Pirates' Ke'Bryan Hayes might've been saved by new swing during spring training

All eyes were on Ke'Bryan Hayes during spring training, as the big news of the offseason was thathis back was healthy and he'd changed his swing at the plate. Hayes did have a hiccup during camp with minor side discomfort. Fortunately, that was resolved, and he finished spring training with everyone else. His health is a very significant detail to pay attention to in 2025, along with some of his results from his reworked swing.

In spring training, Hayes needed to improve on a few key things with his swing: his launch angle, average exit velocity, hard-hit rates, and ground ball percentage. All of those numbers in 2023 were really productive, finishing (in order) at 13.2, 92.2 mph, 48.3%, and 41.8%. Those represent the benchmarks they need to reach to allow Hayes to be at his best at the plate.

In 2024, those metrics fell to 4.8, 88.9 mph, 42.9%, and 52.7%. These numbers finishing where they did was a big factor as to why his batting run value ranked in the first percentile.

Going into his first season with Matt Hague, Hayes needed to try to get back to his 2023 self, and one major adjustment to his swing was obvious from the start: now, he finishes with two hands. But did his spring performance show enough positive progress to deem the new swing a success?

Pirates' Ke'Bryan Hayes needed to take positive strides during spring training, and his new swing may have saved him.

This spring, Hayes' launch angle got back up a little to 6.0, which is not close to where he was in 2023, but is 1.2 degrees higher than his 2024 number. Additionally, his average exit velocity jumped up to 93.9 mph, which is higher than it's ever been. His hard-hit rate also climbed to 53.8%, which is also at its peak. One problem, though, is his ground ball rate climbed to 61.5%. That number cannot be that high if wants to have success. That will prevent him from getting extra bases (31 doubles, seven triples, 15 home runs in 2023).

Pittsburgh desperately needs Hayes to fill a massive void in the lineup. We all know he is capable of being a slightly above-average hitter, but to do so, he needs to duplicate his 2023 results. He showed multiple positive signs this spring, so hopefully he can break out and help lead the Pirates to the postseason.