy offseason of work should restore the explosive athleticism and power he showed in 2017. He was one of the best players in Orioles Spring Training, hitting .351/.385/.892 with five home runs and 13 RBI in 12 games.

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Hays really did put up epic numbers in Spring Training, leaving many expecting him to break camp with the team for Opening Day. In another year, or on a different team, Hays did enough in Florida to earn a spot on the MLB roster, but the Orioles aren’t playing for anything this year. The new front office will take their time and give Hays some time to get comfortable in the minors for a month or two before summoning him up for good.

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