PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Nearly three weeks back from his wrist injury, Pirates third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes has hits in all but three of those games including breaking out of a little slump, 2 for last 13, with a pair of hits and RBI on Wednesday.
Hayes learning about how teams are pitching him differently and studies every batter and how the opposing pitcher attacks other Pirates. Manager Derek Shelton said Hayes really honed this skill during his nearly two months on the injured list.
The 24-year-old said despite the couple of hits against Chicago, he's still not completely where he wants to be.
"There are a few pitches that I am missing in the middle of the plate that I would like to not foul off," Hayes said. "You have to pick a side of the plate and stick with it the whole at bat and when they make a mistake over the middle of the plate. You can't miss it."
He has the advantage most don't have with his father playing 14 seasons in the majors, collecting 1,379 hits, 114 of those with the Pirates.
"Just my demeanor," Hayes said of dealing with the rigors of a long baseball season. "I'm a pretty even keeled person. One thing my dad always told me especially when I got to the minor leagues. You are going to have ups and going to have downs. You have to come in every day, work hard and go out there and play the best you can."
When Hayes has struggled, and struggled is a strong term for a player who has only eight hitless games out of 43 in the major leagues. He's learned to deal with it without too much worry.
"Hitting is one of the hardest things to do in the world," Hayes said. "You can't stress about it too much. You have to come in every day, work and try to get better. Just try to square the ball up and have good at bats."
He's seen a lot of that directly in front of him and behind him in the lineup with Adam Frazier and Bryan Reynolds. Each hitting over .300 and Frazier in the top five in the league in several categories. Hayes talks with both about what they are seeing from pitchers during the game to gather as much information as possible. He says there is a lot to like about Frazier's first half in particular.
"A lot of times it looks like he's trying not to do too much," Hayes said. "He takes what the pitcher gives him. A heater outside, he will slap it over shortstop or over third base. If they miss middle, middle in with off-speed he will drive it right-center, right field."
Still a rookie with only 155 MLB at bats to his name, seems like Hayes is everything the Pirates hoped. Not just in production; but how he handles all situations. Oh, and his glove is pretty good too.
