There’s a lot to be excited about with Ke’Bryan Hayes.
In the four games since returning from injury, Hayes has had multi-hit games in all but one, batting .388 with a homerun and 3 RBI in 18 at-bats.
He’s also showed off defensively at the hot corner, so much so that Pirates broadcaster and former third baseman John Wehner heaped some very high praise on Hayes with The Fan Morning Show during his weekly spot Tuesday at 9:30 am.
“His movement, his range, his jumps, his angles…it’s elite,” said Wehner. “I’m looking forward to seeing the Cardinals 18 times a year to see Nolan Arenado because everybody talks about how he’s the best in the business. We’ve only watched him six times per year, I’ve never really noticed the defense enough from Arenado other than knowing he wins Gold Gloves and he’s really good.
I said last year, I think Ke’Bryan Hayes is the best third baseman I’ve ever seen.
Now I’ve seen him play a lot more than Arenado and so I’m curious to see how those two compare as they go. [Hayes] movements, his angles, he doesn’t ever get caught in-between, he always puts himself in a position with his feet to get a good hop. His arm is accurate. He covers so much ground and makes it all look so easy.
It’s a shame when he plays and he doesn’t get much action. The more action, the more entertained you’d be by watching him. On TV, it doesn’t give it justice because by the time the camera goes from batter to Hayes, you’re missing some of the stuff that he does as far as getting in position to field the ball.
But yeah, it’s as good as I’ve ever seen in my years in baseball, him playing third base.”
The Pirates begin a 3-game home series with the Dodgers Tuesday night at 7:05. They'll play Arenado and the Cardinals later on this month for a 4-game series in St. Louis that begins on June 24.