Key move: Pirates expected to call up top prospect in 3B Ke'Bryan Hayes 'soon'

The Pittsburgh Pirates didn’t make any deals by Monday’s MLB trade deadline, but they will be adding a top prospect as third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes is expected to be recalled Tuesday from the alternate training site in Altoona.

“We expect to see ‘Key’ soon in Pittsburgh,” Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said of Hayes.

Regarded as the organization’s top position prospect, Hayes could make his major-league debut this week when the Pirates return to PNC Park on Tuesday for a nine-game homestand against the Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox.

“I think it’s important that we continue to get better at the major league level, individually and as a team. Part of getting better, certainly, will be giving players, younger players, players who have a chance to be here for a long time opportunity,” Cherington said. “It’s still a meritocracy. There’s still got to be competition. You’re not just handed playing time. You need to invest in that. So we’ll see where that takes us.”

That boy done made “The Show” years of hard work and sacrifice has finally paid off young Hayes. Congrats and we are all proud of you Brodie ???????? @KeBryanHayes #mlb #rookieoftheyear #theshow #Pittsburghpirates

— Charles Hayes Jr. (@_RichBlackman) August 31, 2020

Hayes, the son of former Pirate Charlie Hayes, was 2015 first-round pick (No. 32 overall) and is considered a Gold Glove-caliber defender with power potential at the plate. He slashed .265/.336/.415 with 30 doubles, two triples, 10 home runs and 53 RBIs in 110 games at Triple-A Indianapolis last season, and hit .280 with a double and a homer in 13 spring training games.

“There’s a lot to like about Ke’Bryan,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “No. 1, his heartbeat’s good. I think he likes the lights, and what I mean by that is he likes to play in big atmospheres. His ability to play third base came as advertised, if not better. What really stood out to me was the aggressiveness of the swings, and it’s something that I think he took to working with Rick (Eckstein) during spring training, and we saw it in spring training games. So those were the things that stood out.”

The Pirates are thin at third base, a position where five different players have started. Phillip Evans was lost to season-ending surgery for a fractured jaw from a collision with Gregory Polanco. Colin Moran was recalled Monday from the seven-day concussion injured list after a collision with Avisail Garcia of the Milwaukee Brewers. Both injuries occurred while Evans and Moran were playing first base.

Shortstops Erik Gonzalez (10 starts) and JT Riddle (seven) have been sharing duties at third base, while Moran has been used mostly at first base and designated hitter. Jose Osuna got the start on Monday at Milwaukee.

“It’s going to definitely impact it when he gets here,” Shelton said, “and it’s something that we’ll just have to work through on a daily basis.”