BRADENTON, Fla. — For a Pirates workforce anchored by a 37-year-old former Nationwide League Most Priceless Participant in Andrew McCutchen, a participant 10 years his junior is rising as an necessary chief.
As he prepares to start solely his fourth full season within the Majors, Ke’Bryan Hayes has grow to be a supply of data for most of the membership’s youthful gamers, a few of whom known 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 identical time, I am nonetheless studying as I am 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 data as I do know and I can assist them with.”
Hayes’ institutional data 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 a whole lot of these guys that got here up, they’ve all identified me for 3 and 4 years. That helps quite a bit,” Hayes mentioned. “I am not the loudest individual within the room, however I’ve at all times been a tough employee, a minimum of in my eyes. I attempt to play the proper manner and go about my work day the proper manner with function.”
That strategy 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 satisfy each new participant within the clubhouse as rapidly as potential, making an attempt to make them really feel comfortable instantly.
“I feel that is the largest 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 little thing that you simply’re doing, whether or not it’s taking part in catch or working the bases, as a result of all the great groups, all the great gamers, that’s how they play. I’m making an attempt to steer 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 website through the 2020 season — there’s a consolation issue with Hayes that may be impactful.
“The player-coach connection is admittedly good, however a player-player, typically it hits just a little completely different,” Gonzales mentioned. “With Ke’Bryan, who’s on the youthful aspect and has nonetheless been taking part in for some time and been an excellent participant within the massive leagues, it is good to ask him about a few of his experiences. Cutch is a good function mannequin, however having a man who’s just a little youthful can also be good to have. They do such an ideal job of creating positive 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 individuals which might be outward on a regular basis; we have seen among the finest leaders within the recreation be guys who lead by instance,” Shelton mentioned. “All people does it in their very own manner. If individuals are going to observe him due to the best way he works, then I feel we’re in a reasonably great place.”