Orioles prospect Austin Hays was out for two months with a lingering ankle injury that took away his ability to play the game he loves, yet that time in the dugout might have gotten him back to being a player that game constantly rewarded.
Hays stayed with Double-A Bowie the whole time he was out, watching what was working for the players who were doing well and seeing what was lacking for those who weren’t.
As a result, he returned to the Baysox lineup this week with a clear understanding of what would help him regain his top prospect form, one that made him one of the minors’ brightest stars and earned him the distinction of being the first 2016 draftee to reach the majors last season.