Breakout candidate: Ke’Bryan Hayes

You might be wondering: Didn’t Hayes break out last season?

After all, he slashed .376/.442/.682 and established himself as a wizard with the glove at third base. But he played in only 24 games, with 95 plate appearances. The expectations on Hayes (in his case, they are more than hopes) are high because of the skills he displayed in September. A full season of opportunities lies ahead.

The pressure’s on

Probably no position in the Pirates’ system is as deep as shortstop.

Kevin Newman and Erik Gonzalez will man the position to start the season, with each capable of replacing the other if one falters. Young shortstops Oneil Cruz, Liover Peguero and Ji-Hwan Bae are among the team’s top 10 prospects but are a year or two from impacting the major league roster. And we can’t count out Cole Tucker’s glove and athleticism. With all that competition, none of the six players can afford to relax.

By the numbers

.714 — Newman’s spring batting average. He recorded 20 hits (14 singles, six doubles, no home runs, no strikeouts) in his first 28 spring training at-bats.

.978 — The Pirates’ fielding percentage in 2020 (29th in MLB, last in the National League).

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