Pittsburgh Pirates: Checking in on the Start for Ke’Bryan Hayes

Ke’Bryan Hayes has Pittsburgh Pirates fans optimistic for a playoff run in a couple of seasons, but let’s check in how he has performed up to this point in his brief career

The last couple of seasons have been a struggle for fans of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Pittsburgh has not made the postseason since the 2015 season and have not had a winning season since 2018. It seemed like there was no hope until the last few weeks of 2020 when Ke’Bryan Hayes was called upon.

Hayes has been a top 50 MLB prospect according to MLB Pipeline since 2018. When the Pittsburgh Pirates had the third baseman join the club to finish out the last month of last seasoning, giving Pittsburgh fans a much needed reason to tune in and man did he perform.

At the time, Hayes was 23-years-old and put together 14 extra base hits, 11 RBI and 17 runs while slashing .376/.442/.682 in just 24 games. By the end of the season, he had Pittsburgh hopeful for a return to the playoffs.

When the 2021 season began, all eyes were on Hayes. Unfortunately, he suffered an injury in the second game of season that placed him on the 60-day IL. Since returning though Hayes has continued to impress and look like a real potential All-Star for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Through his 24 games played this season Hayes has put together 8 extra base hits, 14 RBI and runs while hitting .284/.370/.455. Through 44 MLB games Hayes has 8 home runs, 32 runs, 25 RBI, 2 stolen bases, with a .329 batting average. At a 162 game pace that is 29 home runs, 117 runs, 92 RBI, 8 steals.

Those numbers are close to what he could produce for the Pirates on a year to year basis. 44 games is a small sample size but all signs point to Hayes being a major talent across baseball for a long time.

Not only is his bat a serious threat but his glove may even be better. Working his way up through the system, it was his glove that got all the praise. Just this past weekend, he made one of the toughest plays of the season in the field. A hard hit ground ball worked its way down the third base line and Hayes grabbed the ball with his glove in foul territory and threw across his body to throw Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina out at first.

Hayes has been phenomenal and has really given Pittsburgh Pirates fans hope. He will absolutely need some help over the next few years but it seems like Ben Cherington and the Pirates have a potential star here.