Watch Out for Ke’Bryan Hayes
There is a lot of hype around Pittsburgh Pirates’ 3rd Baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes, and it goes without saying that there are many reasons why. Elite glovework at the hot corner, a strong arm, good speed and he makes great contact to all parts of the field with some pop.
2020 was a tough year not just for baseball, but the world. Before Hayes was called up to the big leagues, it was announced on July 19th that he tested positive for Covid-19. No minor league baseball was being played in 2020, so this could have been detrimental for the young prospect. But Hayes wouldn’t let this get the best of him.
On September 1st, it was announced that the Pirates were calling up their highly anticipated prospect to the big leagues. He would make his debut that day as a part of the starting lineup, playing the hot corner. All the buzz around the young prospect was mostly because of his elite fielding and rocket arm. The world would learn quickly that this was not the only strong suit to Hayes’ game. After going 0 for 2 to start his big league career, in the 6th inning, Hayes ripped an RBI double off the wall in left field, nearly clearing the wall by a matter of feet. In his next at-bat, he made sure he cleared the wall. In the bottom of the 8th inning, with the Pirates down by 1 run, Hayes lifted a ball deep to dead center field for a solo home run that tied the game. In his debut, Ke’Bryan, who is the son of former World Series Champion Charlie Hayes, definitely proved he was ready for big moments.
Ke’Bryan ended the 2020 campaign with an unbelievably impressive run. Hayes went on a stretch where he had eight straight hits! Four of those eight hits went for extra bases: three of them being doubles and one a home run. The news came out recently that Hayes was offered a contract extension this offseason, but he turned it down.
Ke’Bryan Hayes made a lot of noise in his short but remarkable 2020 campaign where he hit .376, five home runs and had an OPS of 1.124. This has left many people wondering if the five-tool prospect can keep up the momentum he had from 2020. This spring training, Ke’Bryan Hayes has done more than just back up his 2020 season. Hayes is 19 for 43 this spring, which is good for a batting average of .442. Yes, you read that right, .442. Hayes also has 8 runs batted in, has swiped two bases and once again has an insanely high OPS at 1.222.
I’m not sure if any rookie in MLB history can possibly have this much momentum coming into a regular season. All Bryan has done this spring is back up his incredible 2020 season. Bryan still has rookie eligibility this year. According to FanDuel, Hayes has the best odds (+300) of winning the NL Rookie of the Year. Expect Hayes to be hitting in the two-hole for the Pirates, penciled in at 3rd base all season. If you haven’t done your fantasy baseball drafts yet, reach for Ke’Bryan Hayes. The five-tool stud will not disappoint.