Ke'Bryan Hayes was an early pick to win the Rookie of the Year thanks to his September call up last year when he won Rookie of the Month. Despite only 95 at bats last year he still came in 6th place for Rookie of Year voting due to his 1.124 OPS and 199 OPS+ (nearly twice as good as average player).
He started off the 2021 season the same way he finished up the 2020 season, by blasting a HR in his first at bat.
Card prices soared!!! And his base Bowman Chrome Auto (of which I have 4) climbed up to $600 each during Opening Day. The following day, he injured his hand and was put on the IL for an extended stay of a few months.
He is still having a productive season while not looking like Mike Schmidt at his prime.
While providing Gold Glove level defense, he has also privided the Pirates with a glimpse into the future with his bat.
In only 73 games played (due to the COVID shortened season and a hand injury this season) he has amassed 3.3 WAR.
Over a full season, he could provide up to 7 WAR which would put him into some elite company at the hot corner. Here are a list of players to get to 7+ WAR in a season over the past 5 years
Kris Bryant 2016 MVP season
Josh Donaldson 2016 (4th place MVP)
Nolan Arenado 2019 (6th place MVP)
Matt Chapman 2018 & 2019 seasons (finished top 7 MVP both years)
Manny Machado 2016 (5th place MVP)
If Ke'Bryan Hayes can get healthy and consistently repeat his September 2020 month, he may become the next Pittsburgh Pirate to gain MVP votes, something the Pirates haven't had since Andrew McCutchen.
These inserts can fall 1 per set ($149.99 MSRP per set) and include pairings with names like
Jo Adell & Mike Trout
Ryan Mountcastle & Eddie Murray
Joey Bart & Buster Posey
Tristan McKenzie & CC Sabathia
Dylan Carlson & Albert Pujols
Bobby Dalbec & Nomar Garciapara
Casey Mize & Justin Verlander
Christian Pache & Ronald Acuna
Alec Bohm & Mike Schmidt
There are color parallels to chase as well. The red is /10 and the gold is a 1/1.
Which rookies have you enjoyed the most this year?
Wow, I didn't realize he had an over 3 WAR. Impressive.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely Akil Baddoo of my Tigers, alonwith teammates Eric Haase and Casey Mize.
ReplyDeleteThe Mets haven't used rookies much this season, but the recent emergence of Tylor Megill has been a huge lifesaver for us.
ReplyDeleteI've followed Kim and Baddoo this season... as well as Michael Kopech. Can't really say I'm tracking any of these guys in depth... but I check on their numbers from time to time.
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