During the offseason, the Philadelphia Phillies chose to move on from their key trade deadline acquisition, believing he wasn’t the long-term answer for their outfield. Instead, they signed former Minnesota Twins slugger Max Kepler in free agency, hoping he would fill the void.

However, the Phillies might already be second-guessing their decision after Hays’ explosive performance in the Cincinnati Reds’ Cactus League game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday. The 29-year-old outfielder went 3-for-3 with a double, two home runs, and six RBI—matching his home run and RBI totals from his entire stint with the Phillies. Even more impressively, two of those hits came with two outs, showcasing his ability to deliver in clutch situations.

Yes, it was just a spring training game, but after a disappointing 2024 season, Hays seems determined to prove that his offensive firepower is back. His breakout performance has left Phillies fans wondering why they never saw that version of him in Philadelphia.

The Phillies had acquired Hays from the Baltimore Orioles at last year’s trade deadline, hoping he’d provide a late-season spark. Instead, he struggled, hitting just .256 with a .672 OPS, two home runs, and six RBI in 22 games. Ironically, he matched those power numbers in a single preseason outing with the Reds.

To be fair, Philadelphia never got a true evaluation of Hays, as he spent much of his brief tenure on the injured list and had little impact in the playoffs. Given his underwhelming stint, the Phillies quickly moved on after the season.

Now fully healthy and with a fresh start in Cincinnati, Hays is taking full advantage of his opportunity. If Monday’s performance is a sign of what’s to come, the Phillies may come to regret letting him go. Had they been more patient, they might have had the perfect fit for their lineup. Instead, their impatience could end up being a costly mistake.