Prior to playing professional baseball, Hayward attended the University of Oklahoma. In 1980, he went 9-2 with a 3.19 ERA and 78 strikeouts in 93 innings of work. The following year, he went 9–2 with a 1.70 ERA, striking out 75 batters in 69 innings. He appeared in only three games in 1982, going 1–1 with a 2.40 ERA. In his final college season – 1983 – he went 7–6 with a 3.40 ERA and 125 strikeouts in 98 innings of work.\n', '

Originally, he was drafted in the 12th round of the 1982 amateur draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Choosing not to sign that time, he was drafted 10th overall in the 1983 amateur draft by the Padres, at which time he did choose to sign.\n', '

Hayward began his professional career with the Beaumont Golden Gators, going 5–1 with a 1.76 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 66​1⁄3 innings of work. He completed five and shutout two of the 10 games he started.\n', '

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