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Maintaining patience: Reds enduring offensive Ke'Bryan Hayes issues originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes continues to test the patience of manager Terry Francona.
With one hit in his previous 13 at-bats and one extra-base hit since May 5, Hayes may be playing his way out of the Reds' everyday lineup. The seven-year major leaguer hit into two double plays from the ninth spot in the lineup Tuesday and sat out the start of Wednesday's series finale against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.
In 43 appearances this season, Hayes posted a career-low minus-0.2 WAR.
Reds' play-by-play announcer John Sadak sounded frustrated with Hayes' effort Tuesday.
"Another double play," Sadak said. "He has tied the team lead, that's now five giddy-ups for Hayes. He entered hitting .147. He's getting on base at a .200 rate. The numbers are what they are, man, you're 100 at-bats into the year."
Reds' Ke'Bryan Hayes fighting season-long skid
A 2025 trade deadline acquisition, Hayes has not shown his former Pittsburgh Pirates form. In six seasons with the Pirates, Hayes registered a combined 14.7 WAR. When the deal was finalized, he collected a 1.2 WAR. In 95 games with the Reds, he was a combined 0.1.
Reds color commentator and former Reds icon Barry Larkin spoke out, suggesting: 'I don't know if you can be a team like the Reds that have had the troubles they've had offensively and continue to run a guy out there that has not hit better than .130."
On Tuesday, Hayes stepped into the batter's box with runners on first and second and no outs. He grounded into a double play. The same result developed on his second plate appearance. During his third attempt, he stepped into a bases-loaded and no-outs situation. He grounded into a force play. His final at-bat resulted in a runner getting caught stealing a base after he missed a hit-and-run sign. He then popped out.
That kind of performance would test the patience of any manager, especially one who oversees the No. 27-ranked team batting average (.226).
Hayes took a seat Wednesday slashing .142/.195/.225.
Will Reds rookie Sal Stewart see more time at third base over the coming weeks?
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