Headlines

  • Astros Re-Sign Michael Brantley
  • Latest On Universal DH, Expanded Playoffs
  • Yankees Trade Adam Ottavino To Red Sox
  • Yankees Acquire Jameson Taillon
  • Nationals To Sign Brad Hand
  • Astros Sign Jason Castro
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Indians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • Last 100 Comments
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Ke’Bryan Hayes Tests Positive For COVID-19

By Mark Polishuk | July 19, 2020 at 10:52pm CDT

Star prospect Ke’Bryan Hayes hasn’t participated in the Pirates’ camp, and manager Derek Shelton revealed today (with Hayes’ permission) that the 23-year-old has tested positive for the coronavirus.  Shelton told MLB.com’s Adam Berry and other reporters that Hayes was still in quarantine, though gave no hint as to when Hayes could be ready to participate.  Since Hayes never arrived at camp, it can be assumed that he tested positive during the initial round of intake tests.

Hayes is seen as both Pittsburgh’s top position player prospect and one of the more intriguing minor leaguers in the sport, featuring highly on top-100 prospect lists.  Prior to the 2020 season, Fangraphs was the most bullish on Hayes with a #30 ranking, while Baseball Prospectus’ 63rd-place ranking was the third baseman’s lowest showing.  Picked 32nd overall in the 2015 draft, Hayes has already drawn raves for his fielding ability at third base, while his bat has shown promise (.279/.354/.399 over 1991 minor league plate appearances) but was still something of a work in progress.

Hayes was seen as a lock to debut sometime in 2020, and presumably could still be in line for some playing time at the MLB level should he recover relatively soon.  Depending on how long Hayes is out and how long it would take him to prepare in a training camp scenario, however, the Pirates could decide to hold off on starting his service time clock until the 2021 season.  Beyond the contractual control logistics, the Bucs also naturally want to be as safe as possible with their star youngster, and bring him along in a way that doesn’t impede his development.

Share 0 Retweet 11 Send via email0

Coronavirus Derek Shelton Ke'Bryan Hayes Pittsburgh Pirates

New York Notes: DeGrom, Tanaka, Hicks, Cessa, Gsellman
Main
Latest On Astros’ Pitching Staff
26 comments
newest oldest

Comments

  1. forwhomjoshbelltolls

    6 months ago

    In a different world, he’d ideally go back to minors to hit with some more consistency, but…there are no minors.

    Like
    Reply
    • Briffle

      6 months ago

      I know there’s not any age limits on prospects, but this dude is already 23. Is he still going to be kicking around in the minors as a prospect at 25 like Christian Arroyo?

      3 Like
      Reply
      • forwhomjoshbelltolls

        6 months ago

        The Pirates over bake their prospects so that more of their peak/prime years are in the six year window of control.

        1 Like
        Reply
      • blackandyellow3

        6 months ago

        Agreed, drafted in 15, how they going to wait? Geez. Freaking 24-25 years old b4 he gets to the bigs? Ridiculous

        Like
        Reply
      • mlb1225

        6 months ago

        He’ll likely sit out the first week and then be called back up. If this was a normal 2020 and things got off as planned, he likely would have been the Pirates’ starting third baseman by now.

        Like
        Reply
      • Prospectnvstr

        6 months ago

        Hey Briffle: Did you realize that MOST of the TOP PITCHING prospects taken in 2018 from college are either 23 or will be 23 this year? Casey Mize, for example turned 23 on May 1st.

        Like
        Reply
        • Briffle

          6 months ago

          Hey Prospectnbstr: Did you realize that Hayes was drafted three years before Mize and everyone else in the 2018 draft, which means he has three more years of professional experience then all of them? The guy has been in the minors for five years, it’s not the same as other 23 year olds who got drafted two years ago.

          Why does that even need to be explained to you?

          Like
          Reply
    • afsooner02

      6 months ago

      Pirates aren’t going anywhere anyways in 2020. Don’t waste service time on this year.

      Like
      Reply
  2. Big Hurt

    6 months ago

    I am definitely missing something on this guy. 23 year-old defense first guys aren’t usually this highly touted. He simply hasn’t shown the ability to hit that others in the top 100 have. I am sure he’s a great athlete and probably has some bat speed, but at some point you have to show flashes of being able to hit. What am i missing?

    Like
    Reply
    • ars1402

      6 months ago

      You are spot on. If he was hitting he would have been up last season by the all star break.

      Like
      Reply
    • PghPinstripes

      6 months ago

      Pedigree?

      Like
      Reply
  3. Technically correct

    6 months ago

    I thought everyone knew that Pirates prefer to bury their treasure…

    Also, @forwhomjoshbelltolls already pointed out why. Get as many of the prime years before they have to pay/trade away because they won’t pay. Not too complicated.

    Like
    Reply
    • Briffle

      6 months ago

      So the guy should sit in the minors the next four years until he’s 27 when maybe the Pirates are back to being competitive?

