'Play the right way': Gold Glove 3B Ke'Bryan Hayes evolving into a model player for Pirates

BRADENTON, Fla. — John Wehner didn’t need defensive analytics or awards to prove what his eyes were telling him when he called Ke’Bryan Hayes the best defensive third baseman he’d ever seen.

But Wehner was going out on a limb, as Hayes was only a rookie for the Pittsburgh Pirates when the TV and radio color analyst made the statement that raised eyebrows. A Carrick native who played the position for 11 major-league seasons, including nine with the Pirates, Wehner knows the challenges of handling the hot corner.

Wehner’s vision gained validity when Hayes won his first NL Gold Glove last fall. It’s an award that many, including Wehner, viewed as long overdue.

“I don’t need vindication,” Wehner said while watching batting practice at LECOM Park. “In fact, I can take it a step further, and I probably have on the air, as recently as last year or maybe two years ago. He’s not only the best defensive third baseman, he’s the best defensive player in baseball, by far, in my opinion. Now, I don’t see the American League a lot, but as far as I’m concerned, I’d be hard-pressed to find somebody that’s a better defender at any position than Ke’Bryan Hayes.”

That’s a view shared by Pirates manager Derek Shelton, who continues to be amazed by how effortless Hayes makes plays with high degrees of difficulty appear routine. Shelton not only believes that Hayes hasn’t reached his defensive ceiling but that he’s going to get even better in all aspects of the game.

As important as it is for the 27-year-old Hayes to take the natural next step in his career by becoming an All-Star and winning a Platinum Glove, the Pirates are counting on him to continue his success at the plate over the final three months and to finally emerge as a leader of the young core. Hayes is starting to show more comfort in taking on a leadership role, given his status as one of the franchise cornerstones.

“We’re really young. A lot of the guys, I was just there, in their shoes, not too long ago,” said Hayes, who signed an eight-year, $70 million contract in April 2022. “I’m one of the older guys, so they’re asking me questions. At the same time, I’m still learning as I go. It’s only my fourth or fifth year. In a sense, I’m one of the older guys now. I want to give them as much knowledge as I know and I’m able to help them with. I’ve been here my whole career. That helps also.

“I’m not the loudest person in the room. I’ve always been a hard worker. At least in my eyes, I try to play the right way and go about my workday the right way, with purpose. I think that’s the biggest thing for younger guys, for them to be able to see guys go about their day and just see how they prep before they go out, while they’re out there, having intent with everything that they’re doing. Whether that’s playing catch or running the bases, all the good teams, the good players, that’s how they play.”

While Hayes isn’t one to give a clubhouse pep talk, Pirates coaches and teammates point to his consistency and adherence to a strict routine as evidence that he’s a symbol of professionalism.

“If you just watch how he goes about his day, he’s so focused on what he can do to get better,” said Pirates All-Star right-hander Mitch Keller, another cornerstone who signed a five-year, $77 million deal Feb. 23. “For any young player who’s watching, to see how much he cares and really dives into the game and cares about his craft — hitting, defense — shows really good leadership. He’s somebody you want to model your game after.”

Shelton noted that Hayes takes ground balls even on his day off, works hard behind the scenes to overcome the injuries that have plagued his first three seasons and is starting to share his experiences with younger players.

“Leaders don’t have to be people who are outward all the time,” Shelton said. “We’ve seen some of the best leaders in the game be guys who just do that by example. Everybody does it in their own way, and if people are going to follow him based on the way he works, then I think we’re in a pretty good spot.”

Hayes’ defense is undeniable, as he ended St. Louis Cardinals star Nolan Arenado’s 10-year run as the NL Gold Glove winner at third base last season by leading all players at his position with 21 defensive runs saved and a 13 fielding run value despite not having as many highlight-reel plays as his predecessor.

What impresses Wehner is Hayes’ footwork and the angles he takes so that he’s never out of position to get an in-between ball or bad hop. Where some third basemen shine by making diving plays or off-balance throws, Hayes has the ability to get to the ball on both feet.

“I think Hayes is really a shortstop playing third base, but he has less time to make that first step,” Wehner said. “You don’t have as much time at third as you do at short, in terms of reading hops and being in a good position to avoid a bad hop. It’s such a subtle little first step, whether it’s back, right, left or in, and it’s always on time and it’s always perfect. He makes so many plays that are difficult look easy, whereas a lot of people make easy plays look hard. You hardly ever see him leave his feet, but he covers more ground than any third baseman I’ve ever seen.”

The return of shortstop Oneil Cruz after missing the majority of last season with a fractured left ankle could help Hayes be even better at third base, as Cruz’s range and arm strength could allow Hayes to hug the line instead of playing off to his left to protect the hole.

“Anything hit on the left side of the field, I know it’s probably going to get swallowed up for an out, or at least stay in the infield with him and Cruz over there,” Keller said. “Especially Ke’. He’s so good. I really don’t think people understand. He’s got the Gold Glove, but it goes beyond that, too. He makes things look so easy, and people don’t really appreciate it.”

Even Shelton catches himself amazed at the plays by Hayes.

“We were doing a drop-ball double-play drill,” Shelton said last week, “and he fielded a ball down the line that was just like, ‘Good God!’ ”

Hayes could make an even bigger impact at the plate, where he has been inconsistent while dealing with bothersome back, hip and wrist issues the past two seasons. After missing all but one game in July, Hayes slashed .307/.334/.528 with 19 doubles, three triples, 13 home runs and 42 RBIs in 71 games over the final three months.

When designated hitter Andrew McCutchen partially tore his left Achilles last September, Hayes replaced him in the third spot in the batting order. Hayes hit .279/.308/.460 with nine doubles and 12 homers in the three-hole last year and is batting .273 with a double and two homers in four Grapefruit League games, making a case to remain in the middle of the batting order behind Cruz and left fielder Bryan Reynolds.

“It was great to be able to finish how I did,” Hayes said. “The last couple years have been a roller coaster with health and all that. Finding a good routine where I’m feeling good with that. Getting more simple in the box and really finding a good setup. … I felt comfortable in my setup to where I could relax and sit and wait on the ball and, ultimately, not have to think too much and be aggressive, be athletic. Last year I was able to get back on the right track. This year, I want to be able to do it for a whole season. That starts with being healthy the whole season. My main goal is just to be able to play the whole year and be available for my team, be a leader, play hard and be out there every day.”