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2023 Player Outlook

Just because Hayes didn't hit for a ton of power in 2022, doesn't mean that his season was a disappointment. He hit .244 with an 88 wRC+, and across 136 games as a 25-year-old with only 120 games played prior to 2022, he still managed to go 20-for-25 on stolen base attempts and score 55 runs. Yes, he only had seven home runs, but he hit 24 doubles, and three triples, and when you post 84th percentile or better hard-hit rate, average exit velocity, and max exit velocity, there's a lot of optimism for his power numbers in 2023. He'll need to hit fewer ground balls to do so, but if he learns to launch and elevate the baseball, there's enough thump in that bat to be a perennial 18-20 home run guy. With an improved supporting cast from last year, Hayes is a third baseman worth betting on in fantasy formats, as there's optimism for increased power, and he provides plus speed for the position.