Hays Brings Home Third Player of the Week Honor

FREDERICK, MD - The Frederick Keys are excited to announce that outfielder, Austin Hays , has been named the Carolina League Player of the Week for the second week in-a-row. In total, the former Jacksonville University star has claimed the league's weekly award three times in 2017. Meanwhile, Frederick players have brought home a weekly honor four times in the last five weeks.
Hays, 21, posted a .387/.387/.871 slash line over seven games. Going 12-for-31, the outfielder hit four home runs to go with eight RBIs, three doubles and seven runs scored. Hitting safely in all seven games, Hays capped off the first-half in style on Sunday. In the finale against Lynchburg, he finished 5-for-5 with two home runs, six RBIs and scored four runs while coming up just a triple shy of the cycle. The five hits and six RBIs were career-highs.

Owner of an eight-game hitting streak, Hays is batting .328 in 64 games with 16 home runs, 41 RBIs, three triples, 15 doubles and 42 runs scored to go with a .592 slugging percentage. After Sunday's onslaught, he paces all of Advanced-A in total bases (155). Hays also leads the CL in hits (86), is second in hitting and home runs and is third in extra-base hits (34).
Drafted by the Orioles in the third round of the 2016 draft out of Jacksonville University, Hays is one of four Keys players who will participate in Tuesday night's Carolina League All Star Classic. One of the starting outfielders, Hays will be joined by teammates Ryan Mountcastle , Randolph Gassaway and Tanner Chleborad .
Following the conclusion of the all-star break, the Keys head to Lynchburg to take on the Hillcats on Thursday night at City Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m and can be heard on 1450 AM The Source, frederickkeys.com and the TuneIn Radio App.
Frederick returns to Nymeo Field on Monday, June 26 when the team kicks off an eight-game homestand beginning with the Wilmington Blue Rocks. Highlights include Keyote's Birthday on June 30, Caddyshack Night on Saturday, July 1 with an appearance by Michael O'Keefe (aka Danny Noonan) as well as four fireworks shows. For ticket information, fans can call the Keys at 301-815-9939 or visit frederickkeys.com.