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Pittsburgh Pirates Managerial Candidates Part 2

By Marty Leap

HOUSTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 03: Bench coach Joe Espada #19 hits balls during batting practice to infielders before a game against the Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park on August 03, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 03: Bench coach Joe Espada #19 hits balls during batting practice to infielders before a game against the Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park on August 03, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 24: Willians Astudillo #64 is congratulated by Derek Shelton #8 of the Minnesota Twins after scoring against the Detroit Tigers on a double by Eddie Rosario during the seventh inning at Comerica Park on September 24, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 24: Willians Astudillo #64 is congratulated by Derek Shelton #8 of the Minnesota Twins after scoring against the Detroit Tigers on a double by Eddie Rosario during the seventh inning at Comerica Park on September 24, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

Minnesota Twins bench coach Derek Shelton

One name that has been connected to the Pirates this off-season is Minnesota Twins’ bench coach Derek Shelton. In fact, Shelton has been connected to the Pirates more than once. He was first reported to be a potential candidate the day after the regular season ended. Then on Wednesday, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reported that Shelton was one of two names being linked most to the Pirates’ managerial job.

Shelton is well respected in baseball circles. He is in his second season as bench coach in Minnesota. In 2017, he was the quality control coach for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Prior to arriving in Toronto, Shelton spent seven seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays. From 2010 through 2016 he was Tampa Bay’s hitting coach where he helped develop multiple hitters. He was also the hitting coach with the Cleveland Indians from 2005 through 2009.

During his time in Cleveland, Shelton worked with Pirate general manager Neal Huntington. During Shelton’s first three seasons with the Indians, Huntington was working as a special assistant to the general manager in the Cleveland front office.

On Monday, the Twins were eliminated from the postseason by the New York Yankees. So, you can expect Shelton to start interviewing with interested MLB teams soon. One of the teams he is a slam dunk to interview with is the Pirates.

Shelton will most likely be a MLB manger in 2020. Do not be surprised if it is with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

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