By Annie Walker
July 26, 2024
The Phillies have acquired outfielder Austin Hays from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for right-handed pitcher Seranthony Domínguez and outfielder Cristian Pache.
Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski made the announcement.
Hays, 29, slashed .255/.316/.395 with a 106 OPS+ in 63 games for Baltimore this season. In 72 plate appearances against left-handers, Hays is slashing .328/.394/.500 with an .894 OPS. Of the 212 major league hitters who have faced at least 70 left-handers this season, Hays’ .394 OBP ranks 31st.
The starting center fielder in the 2023 All-Star Game for the American League, Hays slashed .275/.325/.444 with a .769 OPS and 54 extra-base hits (36 2B, 2 3B, 16 HR) last season. He set career highs in runs (76), hits (143), doubles, extra-base hits, multi-hit games (40), walks (38) and stolen bases (5). Defensively, he had 6 Defensive Runs Saved in left field which ranked fourth among all American League left fielders in 2023.
In 2022, Hays was named Baltimore’s recipient of the Heart & Hustle Award, given annually to a player on each club who demonstrates a passion for the game of baseball and best embodies the values, spirit and traditions of the game.
Originally selected by the Orioles in the third round of the 2016 MLB Draft, Hays appeared in 557 games for Baltimore over parts of seven seasons (2017; 2019-24) and slashed .262/.314/.433 with a .747 OPS, 121 doubles, eight triples, 66 home runs, 242 RBI and 126 walks. Against left-handers in his career, he has hit .272 with a .328 on-base percentage and .463 slugging percentage (.791 OPS).
Hays will wear No. 9.
A native of Esperanza, D.R., Domínguez, 29, appeared in 230 games for the Phillies over parts of six seasons (2018-19; 2021-24) and posted a 3.55 ERA (87 ER, 220.2 IP). He was originally signed by the Phillies as an amateur free agent on Oct. 6, 2011.
Pache, 25, hit .202 in 50 games for the Phillies this season. A native of Santo Domingo, D.R., Pache was acquired by the Phillies from the Oakland Athletics on March 29, 2023. He spent parts of two seasons with Philadelphia, playing in 98 games.
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