James Hays overcame adversity on path to 2023 MLB Draft
PERRY, Ga. (BVM) — James Hays has become a popular name amongst scouts for the 2023 MLB Draft. The Georgia commit stands 6-foot-2, 210 pounds and pumps out his fastball in the upper 90s from the right side. But Hays has worked himself into becoming a blue-chip prospect.
“Some kids at an early age are way better than everybody else,” Hays said. “I’d say for myself, working hard has really helped me come along. Increasing my level of competition has increased the level of my standards.”
Hays’ standards are now even higher as he’s emerged as a top MLB Draft prospect at Westfield School in Perry, Georgia. The junior is the No. 70 prospect in the 2023 class according to Prospects Live.
By the time Hays got to high school, he was already being contacted by some of the best college baseball programs in the country. As just a freshman, he was already getting the full experience of being a highly touted recruit.
“It was enjoyable to see some of the work pay off,” Hays said. “It was kind of nerve-racking. You’re like, ‘I’m calling the head coach or one of the assistant coaches, so I don’t want to mess up.’ But it was fun.”
At the end of the day, Hays decided to stay local and commit to the Bulldogs.
“It’s my home state,” Hays said. “It’s about just watching them, what they do and what kind of guys they have there. The staff kind of set them apart for me.”
Unfortunately, the Bulldogs’ staff was not able to watch Hays pitch this past season as he was recovering from a UCL avulsion fracture. This was Hays’ second major injury throughout his time in high school as he also suffered a torn ACL during the first basketball game of the season as a freshman.
Despite this, Hays has come out stronger in the end.
“I feel like I’m better prepared for more stuff that could come than maybe some people that haven’t had to go through it,” Hays said. “It’s required me to trust in the lord a lot better. To see through and trust the process. Just knowing that he’s got me.”
During the process of his elbow recovery, Hays has matured both on and off the field.
“Throughout the last year, I’ve learned how to handle situations on my own better,” Hays said. “I found out managing time is one of the biggest things I could do to make it easier on myself. Just growing up a little bit.”
After Hays gets back to being fully healthy for next season, he’ll likely have another situation that he will have to handle a year from now: If he wants to start his professional baseball career or go to Athens.
“In the past year I’ve thought about it more with the adversity I’ve had,” Hays said. “I’m waiting to see how I play this year and how I feel.”
Regardless of which route Hays takes next summer, the long-term goal is to become one of the best pitchers in the big leagues.