Pittsburgh Pirates Best Prospects By Each Tool: Position Players

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FORT MYERS, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 29: Ke’Bryan Hayes #13 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during the spring training game against the Minnesota Twins at Century Link Sports Complex on February 29, 2020 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Hit – Third Baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes

MLB Pipeline: 60

FanGraphs: 45, future 55

Ke’Bryan Hayes has been given above average ratings for his hit tool by both MLB Pipeline and FanGraphs. After all, he did have a .293 batting average and .375 OBP during the 2018 season. Hayes doesn’t have that much power, as his highest slugging percentage mark is just .444, but he racks up plenty of doubles.

Despite 2019 being a down season for him, Hayes still reached the 30 double mark with 31. Overall, he batted for a measly .265/.336/.415 line in 480 plate appearances at Triple-A. But remember that Hayes suffered a dislocated index finger and missed half of June and part of the first week of July. Hayes finished off the season with a .290/.337/.435 line in the second half of the season. He also batted .327/.375/.452 through August, which gives tons of hope for the future for this top prospect.

Hayes is ranked as the Pirates 2nd best prospect per MLB Pipeline, and best prospect per FanGraphs. MLB Pipeline also ranks him as a top 50 prospect, clocking in at 41, and also is ranked as the 2nd best third base prospect, right behind the Philadelphia Phillies’ Alex Bohm. FanGraphs pins the youngster as the 30th best prospect in all of baseball. At 23-years-old, Hayes should be the regular third baseman for the Pirates in the Majors by the end of whenever the next season is.

Liover Peguero came in a close second, as he had a 55 grade by MLB.com, and 60 future grade by FanGraphs, but it currently sits at 25.

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