Ke’Bryan Hayes’ Bat Has Finally Caught Up To His Glove | Pirates Franchise Player Is Crushing The Game

The Pittsburgh Pirates have been smiling ever since their franchise player Ke’Bryan Hayes returned from the injured list.

 

Hayes has been hot at the plate since his return and once again, he’s made an adjustment at the plate that has been paying off.

 

The 26-year-old third baseman returned to action at the beginning of the month after missing the majority of July where he only saw action in one game.

 

 

Within the last week, Hayes has been automatic at the plate, currently carrying a five-game hitting streak.

 

He had three consecutive multi-hit games, one of which was a three-hit performance with a home run and three RBI against the Atlanta Braves on August 9.

 

Hayes had an impressive performance in that series against the Braves. He appeared in three games and went 7-for-13 at the plate with two homers and nine RBI.

 

https://www.mlb.com/video/brad-hand-in-play-run-s-to-ke-bryan-hayes

 

If you watch Hayes at the plate, you will see that he’s gone back to a short leg kick and he shortened the load with his hands.

 

“[I’ve been] in a good spot to hit, and fortunately getting the pitches to put good swings on,” Hayes said in an mlb.com article. “Just been working a lot, figuring out a setup to make my movements as minimal as possible. But yeah, just ultimately being in a good spot with my body being behind the ball and being able to let the barrel work down.”

 

This adjustment that Hayes has made at the plate has allowed him to see a big improvement within the small amount of time he’s been back.

 

Through 84 games he’s hitting .255 with eight home runs and 43 RBI.

 

“I feel like I have all the time in the world, because my movement is a lot more simple and it’s more of just a ‘step to the ball and hit’ type of thing,” he said. “Last month or so, I’ve been seeing the ball well. It’s just that contact’s a little too deep, catching the ball with my bat path coming down versus being behind the ball. Then once I turn my hips, the barrel is working its way up through the zone, through the ball. Just really being behind the ball and being able to get the bat head up.”

 

One thing that Hayes takes pride in is making adjustments to put himself in the best position to be successful. 

 

If that means he has to make multiple adjustments within a short amount of time, he will do just that.

 

Being a hitter in the MLB is a tough task and not too many players have success throughout their careers, but Hayes is a player who can have success on the offensive side.

 

“I feel like being behind the ball better allows the barrel to get out in front a little better,” Hayes said. “You have a little room for error. You can be a little early, a little late, even.”

 

 

If Hayes can continue to be healthy during his time in Pittsburgh, the Pirates can have a bright future with a player like him leading the way.

 

With his defensive abilities and improved hitting, he can become an all-star in Pittsburgh without a doubt.

 

Going into his fourth season, we have seen a lot of improvement in Hayes’ game and the Pirates organization is very high on this MLBbro.

 

This player can go on to have a really good career and he rack up numerous awards as well.