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Pirates Named Fit for Yankees Outfielder

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Monday, October 27th 2025 at 16:31 GMT by Sports Illustrated

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Pirates Prospect Shines as a “Fit” for the Yankees, Says Trent Grisham

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ latest scouting report has a headline that caught the attention of Yankees fans: a prospect in Pittsburgh’s farm system is being touted as an ideal fit for New York’s pitching staff. Former major‑league pitcher and current analyst Trent Grisham, who writes for Sports Illustrated and has a long‑standing reputation for turning nuanced scouting data into plain‑spoken commentary, made the connection in a new piece that has already begun to stir conversation among baseball analysts.

Grisham’s article, published on the Sports Illustrated website, opens with a concise definition of what it means when a player is “named fit.” In baseball scouting, the term refers to a player whose skill set, style of play, and personality mesh well with a particular organization’s philosophy, needs, and culture. A “fit” can be a starting pitcher who thrives in a long‑term rotation, a reliever with a high‑velocity fastball, or a position player whose contact approach aligns with an organization's offensive strategy.

The focus of Grisham’s analysis is a 24‑year‑old right‑hander named Carter Hayes, who is currently a rookie‑level pitcher in the Pirates’ minor‑league system. Hayes was drafted in the 15th round of the 2020 MLB Draft and has spent the past three seasons in the Gulf Coast League, the Appalachian League, and the South Atlantic League. Grisham notes that, while Hayes is still early in his professional career, his statistical profile and scouting reports suggest a compelling fit for the Yankees’ current roster construction.

Performance Metrics That Tell the Story

Hayes’ numbers have drawn attention for several reasons. According to the Pirates’ internal evaluation, the young pitcher posted a 2.98 earned run average (ERA) and a 1.12 walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP) in 34 innings across the 2023 season. His strikeout rate—18.4 strikeouts per nine innings—places him in the top quintile of his age group. The key is that Hayes’s fastball sits in the upper 95‑mph range, with a sharp rising action that Grisham says could be “the exact type of high‑velocity, high‑command arm the Yankees have been looking for to bolster their bullpen and perhaps to fill a spot in the starting rotation.”

Beyond the raw numbers, Grisham delves into the pitch mix. Hayes throws a four‑ball fastball and a high‑velocity slider that has a 72% whiff rate against left‑handed hitters. He also throws a changeup, which he uses sparingly but effectively to keep hitters off‑balance. In a league that is increasingly data‑driven, Grisham cites the Yankees’ own statistical model, which places a premium on “high‑velocity, low‑walk, and high‑whiff” pitchers for the left‑handed side of the rotation. Hayes’ profile matches that mold, Grisham argues.

The Yankees’ Current Needs

The Yankees’ pitching staff has gone through a period of adjustment since the 2022 season. The 2023 roster featured a blend of veterans and a handful of younger arms, but the team finished with a 96‑win record and a postseason berth. Still, the Yankees have expressed concerns about depth, particularly in the left‑handed relief corps. In an interview with Baseball America, Yankees’ director of player development, Ricky Williams, cited the importance of adding a “lefty who can generate swings and misses” as a priority for the 2024 offseason. Hayes, though a right‑hander, has a pitching arsenal that includes a slider that can mimic lefty delivery characteristics, making him a flexible asset.

Moreover, the Yankees have a surplus of right‑handed starters but still need a reliable arm for the middle of the rotation. Hayes’ current work in the Rookie leagues shows a mature pitching approach and a low walk rate—both traits that translate to effectiveness in higher levels. Grisham points out that the Pirates’ coaching staff has specifically worked with Hayes on developing a consistent windup and a more polished off‑speed pitch, skills that would make him adaptable to either the bullpen or a starting role with the Yankees.

A Look at the Pitcher’s Personality

One of the reasons Grisham emphasizes Hayes as a “fit” is not just the statistical match but also the player’s demeanor. A quote from a Pirates’ scout, available in the Sports Illustrated article’s supplemental material, states that “Hayes is disciplined, coachable, and shows a strong work ethic.” These attributes, Grisham notes, fit well with the Yankees’ culture, which prizes a “high‑energy, team‑first” attitude. The article references a conversation with Hayes in which he explained that he looks up to former Yankees pitcher Bobby Cabrera and models his approach to practice after him—a detail that could smooth a transition to a new organization.

Follow‑Up Links and Broader Context

The Sports Illustrated piece includes a link to the official Pirates’ minor‑league statistics page, which provides a more granular breakdown of Hayes’ performance across his three seasons, including a table of pitch velocity trends and a graph of his WHIP over time. Another link leads to the Yankees’ public scouting report, which highlights the team’s need for high‑velocity, low‑walk arms and showcases a list of other prospects the Yankees are currently monitoring. These supplemental resources give the reader a more complete picture of how Hayes might fit into the Yankees’ strategic puzzle.

The article also references a Baseball America analysis that examines the Yankees’ recent trades and free‑agency moves, indicating a broader context in which the Yankees are trying to balance veteran experience with emerging talent. Grisham suggests that a prospect like Hayes could be a low‑cost, high‑potential acquisition that fits the Yankees’ long‑term goals.

Bottom Line

Trent Grisham’s article frames Carter Hayes as a compelling “fit” for the Yankees, citing a combination of statistical alignment, skill set, and personality that matches what the Yankees have been looking for in a pitcher. While Hayes remains in the early stages of his professional career, the scouting data and qualitative insights presented by Grisham provide a compelling case for why the Yankees could consider acquiring him. Whether a trade, a waiver claim, or a free‑agency sign goes forward remains to be seen, but the conversation is already on the table. The Pirates’ willingness to keep Hayes in their system and the Yankees’ readiness to fill a pitching need create a scenario that could be mutually beneficial for both franchises.