Pirates Hire Twins Bench Coach Derek Shelton as Next Manager
By Michael Luciano
The Minnesota Twins surprised plenty around the MLB when they pried the AL Central title away from the Cleveland Indians. As a result, one of the architects of that 101-win team has left for a managerial job in the National League.
The Pittsburgh Pirates named Twins bench coach Derek Shelton as their next manager after a rocky 69-93 season that led to major house-cleaning.
The Pirates have hired Derek Shelton as our 41st Manager of the organization.
— Pirates (@Pirates) November 27, 2019
Shelton has 15 years of coaching experience and spent the last two seasons as the bench coach of the Minnesota Twins. pic.twitter.com/nbm6Es4Qoc
Shelton, who interviewed for the Mets' managerial vacancy as well, beat out Tampa Bay Rays bench coach Matt Quatraro, and was named the 41st manager in the long history of the Pirates organization, replacing the retiring Clint Hurdle.
Shelton, who managed in the Yankees farm system through 2002, was named Indians hitting coach in 2005. Four years later, he made the move to the Tampa Bay Rays, and served as their hitting coach until his departure in 2016. After one year in Toronto, he was named the bench coach in Minnesota, and stayed in that role when Rocco Baldelli took over as manager.
With 15 years of service in as an MLB coach, Shelton more than deserves a chance to lead a ballclub, and he'll take over a Pirates team led by All-Star first baseman Josh Bell and budding young outfielder Bryan Reynolds.
Solid hire again. Damn you guys are killing it so far this offseason. Keep up the good work!
— Mike (@MikeGrosso26) November 27, 2019
The Pirates once again sunk to the bottom of the NL Central division in 2019, and Pittsburgh needs a steady hand to guide this team through some difficult waters up ahead. Let's hope Shelton can be that steadying presence that gets the Pirates back to their winning ways.