Colorado Rockies: Seven trade targets from the Baltimore Orioles

Austin Hays of the Baltimore Orioles could help the Colorado Rockies — TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 01: Austin Hays #21 of the Baltimore Orioles at bat in the fourth inning of their MLB game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on October 1, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Austin Hays could be another target for the Colorado Rockies.

Back in October when we discussed one trade target for the Colorado Rockies from each team, our choice for the Baltimore Orioles was outfielder Austin Hays.

Hays was drafted by the Orioles in the 3rd round of the 2016 Amateur Draft, 10 picks after the Colorado Rockies drafted a shortstop from California by the name of Garrett Hampson.

As we said in October, Hays, 26, just played in his first full MLB season in 2021 but he did play in the majors in parts of three seasons for a combined 74 games) so he has just over two years of service time (and four years of control under the current CBA)

In 2021, he hit 22 homers and had 71 RBI with a slash line of .256/.308/.461 and an OPS+ of 106. For the large Coors Field outfield, the Rockies should really look at him as he had 15 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) between left and right field.

Also, coincidentally, Hays graduated from Spruce Creek High School in Port Orange, Florida, which is the same high school where 2020 Rockies first-round draft pick Zac Veen graduated high school as well. Even more coincidentally, Veen is celebrating his birthday today as he is turning 20.

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Austin Hays could be another target for the Colorado Rockies.

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