Pittsburgh Pirates: Potential First Time All-Stars in 2022

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PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 12: Ke’Bryan Hayes #13 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action against the Washington Nationals during the game at PNC Park on September 12, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes

Ke’Bryan Hayes is another player who is easy to envision earning his first All-Star berth this season. Many people expected Hayes to make a push for his first All-Star berth in 2021, however, a hamate bone injury that he suffered in the second game of the season cost him a lot of time. Issues from the injury lingered throughout the season and derailed his offensive campaign.

Defensively there are no questions about Hayes. He is already among the best defensive third basemen in baseball, potentially the best defender at the hot corner in the game. While defensive stats may not help contribute to a player’s All-Star hopes being an elite defender the way Hayes is will lead to plenty of flashy plays in the field. This will generate buzz and help a player’s All-Star hopes.

Another factor that will work into Hayes’s favor is that he already has a pedigree and reputation around baseball. While he still has things to prove offensively people all across baseball already know about his defensive prowess. People have been waiting for Hayes to take that next step and emerge as an All-Star caliber player, so it would not take a lot for that to happen.