Maybe a better defender than Stowers. But I think Stowers has better OBP skills, for sure.
66 games at AA Bowie in 2018, Hays went .242/.271/.432 for a .703 OPS 288 plate appearances
66 games (yes, they both played 66 games in AA Stowers went .283/.377/.561 for a .938. 276 plate appearances
2018 for Hays was after his big 2017 campaign at AA where he had a .960 OPS. I can't remember the excuses for the big fall off in performance, I'm assuming it had to do with injuries or something.
I think Hays is a good player, I just don't deem him as necessary. Wouldn't hesitate to include him in a trade if we get back something good.