The Pittsburgh Pirates today signed third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes to an eight-year contract extension through the 2029 season with a club option for the 2030 season.
The 25-year-old Hayes is regarded as one of the premier defenders in all of Major League Baseball after being named the Fielding Bible Award winner at third base in 2021 after his 16 Defensive Runs Saved ranked first among all third basemen and tied for seventh among all players in Major League Baseball according to the Fielding Bible.
“Ke’Bryan is the type of core player who is a winner on the field, a leader in the clubhouse and engaged in our community. He is the type of player who makes a true difference in the direction of our organization,” said Pirates Chairman Bob Nutting. “Today isn’t about a contract, its length, or the terms. Today is about our firm belief in Ke’Bryan as a player and person, and our organization putting a stake in the ground moving forward.”
Hayes was selected 32nd overall in the supplemental first round of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft by the Pirates. Between 2017-19, he took home three straight Rawlings Minor League Gold Glove Awards to become just the second minor leaguer ever to win three consecutive Gold Glove Awards.
Hayes made his Major League debut on September 1, 2020, and took home National League Rookieof-the-Month honors after hitting .376 with seven doubles, two triples, five homers and 11 RBI in 24 games. He also finished sixth in voting for National League Rookie-of-the-Year honors while hitting safely in 20 of his 24 games overall in 2020.
“It’s been my privilege to get to know Ke’Bryan over the last two-and-a-half years. I’ve been struck not only by Ke’Bryan’s supreme talent, but by his love and passion for the game, his care for his teammates and family, and his desire to win – in Pittsburgh,” said Pirates General Manager Ben Cherington. “This contract is an important step toward our shared goal of winning. I’m grateful that we will get to see Ke wearing black and gold for a long time.”
