Position preview: Hayes' health to play crucial role
The offseason has been quiet for Ben Cherington and the Pirates' front office. They haven't done much to improve the roster besides a few additions via free agency and trades. So, as spring training approaches and the team heads to Bradenton, Fla, there are questions that need to be answered.
That being said, welcome to the fifth edition of our 2025 positional previews. I've already previewed catcher, first base, second base, and shortstop and will preview the outfield later today before finishing with the starting rotation and bullpen on Sunday and Monday, respectively. We'll look at what players are in the hunt for playing time, take a look back at what happened in 2024 and what the outlook is for 2025. Hope you enjoy it.
• Position: Third base
• Players: Ke'Bryan Hayes, Jared Triolo, Nick Yorke
• 2024 review: Coming off of his best offensive season as a major leaguer in which he set career highs in home runs (15), RBIs (61), doubles (31), triples (7), batting average (.271), slugging percentage (.453) and OPS (.762) along with winning a Gold Glove at third base, it seemed as though Ke'Bryan Hayes' career was trending upward. But, 2024 was another disappointing season for the 28-year-old who signed an eight-year, $70 million contract during the 2022 season.
In 96 games, Hayes hit .233/.283/.290 with a .573 OPS over 365 at-bats. That came with four home runs, 25 RBIs, 23 walks and 75 strikeouts. He played solid defensively, as he only committed five errors in 829 2/3 innings and recorded 10 defensive runs saved, which was tied for the second-highest mark among third basemen who played 800 innings or more. At this point in his career, Hayes is known for his defensive prowess but has been expected to improve at the plate and it hasn't happened.
A reoccurring back injury may have played a role in that. It started to affect him during the 2022 season, caused him to make two trips to the injured list during the 2023 season and flared up again last season. It sent him to the IL twice and his second trip, which began on Aug. 19, kept him out for the remainder of the season.
That paved the way for Jared Triolo and Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Triolo ate up a majority of the innings, playing 527 while committing just two errors and recording two defensive runs saved. He also tallied a .985 fielding percentage that helped him earn his first Gold Glove Award as a utility infielder.
Like Hayes, Triolo was more successful in the field than he was at the plate. He hit .216/.296/.315 in 125 games. He also tallied nine home runs, 46 RBIs and 118 strikeouts -- the fourth-highest total on the team.
Kiner-Falefa spelled Triolo at times late in the season after being acquired from the Blue Jays and played 64 innings at third.
• 2025 outlook: It could be an interesting season for the Pirates at the hot corner, but it starts with one question: Will Hayes be healthy enough to produce at the level that he's paid for?
Since signing his extension, Hayes hasn't quite lived up to expectations, and they were very high at one point. He's been a top-tier defender and after hitting for a decent average in the minors, his hitting tool was expected to translate to the majors at some point. But, that hasn't been the case.
Hayes' nagging back injury probably has played some type of role in his performance over the last few years as it's a big part of being able to swing a bat effectively. Hayes did say last season that he was trying a different rehab program than what he had done in past offseasons and it focuses more on reps and building up his core.
Hayes staying healthy would allow the Pirates to move Triolo around the infield and take advantage of his defensive versatility if it's needed at second or first base. But, an offensive improvement is what is needed in a lineup that, with its lack of power, needs to hit from top to bottom to perform efficiently.
Triolo is also a decent backup if he can improve his offensive approach. Hitting .216 throughout a season is something that can be detrimental to an offense that is already lacking. While his glove is a plus, his lack of offensive prowess could leave the door open for Nick Yorke.
Yorke was acquired from the Red Sox at the trade deadline and has upside. He's currently ranked as the Pirates' sixth-best prospect, according to Baseball America, and played second, third and both corner outfield positions during an 11-game stint at the end of last year. He hit .216/.286/.378 in 37 at-bats with two home runs, five RBIs, four walks and 12 strikeouts, but it was his first appearance in the majors.
There are still questions, but they could easily be answered in spring training by a clean bill of health and a rejuvenated offensive approach.
