The 2023 MLB season, now one month underway, has produced many interesting and surprising storylines; perhaps none more shocking than The Pittsburgh Pirates — yes, the PITTSBURGH PIRATES, chillin’ atop the NL Central Standings with a record of 20-12.
These aren’t the Pirates you might’ve gotten used to, failing to win more than 69 games each season since 2018. Nah, these fellas crawled out of the cellar MANY writers predicted they’d be in this year and have already changed the heart of doubters.
Via MLB.com:
“… I think it’s a pleasant surprise given their recent years,” an NL executive said. “They have some young talent and solid players. It should be interesting to see if they can maintain the momentum as the season continues.”
“They could finish first if they can keep this momentum,” an NL executive said. “They could use a little more production from guys, but defensively, Ke’Bryan Hayes has been solid and so have some of the young arms in the rotation.”
The Past & The Future Is Now
Two big reasons for the Bucs’ early success just happen to be the play of fellow MLBbros Andrew McCutchen & Ke’Bryan Hayes, which we saw coming earlier this season. Hayes has continued to shine as one of the game’s most outstanding defensive third basemen, currently ranking second in assists and fielding percentage. He’s also first (30) in DRS (Defensive Runs Saved) among all infielders since 2022.
“Cutch” has returned to the city which witnessed his MVP form and has shown flashes of his old self, as he’s tied for a team leading six home runs. His leadership and winning pedigree has had a profound impact on this team believing they are built to win now. And Ke’Bryan Hayes’ gold glove caliber defense to start this season has been a surprise to literally no one familiar with his game. However, a positive sign has been some of the strides he’s made at the plate this season, as he’s currently on pace to set a career high in doubles and has shown tremendous contact skills, lowering his strikeout rate to 12.2%.
Despite being swept this past week by baseball’s hottest team, the Tampa Bay Rays, the Pirates, can still build on their tremendous start to the season, and the answer may rely partially on Hayes’ continued development at the plate; if he can add some offensive firepower to an offense that is currently sitting in the middle of the pack statistically, we just may see the Bucs playing meaningful games in the fall.
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