Pirates pitcher Steven Brault has played with Andrew McCutchen and Josh Bell, but he says Ke'Bryan Hayes is the best everyday baseball player he has ever played with.
"Nobody compares to what Ke'Bryan does, it's incredible," Brault said on "The Chris Rose Rotation". "He makes everything look so easy that it doesn't even look like he's that good . . . he makes plays that would be hard for other people look extremely routine on defense."
That's high praise for a guy that only played a month or so in the MLB last year, but Brault says it's not hyperbole.
"I'm not saying he's the best player ever, I'm just saying that as far as in and out everyday the consistency of how good he is at everything in baseball . . . he's a five-tool guy, I've never played with a true five-tool guy, like him and it's awesome," said Brault.
Brault didn't play with McCutchen during his prime years so maybe that would've changing his mind but he's sticking by his statement.
"Nothing phases him, they call him a slow heartbeat guy it doesn't' matter the situation, it doesn't matter how hard the ball is hit at him, he's always just gonna be like 'eh, whatever, I mean, I'm better than everybody else so I'm just going to do what I have to do' and it's just insane to see."
So far this spring, Hayes has a .488 batting average with 18 hits, six doubles, two triples and a home run, along with 8 RBI.
It was reported on Wednesday that Hayes rejected an extension with the Pirates, betting on himself and the future of the franchise.
Brault is one of six current Major Leaguers that serve as a co-host on The Chris Rose Rotation. Former Pirates pitcher, now with Tampa, Tyler Glasnow is also a co-host.
Brault is currently out of action for the next 10 weeks with a lat strain.