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THE ASYLUM
Greg Macafee
4:44 am - 02.08.2025DOWNTOWNPosition preview: Hayes' health to play crucial role
The offseason has been quiet for Ben Cherington and the Pirates' front office. They haven't done much to improve the roster besides a few additions via free agency and trades. So, as spring training approaches and the team heads to Bradenton, Fla, there are questions that need to be answered.
That being said, welcome to the fifth edition of our 2025 positional previews. I've already previewed catcher, first base, second base, and shortstop and will preview the outfield later today before finishing with the starting rotation and bullpen on Sunday and Monday, respectively. We'll look at what players are in the hunt for playing time, take a look back at what happened in 2024 and what the outlook is for 2025. Hope you enjoy it.
• Position: Third base
• Players: Ke'Bryan Hayes, Jared Triolo, Nick Yorke
• 2024 review: Coming off of his best offensive season as a major leaguer in which he set career highs in home runs (15), RBIs (61), doubles (31), triples (7), batting average (.271), slugging percentage (.453) and OPS (.762) along with winning a Gold Glove at third base, it seemed as though Ke'Bryan Hayes' career was trending upward. But, 2024 was another disappointing season for the 28-year-old who signed an eight-year, $70 million contract during the 2022 season.
In 96 games, Hayes hit .233/.283/.290 with a .573 OPS over 365 at-bats. That came with four home runs, 25 RBIs, 23 walks and 75 strikeouts. He played solid defensively, as he only committed five errors in 829 2/3 innings and recorded 10 defensive runs saved, which was tied for the second-highest mark among third basemen who played 800 innings or more. At this point in his career, Hayes is known for his defensive prowess but has been expected to improve at the plate and it hasn't happened.
A reoccurring back injury may have played a role in that. It started to affect him during the 2022 season, caused him to make two trips to the injured list during the 2023 season and flared up again last season. It sent him to the IL twice and his second trip, which began on Aug. 19, kept him out for the remainder of the season.
That paved the way for Jared Triolo and Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Triolo ate up a majority of the innings, playing 527 while committing just two errors and recording two defensive runs saved. He also tallied a .985 fielding percentage that helped him earn his first Gold Glove Award as a utility infielder.
Like Hayes, Triolo was more successful in the field than he was at the plate. He hit .216/.296/.315 in 125 games. He also tallied nine home runs, 46 RBIs and 118 strikeouts -- the fourth-highest total on the team.
Kiner-Falefa spelled Triolo at times late in the season after being acquired from the Blue Jays and played 64 innings at third.
• 2025 outlook: It could be an interesting season for the Pirates at the hot corner, but it starts with one question: Will Hayes be healthy enough to produce at the level that he's paid for?
Since signing his extension, Hayes hasn't quite lived up to expectations, and they were very high at one point. He's been a top-tier defender and after hitting for a decent average in the minors, his hitting tool was expected to translate to the majors at some point. But, that hasn't been the case.
Hayes' nagging back injury probably has played some type of role in his performance over the last few years as it's a big part of being able to swing a bat effectively. Hayes did say last season that he was trying a different rehab program than what he had done in past offseasons and it focuses more on reps and building up his core.
Hayes staying healthy would allow the Pirates to move Triolo around the infield and take advantage of his defensive versatility if it's needed at second or first base. But, an offensive improvement is what is needed in a lineup that, with its lack of power, needs to hit from top to bottom to perform efficiently.
Triolo is also a decent backup if he can improve his offensive approach. Hitting .216 throughout a season is something that can be detrimental to an offense that is already lacking. While his glove is a plus, his lack of offensive prowess could leave the door open for Nick Yorke.
Yorke was acquired from the Red Sox at the trade deadline and has upside. He's currently ranked as the Pirates' sixth-best prospect, according to Baseball America, and played second, third and both corner outfield positions during an 11-game stint at the end of last year. He hit .216/.286/.378 in 37 at-bats with two home runs, five RBIs, four walks and 12 strikeouts, but it was his first appearance in the majors.
There are still questions, but they could easily be answered in spring training by a clean bill of health and a rejuvenated offensive approach.
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
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