[4][5] Foregoing his college commitment, Hayes signed with Pittsburgh, and spent 2015 with both the Gulf Coast League Pirates and the West Virginia Black Bears, batting a combined .308, with 20 RBI, in 56 games.

[6] In 2016, Hayes spent the season with the West Virginia Power, where he earned South Atlantic League All-Star honors[7] and compiled a .263 average, with six home runs, and 37 RBI, in 65 games.

In 2017, Hayes moved up with the Bradenton Marauders, where he batted .278, with two home runs, and 43 RBI, in 108 games[8] and was named a Florida State League All-Star.

On April 4, 2021, Hayes was placed on the 10-day injured list due to left wrist inflammation after leaving a game the previous day because of the injury.

[24] On November 5, 2023, Hayes won the Rawlings Gold Glove Award for NL third basemen, dethroning Nolan Arenado (who had a 10 year streak).