S. Samek

The Pittsburgh Pirates named their minor league player and pitcher of the year recently. Ke’Byran Hayes won player of the year while J.T Brubaker won pitcher of the year.

Hayes is the number two prospect on the Pirates top 30 list. He hit .293 with seven home runs and 47 RBI in 117 games at double -a Altoona this season. This was a career high in games played for Hayes, who has been injured quite a bit the past couple seasons. The homer and rbi numbers are also career highs. Hayes is also playing strong defense. He made just six errors and had a .978 fielding percentage.

This mark was the best in the minors for all third basemen. These numbers are encouraging too see. I think Hayes will go back to Altoona at least to start the season. This isn’t a bad thing as he is only 21, but I’m not sure if he needs to be rushed up the system quite yet.

Brubaker went 10-6 with a 2.81 era and 131 strikeouts this season. This was over 28 starts and 154 innings at double a and triple a. This is a good season for a player that most seem to overlook. He isn’t ranked in the top 30 Pirates prospect list. Yet it doesn’t mean he can’t pitch and this season proved it. I think Brubaker gets sent back to triple a. I could maybe see him as a mid-season, or at worst September call up if he continues these numbers. He did manage career bests for starts, wins, seasonal era, and strikeouts.

So, don’t sleep on Brubaker in 2019. Congrats to Hayes and Brubaker on great seasons. Should be proud.