Pittsburgh Pirates Best Prospects By Each Tool: Position Players

(Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)
(Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) /
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FORT MYERS, FL- FEBRUARY 29: Ke’Bryan Hayes #13 of the Pittsburgh Pirates throws during a spring training game against the Minnesota Twins on February 29, 2020 at the Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS, FL- FEBRUARY 29: Ke’Bryan Hayes #13 of the Pittsburgh Pirates throws during a spring training game against the Minnesota Twins on February 29, 2020 at the Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) /

Fielding – Ke’Bryan Hayes

MLB Pipeline: 65

Fangraphs: 60, future 70

Hayes appears yet again on this list. Hayes is the best fielder in the Pittsburgh Pirates system and it’s not even close. Not only is Hayes the best fielding prospect in the Pirates system, but he might just be the best fielding infielder in the minors.

Hayes’ 65 grade by MLB pipeline is the only 60+ grade by any Pirates prospect. He also has the highest fielding grade by any third baseman. Out of all top 100 MLB Pipeline prospects, only three other players had a fielding grade of 65 or higher, and one was a catcher. Only one other infielder has a grade higher than him in Seattle Mariners first base prospect Evan White. Although he isn’t the Pirates’ strongest armed fielder, he is the only third base prospect with 60+ grades for his fielding and arm. One of the last players to receive both 60+ grades for their fielding and arm was Nationals’ outfielder Victor Robles, and

the last third baseman to receive grades this good for their fielding was Oakland A’s all-time great defender Matt Chapman.

FanGraphs paints an even brighter picture with a future fielding grade of 70. That ceiling is on par with Robles and higher than the aforementioned Matt Chapman. Hayes will easily not just be in contention for a Gold Glove, but the platinum glove as well during his Major League career.