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.
鈥淪ome kids at an early age are way better than everybody else,鈥� Hays said. 鈥淚鈥檇 say for myself, working hard has really helped me come along. Increasing my level of competition has increased the level of my standards.鈥�
Hays鈥� standards are now even higher as he鈥檚 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 .
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.
鈥淚t was enjoyable to see some of the work pay off,鈥� Hays said. 鈥淚t was kind of nerve-racking. You鈥檙e like, 鈥業鈥檓 calling the head coach or one of the assistant coaches, so I don鈥檛 want to mess up.鈥� But it was fun.鈥�
At the end of the day, Hays decided to stay local and commit to the Bulldogs.
鈥淚t鈥檚 my home state,鈥� Hays said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about just watching them, what they do and what kind of guys they have there. The staff kind of set them apart for me.鈥�
Unfortunately, the Bulldogs鈥� staff was not able to watch Hays pitch this past season as he was recovering from a UCL avulsion fracture. This was Hays鈥� 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.
鈥淚 feel like I鈥檓 better prepared for more stuff that could come than maybe some people that haven鈥檛 had to go through it,鈥� Hays said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 required me to trust in the lord a lot better. To see through and trust the process. Just knowing that he鈥檚 got me.鈥�
During the process of his elbow recovery, Hays has matured both on and off the field.
鈥淭hroughout the last year, I鈥檝e learned how to handle situations on my own better,鈥� Hays said. 鈥淚 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.鈥�
After Hays gets back to being fully healthy for next season, he鈥檒l 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.
鈥淚n the past year I鈥檝e thought about it more with the adversity I鈥檝e had,鈥� Hays said. 鈥淚鈥檓 waiting to see how I play this year and how I feel.鈥�
Regardless of which route Hays takes next summer, the long-term goal is to become one of the best pitchers in the big leagues.