Rank History
| Year | Team | Position | Team Rank | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | PIT | 3B | 1 | 55 |
Grades Update: Jan 2021
| OFP | Role | Hit | Power | Field | Arm | Run |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 | 60 | 60 | 50 | 70 | 60 | 55 |
Jan 2021 Report
Evaluator: Jason Kamlowsky
Age: 24 yr
Height: 5-10
Weight: 205 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2015 Round 1
RuleV: On 40-Man Roster
Physical Description: Athletic build with room for projection. Will gain more strength with maturity. May need to monitor his weight as he ages, though his body has developed well since being drafted. High character, son of former major leaguer Charlie Hayes.
Hit: Compact swing that allows him to make consistent hard contact. Uses the whole field and gets hands to the hitting zone with ease. Hands start by his shoulder with a little pre-pitch wiggle. Slightly open stance with a moderate front leg kick that is used as a trigger. Uses his lower-half and gets hips through the zone well. Aggressive approach but above average knowledge of the strike zone that should not hinder his ability to get on base. Does have a tendency to lunge after off-speed pitches. Pitch recognition will have to improve to unlock the ceiling but the potential to be a middle-of-the-order threat is here. Grade: 60
Power: Average to above average raw power at present with projection for more. Will consistently barrel up balls and create hard contact. 2020 power surge was a nice surprise. Has gained strength for power but approach is a work in progress. Aggressiveness suppresses power at times leading to more doubles and less home runs. Good gap power but needs to lift the ball more. Did show the ability to lift balls up in the zone. Potential is there to eventually hit 30 home runs. Will need to fill out physically to reach peak power profile. Don't be surprised to see disappointing home run numbers in 2021. Grade: 50
Field: One of the best defenders among all infield prospects. Read angles off the bat even on balls that are scorched. Quick first step. Hands are quiet and smooth, will rarely misplay even the hardest hit balls. Moves well laterally and his athletic frame will allow him to stick at third base. Has potential to be a Gold Glove third baseman. Grade: 70
Arm: Plus arm. Can make accurate throws across the diamond with ease. Even on balls to his glove side he has plenty of velocity to first base. Grade: 60
Run: Above average runner, enough to keep defenses honest. Straight line speed is well above average and he can go 1st to 3rd on most singles. Could steal 10-15 bases early in his career but will likely settle in closer to 8-10 per year. Grade: 55
Overall: Hayes made a splash at the big-league level in 2020 slugging five home runs and hitting .376 in just 95 plate appearances. Will be a defensive stalwart and should be one of the top hitters in Pittsburgh for years to come. His work ethic, athleticism, and pedigree are coming together and making him one of the game's fastest rising prospects. One of the hardest workers in the Pirates' organization, Hayes has the makeup of a potential 15-year veteran who could win multiple Gold Gloves and be a potential All-Star.
OFP: 55
Role: 60 - Above-Average Everyday Regular: Occasional All-Star
Risk: Low
