One of the most promising talents in the Pittsburgh Pirates' farm system is finally on the way to the major leagues.
Per Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the team is set to promote third base prospect Ke'Bryan Hayes prior to Tuesday evening's matchup with the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park.
Hayes, 23, was selected by the Pirates in the first round (32nd overall) of the 2015 MLB Draft. Throughout his minor-league career, Hayes hit .279 with 25 home runs and 202 runs batted in.
In 2019, Hayes hit .265 with 10 home runs and 53 runs batted in for the Indianapolis Indians (AAA). Hayes was a popular choice to be a September callup following the Indians' 66-74 record and failure to reach the International League playoffs, but was ultimately never called up.
Hayes, the Pirates' #2 prospect and #41 overall prospect (per MLB.com), entered the 2020 season with his sights sent on finally reaching the big leagues, and his spring training definitely did not hamper that vision. Hayes hit .280 (7 hits/25 at-bats) with a home run and five walks prior to Major League Baseball shutting down on March 12 to the coronavirus pandemic.
When the Pirates released their initial 60-man player pool roster in late June, Hayes was on it, but has since been training at the team's alternate site in Altoona due to the corresponding cancellation of the 2020 Minor League Baseball season.
Upon making his major-league debut, Hayes will be the sixth Pirates player to make their debut in 2020, joining pitcher JT Brubaker (July 26), pitcher Cody Ponce (August 2), pitcher Nick Mears (August 8), pitcher Brandon Waddell (August 14) and infielder Will Craig (August 27).
The young Pirates only have one active member of their roster over age 30 (pitcher Derek Holland - age 33). The team did not trade any members of the roster at Monday's MLB Trade Deadline.
Seeking to earn a series split with the Milwaukee Brewers, the Pirates (10-21) are moments away from beginning the final game of a four-game series at Miller Park.
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