Is Hays outrunning the outfield competition?

SARASOTA, Fla. - As Austin Hays broke toward a fly ball in right-center field Thursday afternoon, he fought the elements but already had conquered his fears.

The potential damage to a surgically repaired left ankle never crossed Hays' mind as he made a sprawling catch against the Pirates. A sprint and landing on the rock-hard warning track produced a highlight play and a broadest of smiles across his face.

No pain or repercussions.

"Off the bat it was pretty high, so I was running thinking there's a chance I'm going to get to this ball and the closer I got, the closer it was getting to the sun, so I took a couple false steps right before I went to slide," Hays said, enjoying the chance to provide his own replay while sitting at his locker.

"You can kind of see it in the video how I take a couple steps because it was going through the sun on the way down and came out and I just laid out for it."

The ball stayed in his glove, bringing a nice ovation from fans of both teams at LECOM Park.

"Just try to squeeze it as hard as I can," he said, "keeping it off the ground and just slide and roll through it and land on my feet."

Not once did Hays think about the ankle while in pursuit. The one that required a procedure in September to repair a stress fracture and some cartilage defects.

Dr. Robert Anderson, a specialist based in Green Bay, Wis., inserted two screws in the ankle and performed a bone graft to repair the cartilage and prevent a cyst from returning.

"It's just ball's hit, I'm going after it," Hays said, explaining his mindset. "I'll do whatever I can to catch it. It's definitely worth diving."

Hays had no shot at duplicating the play, perhaps the finest made in any exhibition game this spring, in 2018 while trying to push through the discomfort and restrictions and rescue a season already compromised by a shoulder strain that carried through camp into the start of Eastern League competition.

"With the ankle last year I don't think I would have been able to get to that ball," he said. "I just don't think I had the foot speed, and I was heavier, too. I don't think I would have been able to get to it."

The weight will have to wait. Let's stay on Hays' stride and how changing his running technique is making him faster and less prone to injury.

"I think I have a little better running mechanics now than what I had before," Hays said, "because that was a big focus for me, was running with proper mechanics, getting everything to work in the right direction. Staying on my toes, not running heel to toe. Plus, it helps a lot in the outfield when you stay on your toes because the ball doesn't jump as much on you, doesn't move around as much. Your head's not moving, keeps your head still.

"So that was a big focus for me this offseason, especially when I first started coming back and running again, was just running with good form."

The improvements in Hays are far-reaching compared to last summer. He followed a spectacular 2017 season, split between Single-A Frederick and Double-A Bowie, by slashing .242/.271/.432 in 66 games with the Baysox. He couldn't stay off the disabled list and didn't train properly, with Orioles officials noting that he bulked up over the winter to his detriment.

Too much time in the weight room, reducing his flexibility, and too much effort in pulling the ball rather than hitting to all fields. He's dropped 15-20 pounds, by his estimation, after reporting last spring at 210, also alleviating the strain on his ankle.

"I've lost quite a bit of weight," he says proudly.

Happens when you ditch the sugars and carbs.

Hays is making it hard for the Orioles to send him back to the minors. He's 6-for-21 with a triple and two home runs - the average dipping to .286 after an 0-for-4 on Thursday - and showing the new regime that he can handle all three outfield spots, with left the most challenging for him.

"I'm very confident with what I've done so far," he said. "I feel good with how I'm going out there and the product that I'm putting on the field for the team to see."

Executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias and manager Brandon Hyde weren't around in 2017 when Hays batted .329/.365/.593 with 32 doubles, five triples, 32 home runs and 95 RBIs with the Keys and Baysox, earning a surprise promotion to the majors in September and starting his service clock.

They're getting an idea of what they missed. Only he's a faster version.