A left hamstring strain, kidney infection and back soreness limited Austin Hays to just 22 games after he was acquired from the Baltimore Orioles in late July. But none of that matters now — the postseason is looming, and Hays is ready to go.
During the simulated game that the Phillies played at Citizens Bank Park Wednesday to stay sharp while they are on the bye, Hays went 2-for-4, per manager Rob Thomson. Additionally, Thomson said that Hays ran the bases well and made a great play in the outfield as well.
So what will Hays’ role be in the postseason?
Both president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski yesterday and Thomson today have kept their cards close to the vest in regards to how the Phillies will handle center and left field in the NLDS. In some senses, it will depend what pitcher will be on the mound for the opposing team. The Phillies don’t yet know whether their opponent will be the New York Mets or Milwaukee Brewers, though the former has a 1-0 lead over the latter.
But the Phillies gave Hays chances to be the every day left fielder both when they landed him from the Orioles and when he returned from his hamstring injury. Thomson still seems high on the 29-year-old.
“I think he can potentially play every day, to tell you the truth,” Thomson said. “His bat speed is back. His strength is back. He said he felt really good running today, so that’s the first time in a few days that he’s felt that. If he’s swinging the bat the way we know he can … and I think his at-bats against right-handed pitching the last couple of times he’s had them have been better … he’s a guy.”
Of course, playing every day doesn’t necessarily mean starting every day. There’s little doubt that Hays — who has a .941 OPS in 82 at-bats against lefties this year — will be in left field if the Phillies are facing a left-hander. But while his career splits aren’t as drastic, Hays posted just a .569 OPS in 153 at-bats against righties this year.
What’s possible is that if the Phillies are facing a tough righty, Brandon Marsh will start in left field with Johan Rojas’ strong glove in center field. Against a righty with more neutral splits, Hays could play in left field with Marsh in center field. And then either Marsh or Rojas would be in center field against a left-handed pitcher, with Hays in left field.
Fans should expect that whoever starts in left and center field might not be who finishes the game there. If Hays or Marsh doesn’t start, they could be pinch-hit options off the bench. Rojas could come into games he doesn’t start as a pinch runner and/or defensive replacement. Plus, Weston Wilson and Kody Clemens will also probably be looming on the bench in the NLDS, with the Phillies likely to carry 14 position players and 12 pitchers in the best-of-five series.
From there, the Phillies would be wise to ride the hot hand. If Hays can stay healthy, he could very well be that guy.
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