PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – A look at Pirates players from last year and the potential for them to be a part of a hopeful Bucco resurgence in two or three years.
Of the players we highlight from 2020, there is no player who more anticipated than Ke'Bryan Hayes.
Is Ke'Bryan Hayes a part of the Pirates future?
CONTRACT—Isn't eligible for arbitration until 2024 and can't become a free agent until 2027.
HISTORY—A first round pick of the Pirates in 2015 out of high school, the glove has been major-league ready since he was a teenager. The bat really showed up in Altoona in 2018, with a professional best .293 average and .375 OBP to go with 31 doubles, 7 triples and 7 homers. A righty, Hayes would hit a career-high 10 homers in 110 games in AAA in 2019.
OUTPUT—Talked about for years, the son of former Pirate Charlie Hayes absolutely burst onto the scene in the majors. Hayes hit .376 in 24 games with a .442 OBP with 5 homers and 7 doubles. The 24-year-old named to the Baseball American All-Rookie Team despite playing less than half of the season. What makes last year even more remarkable was the time missed due to expected coronavirus positive and no minor-league season to ramp up.
OUTLOOK—It would be hard for Hayes to meet the growing expectations for this season. He's been dubbed a reason to come to the ballpark in 2021. He will be the starting third baseman and a middle-of-the-order hitter. Can he live up to the hype and eyes on him will be the question, his dad should help with that.
YES—it's the easiest in our series, no other Pirate currently in the majors is a bigger part of their future than the Texas native.
