Star prospect Ke’Bryan Hayes He has not participated in the Pirates’ camp, and manager Derek Shelton revealed today (with Hayes’s permission) that the 23-year-old tested positive for the coronavirus. Shelton told Adam Berry and other MLB.com reporters that Hayes was still in quarantine, though he gave no clue as to when he might be ready to participate. Since Hayes never made it to camp, it can be assumed that he tested positive during the initial round of admissions tests.
Hayes is viewed as Pittsburgh’s highest-ranking player prospect and one of the most intriguing minor league players in the sport, ranking high on the Top 100 prospect charts. Before the 2020 season, Fangraphs was Hayes ‘most optimistic with a # 30 rating, while Baseball Prospectus’ 63rd place ranking was the lowest of third base. Selected at No. 32 overall in the 2015 draft, Hayes has already drawn praise for his fielding ability at third base, while his bat was promising (.279 / .354 / .399 on plate appearances). minor league from 1991) but it was still something of a work in progress.
Hayes was seen as a lock to debut sometime in 2020, and presumably he could still be online for some game time at the MLB level if he recovers relatively soon. However, depending on how long Hayes is away and how long it would take him to prepare in a training camp setting, the Pirates may decide to delay the start of their service clock until the 2021 season. Beyond contract control logistics, The Bucs also naturally want to be as safe as possible with their young star, and to lead him in a way that does not impede his development.
