PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The closest the Pirates have to a first round pick on their MLB roster who had to realistic options to go to college rather than sign with the Bucs is Ke'Bryan Hayes.
A son of former Pirate Charlie Hayes, Ke'Bryan says he was at his father's baseball facility in Texas on draft day in 2015. Hayes recalled a lot of kids were there, some teammates from high school and a lot of immediate family.
"Just remember just being there," Hayes said. "All the support, all the kids were starstruck looking at me. Everyone just waiting on my name to be called. Whenever my name was called it was a big relief."
His name was called after the Pirates drafted University of Arizona shortstop Kevin Newman 19th overall. Hayes went 32nd overall, a compensatory pick for losing Russell Martin to free agency.
"It wasn't too stressful," Hayes said. "I did all I could have done leading up to it. Wherever I went is wherever I went."
Along with his father playing 14 years in the majors, Hayes older brother was a pitcher in the Reds organization. He would often be with him and get the chance to practice on the same fields. Hayes was also confident he belonged because he spent that Spring/Summer playing against the top players in various tournaments.
He knew the life. He knew the timetable. He also knew he had another option.
"Depending on where I went, I was committed to (University of) Tennessee," Hayes said. "A good program that I feel like would have given me a chance to play right away. Get faster, stronger-all the things I wanted to do coming out of high school."
If Hayes chose the college option, one he would make his mother happy. Two, in three years he could position himself higher in the draft and make more money to start.
The Pirates offered Hayes the exact slot value for the time. A $1.855 million signing bonus.
"It was a quick decision once I got picked where I got picked," Hayes said. "I was pretty familiar with the minor league life. My brother played, my dad played. I knew about the everyday bus rides. I was ready to go. I was fortunate enough to know what was ahead as far as the minor league life. So I was ready to go."
The 18-year-old signed some autographs that night and the next day got up early and hit the batting cage to get ready. He was ready to go.
