Austin Hays' slump might spark Reds call-up for top prospect

Cincinnati Reds fans have to be wondering what's plaguing Austin Hays of late. The 2023 All-Star, in his first season with the Reds, was off to a blazing-hot start. Despite being hampered by an early-season injury, Hays had an unbelievable first few months, and was batting over .300 at the end of May.

A left foot contusion landed him on the injured list back on May 29 , and since then, Hays hasn't been close to the same player. Hays was out of the lineup on Monday night against the Philadelphia Phillies and is hitting just .100 during the month of August.

Hays' recent slump will undoubtedly spark a discussion among the Reds' fanbase about the idea of promoting top prospect Héctor Rodríguez earlier than expected.

Austin Hays' slump might spark Reds call-up for top prospect Héctor Rodríguez

Rodríguez is the club's top outfield prospect, and wasn't necessarily expected to reach the major leagues until sometime next year. But Rodríguez is hitting .307 with a .931 OPS in 20 games for Triple-A Louisville. With the Reds' offense floundering — and Hays being a big factor in their struggles — the team may have no other choice but to give him a shot at some point this season.

Cincinnati can no longer afford to give away at-bats, and Francona proved as much on Monday night by leaving Hays on the bench. The Reds' manager decided instead to roll with Gavin Lux in left field, but the career-infielder is not a good defender.

Lux has been worth -5 defensive runs saved (DRS) and -6 outs above average (OAA) while playing left field this season. Rodríguez has spent his entire professional career on the outfield grass, and while he's still developing his arm, according to Francona, one has to assume that he's already a better defender than Lux.

Rodríguez has proven to be a capable bat at every level of the minors, and fans are wondering if he could bring that same level of production to the big leagues this season. Hays surely won't be benched in favor of a 21-year-old rookie, but allowing the duo to split time over the final month-plus of the season could give Cincinnati a favorable 1-2 punch in left field.

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