Born in Daytona Beach, Volusia County, Florida, United States, Austin Charles Bryan Hays turned 30 on July 5, 2025. He is now an outfielder for the Chicago White Sox of the Major League Baseball.
Chicago White Sox
Based in Chicago, Illinois, USA, the Chicago White Sox added proven veteran depth to their outfield unit by signing Hays to a one-year, $6 million contract on February 4, 2026. The deal includes an $8 million mutual option for the 2027 campaign, bringing a valuable right-handed bat and seasoned leadership to the South Side.
For the White Sox, Hays represents a reliable offensive weapon capable of delivering timely extra-base hits and solid defensive coverage in left field. His journey from Daytona Beach youth leagues to the top levels of professional baseball continues as he anchors his role on the South Side of Chicago.
Austin Hays
Hays developed his baseball skills on the diamond in Volusia County. He attended Spruce Creek High School in nearby Port Orange before advancing his collegiate career at Seminole State College of Florida and Jacksonville University. His stellar performance with the Jacksonville Dolphins led to his selection by the Baltimore Orioles in the third round of the 2016 MLB draft.
After the draft, Hays quickly worked his way through the minor league system, making his Major League debut with Baltimore in September 2017. Over seven seasons in Baltimore, Hays established himself as an aggressive, hard-hitting outfielder capable of playing across all three outfield positions. His career reached a major landmark in 2023 when he earned his first career MLB All-Star selection, finishing that season with 16 home runs, 36 doubles, and 67 runs batted in.
Following his tenure in Baltimore, Hays spent time with the Philadelphia Phillies and the Cincinnati Reds during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. His addition to Chicago provides the White Sox with an experienced presence in the clubhouse as the franchise continues to reshape its roster with a mix of veteran stability and young talent.
In an interview on “The White Sox Podcast”, Hays discussed his decision to sign with the White Sox, highlighting the club’s promising young core, the opportunity for playing time across the outfield, and his family’s love for the city. Having experienced rapid turnarounds with the Baltimore Orioles and Cincinnati Reds, he emphasized that a shift in mindset and executing in close games are key to turning things around. He also touched on his veteran leadership role, his working relationship with Ryan Fuller, and his recovery from a severe health issue in 2024.
While attending Spruce Creek High School in Port Orange, Florida, Hays met Samantha Uzzle. On November 9, 2020, they got married.
“I was looking at the team like, man, I really think things are starting to turn around I think it’s going to be a really young fun group,” Hays said. “And on top of that, Chicago is always my wife’s favorite road city so we took that into account because she just she loves it.”
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