Newcomer's breakout performance vs. Dodgers signals Reds may have finally struck gold

Spring training is the season of overreactions. Baseball fans haven't seen a pitch or heard the crack of the bat in several months, so when a player enjoys a fruitful day at the ballpark, he's going to become the talk of the town.

Cincinnati Reds fans needn't look that far back to remember when non-roster invitee Aramis Garcia looked like the best catcher in the organization. Garcia was rocketing missiles into the Arizona skyline and won a spot on the 2022 Reds Opening Day roster. Garcia played in just 47 games, hit .213 with a .507 OPS, and was designated for assignment.

But, while overreacting can be dangerous, it's also nice to see one of the Reds' biggest offseason acquisitions have success in the early-going. Austin Hays had himself a day on Monday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Reds fans are hoping it's a sign of things to come.

Austin Hays' breakout performance vs. Dodgers signals Reds may have finally struck gold

Hays went 3-for-3 on Monday with two home runs and six RBI. One of Hays' ribbies was missing from the scoreboard for half and inning, but the scorekeepers finally got things straightened out. Hays exited after the fifth inning and was replaced in left field by Tyler Callihan.

Hays' first bomb came in the bottom of the fourth inning. After plating two runs on a double during the first inning, Hays added to his RBI total by smashing a two-run homer off Dodgers' reliever Tanner Scott. Hays then capped off his day with another two-run blast in the bottom of the fifth inning that score Matt McLain.

Hays was the lone right-handed hitting outfielder that Cincinnati added to the roster this offseason — something Reds fans had been begging for all offseason. The former Baltimore Orioles slugger endured an injury-riddled campaign last season and signed a one-year, $5 million deal with Cincy this offseason.

The Reds have been starved for a power-hitting outfielder since Nick Castellanos left after 2021 and hoping that Hays can return to his 2023 form. Monday's game against the Dodgers was a step in the right direction, and the Cincinnati faithful are hopeful to see the same type of results once the regular season gets underway.

It was just one game, that's one heckuva way to introduce yourself to a fanbase who's dying to see a power-packed performance from the outfield.

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