6. Kevin Newman, SS
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 8/4/1993 (24)
2017 teams/levels played for: AA Altoona Curve, AAA Indianapolis Indians
2017 Stats: .267/.311/.363, 552 PA, 4 HR, 11 SB, 29/62 BB/K
Info: Newman had a high-level reputation for contact when he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates out of the University of Arizona. He continued hitting once he got into pro ball, leading to very high rankings around the game, projecting other skills to catch up to his contact skills.
The issue is, they simply haven’t. Newman has below-average power in his swing, able to make plenty of contact, but frequently not getting the best bat on the ball. He tallies plenty of extra base hits due to his above-average speed.
Newman is an average defender with good hands that uses his baseball IQ to avoid making mistakes at the position but isn’t going to ever show anything above-average at the position. While Newman is going to AAA, he may find himself slipping on the Pittsburgh Pirates organizational charts at shortstop by the end of the season, though he’s likely going to be a quality average regular or above-average utility infielder as a major leaguer.
5. Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 1/28/1997 (21)
2017 teams/levels played for: high-A Bradenton Marauders
2017 Stats: .278/.345/.363, 482 PA, 2 HR, 27 SB, 41/76 BB/K
Info: Many knew Hayes due to his father, Charlie Hayes, who played over a decade in the major leagues. Coming out of high school in Texas in 2015, the Pittsburgh Pirates made him the 32nd overall selection in the draft.
Ke’Bryan (is) certain plus defender at third with a plus arm
Hayes’ father was well-known because of his defense at the hot corner. Ke’Bryan definitely follows in that line, a certain plus defender at third with a plus arm and some of the best instincts at the position in the game.
Offensively, he has some developing still to do, but the gap power continued to build in 2017 as he worked himself into better shape and his base running was much better in 2017. Hayes’ instincts and high baseball IQ allows him to play up his above-average speed to very good results on the bases.
Hayes is still building strength, but his build is probably going to max him out at a guy who hits 15-20 home runs at his peak, but that could still be very valuable with his defensive upside. He should open 2018 at AA, and if Colin Moran struggles in 2018, it would not be surprising to see Hayes open 2019 as the Pittsburgh Pirates starting 3B.
Next: #3 and #4