Austin Hays is heading to Philadelphia as the Phillies acquire their desired right-handed bat.
On Friday, the Phillies traded relief pitcher Seranthony Dominguez and outfielder Cristian Pache to the Baltimore Orioles for the 29-year-old outfielder Hays, who is currently hitting .255 in 63 games this season. This trade happens just days before Tuesday’s trade deadline.
In his 63 games this season, Hays has a batting average of .255, an on-base percentage of .316, and a slugging percentage of .395, with three home runs and 14 RBIs. Notably, he excels against left-handed pitchers, hitting .328 with an OPS of .894 in 39 games.
Hays was the starting center fielder for the American League in the 2023 MLB All-Star Game. Last season, he achieved career highs with 76 runs scored, 143 hits, 40 multi-hit games, and five stolen bases.
In 2022, Hays earned Baltimore’s Heart & Hustle Award.
Dominguez, 29, has pitched in 230 games for the Phillies over six seasons, posting a 4.75 ERA in 38 games this season. He has a career 3.55 ERA over 220 innings with the Phillies. He was signed as an amateur free agent from Esperanza, Dominican Republic, in 2011.
Pache, 25, appeared in 50 games for the Phillies in 2024, hitting .202. He joined the Phillies from the Oakland Athletics in March 2023 and hails from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Hays, originally from Daytona Beach, Florida, will wear No. 9 for the Phillies.
Dominguez will join former Phillies closer Craig Kimbrel in the Orioles’ bullpen, as Kimbrel signed with Baltimore in the offseason.
