Orioles ballpark cheated Reds' outfielder Austin Hays, and this stat proves it

Fresh off their series against the Seattle Mariners, the Cincinnati Reds will head to Baltimore for a three-game clash against the Orioles. It'll be a homecoming of sorts for Reds outfielder Austin Hays who spent the first seven years of his career in an Orioles uniform before being traded to the Philadelphia Phillies midway through the 2024 season.

But Camden Yards will look a little different to Hays when he steps onto the Orioles' home turf for batting practice this afternoon. The ballpark underwent a facelift this past winter that included bringing in the left field in. Referred to as "Walltimore", the Orioles made the adjustment after watching so many would-be home runs fall harmlessly into the gloves of the opposition.

Hays was surely no stranger to such an occurrence. Baltimore first moved the wall back in 2022, and for the past three seasons, watched their homer-friendly confines become a pitcher's paradise. The wall reportedly kept 138 balls from clearing the fence over that three-year span.

Orioles ballpark cheated Reds' outfielder Austin Hays, and this stat proves it

Hays was robbed during his tenure in Baltimore. According to Baseball Savant, the smaller dimensions worked in his favor during the 2021 season—one year before the wall was moved back. Hays hit 22 round trippers that season, but was only expected to smash 20.4 home runs. During Hays' All-Star season in 2023, he should've crushed 18.4 homers, but was limited to just 16.

Another mind-blowing stat is the number of homers Hays would have had in 2023 if all his games were played at Great American Ball Park. Though he only registered 16 big flies that season, Hays would have racked up 28 homers at GABP during his 2023 campaign. Is it any wonder why Nick Krall and Reds front office signed Hays to a one-year, $4 million deal this past winter.

Back from the IL, Hays is looking to do damage in the middle of the Reds lineup. The 29-year-old loudly announced his presence this past Tuesday upon his return from the IL with a go-ahead homer, and Cincinnati will need Hays' bat to keep mashing in order for the Reds to make it back to the postseason in 2025. Playing half his games at GABP will certainly help.

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