5 years agoOrioles’ outfielder Austin Hays, a top-25 prospect (MLB Pipeline) before the 2018 season, saw his stock plummet in 2018 in part to an ankle injury and a season in which he hit .235-12-46 in 316 at-bats across Single-A and Double-A. Despite his downgraded stock, and further thumb and hamstring injuries suffered in early 2019, Hays enjoyed a solid month in the majors last September which has him back on fantasy radars. In just 68 at-bats with the Orioles last September, Hays hit for a .309 AVG with four home runs and 13 RBI, to go with a .373 on-base percentage and 93 EV on FB/LD. Across five levels in 2019, including his brief MLB appearance, Hays hit 21 HR in just 419 AB. While the power is legitimate, his .309 batting average and .373 OBP production last September is most likely unsustainable. Hays showed poor plate discipline in his brief MLB stint last year including a 34.7 O-Swing% and 12 SwStr%. In addition, Hays’ .299 OBP in 351 minor league AB last season, together with his minor league career .248 AVG also suggest AVG regression. With little competition on the Orioles roster challenging Hays for the CF job, opportunistic owners willing to take Hays around his current ADP of 260, should be rewarded with 30 or more HR if he can avoid injury. However, expectations for a repeat batting average at or near .300 should absolutely be held in check.--Nick Ritrivi - RotoBaller