Ke'Bryan Hayes has been a massive disappointment for the Pirates

In April of 2022, the Pittsburgh Pirates signed former first round draft pick Ke’Bryan Hayes to a eight-year, $70MM contract. At that time, Pirates fans were ecstatic that the team was signing their young stars to long-term contracts. This continued when Pittsburgh also signed Mitch Keller and Bryan Reynolds to long term contracts as well. 

Hayes was a first round pick out of Concordia Lutheran High School in Tomball, Texas. He hit .436 with three home runs and 27 RBI as a senior. He was committed to the University of Tennessee, but the Pirates selected him with the 32nd overall pick and he decided to turn pro. Ke’Bryan’s dad, Charlie played 14 years in the majors, including 128 games for the Pirates during the 1996 season.

Ke’Bryan Hayes is best known for this amazing glove at third base, he won his first gold glove award in 2023 and has been spectacular throughout his career. The glove is not the issue, the bat on the other hand is. 

Hayes is hitting just .242 for Pittsburgh this season. What makes this stat even harder to swallow is he only has 12 extra base hits in 330 at bats. His three home runs are last in the National League out of starting third baseman. His slugging percentage is also near the bottom at .297. Hayes has been moved all around the lineup and does not seem to have a spot that suits his style of hitting. Hayes is only hitting .209 with runners in scoring position, on a team that is losing a bunch of close games, he needs to be better.

With Pittsburgh being a small market team that rarely gives out long-term contracts, they need to hit on the ones that they do give. When you are a team that is battling for a playoff spot, you cannot have a corner infielder who is slashing .242/.294/.297 with three homers.

What makes this season even more disappointing is the way Hayes finished the 2023 season. He slashed .299/.335/.539 in 49 games after the All-Star break. He finished the season hitting a career high 15 homers and had 53 extra base hits. 

He has had back problems and may not be playing at 100%. If this is the case, the Pirates need to shut him down and get him back to full strength, even if he misses the rest of season. With only 12 extra base hits and his lack of run production, the Pirates need to find a better option at third base. Isaiah Kiner-Falefa could fill in and if Hayes is hurt, putting him on the IL is in the best interest of the team and Hayes.