BRADENTON, Fla. — For a Pirates crew anchored by a 37-year-old former Nationwide League Most Invaluable Participant in Andrew McCutchen, a participant 10 years his junior is rising as an vital chief.
As he prepares to start solely his fourth full season within the Majors, Ke’Bryan Hayes has change into a supply of data for most of the membership’s youthful gamers, a few of whom referred to as him a teammate within the Minors.
“I used to be simply there of their footwear not too way back,” Hayes mentioned. “They’re asking me questions, however on the similar time, I am nonetheless studying as I’m going. It is solely my fourth or fifth yr. In a way, I am one of many older guys now, so I simply need to give them as a lot information as I do know and I will assist them with.”
Hayes’ institutional information of the group — he was Pittsburgh’s first-round decide within the 2015 Draft and debuted with the membership in September 2020 — is proving to be a useful device. Amongst present Pirates, solely McCutchen, Bryan Reynolds and Mitch Keller have spent extra time in a Pittsburgh uniform than Hayes.
“I have been right here my complete profession, so numerous these guys that got here up, they’ve all recognized me for 3 and 4 years. That helps rather a lot,” Hayes mentioned. “I am not the loudest particular person within the room, however I’ve at all times been a tough employee, at the least in my eyes. I attempt to play the precise means and go about my work day the precise means with objective.”
That method was cemented by veterans, together with Josh Bell, Adam Frazier, Starling Marte and Jameson Taillon, who helped present Hayes the ropes when he arrived within the Majors not too way back. In his try and pay it ahead, Hayes makes a degree to fulfill each new participant within the clubhouse as rapidly as potential, attempting to make them really feel relaxed instantly.
“I feel that is the most important factor for youthful guys — for them to have the ability to see guys go about their day and simply see how they prep earlier than they exit and whereas they’re on the market,” Hayes mentioned. “Have an intent with every part that you simply’re doing, whether or not or not it’s taking part in catch or operating the bases, as a result of all the great groups, all the great gamers, that’s how they play. I’m attempting to guide by instance.”
McCutchen continues to be a frontrunner within the clubhouse, however for youthful gamers reminiscent of Nick Gonzales and Liover Peguero — who each performed with Hayes on the membership’s alternate web site throughout the 2020 season — there’s a consolation issue with Hayes that may be impactful.
“The player-coach connection is absolutely good, however a player-player, typically it hits a little bit totally different,” Gonzales mentioned. “With Ke’Bryan, who’s on the youthful aspect and has nonetheless been taking part in for some time and been a very good participant within the large leagues, it is good to ask him about a few of his experiences. Cutch is a superb function mannequin, however having a man who’s a little bit youthful can be good to have. They do such a terrific job of constructing certain that we all know that they are right here for us and we are able to ask them something.”
Supervisor Derek Shelton lauded Hayes for his constant mindset and work ethic, noting that even on his days off, he’s out taking floor balls.
“Leaders do not need to be folks which are outward on a regular basis; we have seen a number of the finest leaders within the recreation be guys who lead by instance,” Shelton mentioned. “Everyone does it in their very own means. If individuals are going to comply with him due to the best way he works, then I feel we’re in a reasonably great place.”
