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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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ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 08: Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros celebrates with first base coach Don Kelly #15 after hitting a single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the ninth inning in game four of the American League Division Series at Tropicana Field on October 08, 2019 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 08: Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros celebrates with first base coach Don Kelly #15 after hitting a single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the ninth inning in game four of the American League Division Series at Tropicana Field on October 08, 2019 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Houston Astros first base coach Don Kelly

Staying with the Astros, first base coach Don Kelly is another potential managerial candidate for the Pirates. Kelly is a Butler, PA native and grew up rooting for the Pirates. He also made his MLB debut with the Pirates on April 2, 2007. He also spent six seasons with the Detroit Tigers and two with the Miami Marlins before calling it a career.

During his time with the Tigers, Kelly was a favorite of manager Jim Leyland. In fact, Leyland, who was one of the best managers in Pirate history, consistently raved about Kelly’s knowledge of the game and work ethics. On more than one occasion Leyland called Kelly a future MLB manager.

After retiring, Kelly became a scout and a special assistant to the general manager in the Tigers’ system. Following the 2018 season, Kelly was hired for an on field role by the Astros. This on field role was first base coach, leading to Kelly spending the 2019 season as Houston’s first base coach.

Much of what was said about Espada and his ties to the Astros applies to Kelly. The big difference is Espada has cut his teeth much more than Kelly has, and is likely closer to becoming a MLB manager.

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Kelly would be an aggressive hire by the Pirates. After all, he is just 39-years-old and has only spent one season as an on field MLB coach. That said, Kelly is a great baseball mind that learned from some of the best in Leyland, former Detroit general manager Dave Dombrowski and all of the great baseball folks he worked with in Houston. While Kelly would be an aggressive hire by Huntington, and potentially a risky one, it is one that could come with great reward.

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