      Like
      Reply
      • Technically correct

        6 months ago

        It’s just statistics. Players are usually best from mid to late 20’s. Pirates are happy to sacrifice some of the early breakout potential, like Juan Soto had for Nats, in order to have the more consistently productive years guaranteed under their control. Over 30 is damaged goods for some organizations too, so partiality increases odds to resign if he’s good (or good enough). The COVID diagnosis makes it easier to justify manipulating the service time in order to get the extra year in case they are good, or better quality trade assets in return. I still think he’ll Boras his way to the Yankees in 2025 and be fine. Seemed like a hint of cynicism in your comment though, so I’m guessing you already know all of this.

        Like
        Reply
    • DarkSide830

      6 months ago

      I dont think Bell was throwing his support behind the idea. he was just saying that’s what they do. Hayes is clearly almost ready. he should probably be up once he is healthy

      Like
      Reply
  4. Buccrazy

    6 months ago

    This obviously is not the typical year. One lucky stretch is all it takes. It would be nice to see him in camp and virus free. Every team has at least a punchers chance over 60 games, even this one.

    Like
    Reply
    • DarkSide830

      6 months ago

      no. no they don’t.

      Like
      Reply
      • Steve Nebraska

        6 months ago

        Yea they do. Not every team has a good chance, but bad teams have a much higher chance of sustaining success over 2 months than 6. Any team can go 35-25 and luck into the playoffs.

        Like
        Reply
      • mlb1225

        6 months ago

        Hey, the Brewers made it with a .549 winning % last year. In a season like this, that’s the equivilant of a 33/27 season. A 5 game winning streak this year is the equivilant of a 13 or 14 game winning streak in a 162 game season. Going 15-5 over a 20 game stretch is like going 40/13 through the regular 162 games.

        I’m not predicting that the Pirates are going to make the playoffs, nor am I holding my breath on it. But they were 28-28 at the end of May last season, and that was after an 8 game losing streak. One hot streak by any team, good or bad, could slingshot them into the playoffs.

        Like
        Reply
        • Cey Hey

          6 months ago

          A 12-6 start followed by .500 ball the rest of the way is 33-27. Certainly do-able. Getting out of the gate quick is everything in a season such as this one..

          Like
          Reply
  5. mike156

    6 months ago

    We are going to see a lot of complaints about service time considerations, and 2020 is going to be a flashpoint between owners and players for some time. In a short season, a non-contending team will value control over everything else. Even contending teams will have to take a hard look at time pro-rations before bringing up a prospect. Hundreds of millions of dollars are at stake, and the teams have the hammer.

    Like
    Reply
  6. Cey Hey

    6 months ago

    A smart organization values player development over controlling a player’s service time. Right, P{irates?

    Like
    Reply
  7. Peart of the game

    6 months ago

    Well, he would’ve likely been up by now if he could tap into his power more frequently.

    Like
    Reply
    • mlb1225

      6 months ago

      He’s got some notable raw power potential. Has a 92 MPH exit velo last year.

      Like
      Reply
  8. Prospectnvstr

    6 months ago

    Hey Briffle: Did you realize that MOST of the TOP PITCHING prospects taken in 2018 from college are either 23 or will be 23 this year? Casey Mize, for example turned 23 on May 1st.

    Like
    Reply
    • Briffle

      6 months ago

      Hey Prospectnbstr: Did you realize that Hayes was drafted three years before Mize and everyone else in the 2018 draft, which means he has three more years of professional experience then all of them? The guy has been in the minors for five years, it’s not the same as other 23 year olds who got drafted two years ago.

      Why does that even need to be explained to you?

      Like
      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Astros Re-Sign Michael Brantley

    Latest On Universal DH, Expanded Playoffs

    Yankees Trade Adam Ottavino To Red Sox

    Yankees Acquire Jameson Taillon

    Nationals To Sign Brad Hand

    Astros Sign Jason Castro

    Red Sox To Sign Garrett Richards

    Blue Jays Sign George Springer

    Nationals Re-Sign Ryan Zimmerman

    Red Sox, Enrique Hernandez Agree To Deal

    Recent

    Masahiro Tanaka In Negotiations To Return To Rakuten Eagles

    Quick Hits: Dodgers, Blue Jays, Turner, Nationals, MASN, Mets, Minaya

    Minor MLB Transactions: 1/25/21

    Shortstop Notes: Simmons, Story, Polanco

    Astros Re-Sign Michael Brantley

    Red Sox Notes: Ottavino, Luxury Tax, Bradley Jr.

    Cactus League Informs MLB Of Desire To Delay Start Of Spring Training

    Pirates Sign Joe Hudson To Minor League Deal

    Latest On Universal DH, Expanded Playoffs

    Yankees Trade Adam Ottavino To Red Sox

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Trevor Bauer Rumors
    • Kris Bryant Rumors
    • J.T. Realmuto Rumors
    • Marcell Ozuna Rumors
    • Masahiro Tanaka Rumors
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Indians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version