Pittsburgh Pirates: What To Be Thankful For This Year

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Feb 20, 2019; Bradenton, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Ke’Bryan Hayes (77) poses for a photo on photo day at Pirate City. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2019; Bradenton, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Ke’Bryan Hayes (77) poses for a photo on photo day at Pirate City. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Ke’Bryan Hayes

During the 2020 season the Pittsburgh Pirates finished with a 19-41 record. This was the worst record in all of MLB. While there were not many bright spots for the Pirates during the 2020 season, one of them was the emergence of third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes.

The highly touted prospect made his MLB debut in September and become a budding superstar for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Hayes hit for a .376/.442/.682 slash line to go with a 195 wRC+ in 95 plate appearances.

Throughout the minors Hayes was known for his elite defense and hitting the ball hard, both of these translated to the Majors. Hayes posted a +4 Defensive Runs Saved and a +3 Outs Above Average at third base. Hayes did this while hitting the ball with authority posting an average exit velocity of 92.8 MPH and a hard hit rate of 55.4%, both of which are well above league average.

Best of all, for the first time since Andrew McCutchen was traded to the San Francisco Giants, the Pirates appear to have a face of the franchise again. Hayes is a great player with an infectious personality. All signs point toward Hayes becoming one of the biggest stars in baseball and he will do it in Pittsburgh. That is something Pirate fans should be thankful for.