Derek Shelton weathered the storm that was the tear down during the first couple of years during the Pirates rebuild.
Now he’s getting a chance to try and take the team to the next level.
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced that they were extending their manager, and although the exact details haven’t been released, it was the right call to give Shelton a chance to see how far he can take this team.
It hasn’t been an easy road for Shelton, as not only was he taking control of a rebuilding team — for his first managing job no less — but faced all sorts of obstacles that made things far from normal.
This year, his fourth on the job, was really the first ‘normal’ year he had, as the pandemic completely threw things off the rails in 2020, as well as how they started things the following year.
Then last year there was the lockout, so the start of camp, and eventually the season, was delayed.
There have been a lot of growing pains involved, but he’s got his team playing well, and he’s showing what he can do as a manager with a roster that is more built towards actually being far more competitive than in previous years.
Even if it’s still early, and a lot of things can still change, Shelton is more than deserving of an added layer of security for the job he’s done, and the part he’s played in the quick turnaround.
Prospect Notes
— The Bradenton Marauders and Greensboro Grasshoppers both lost on Saturday, but one interesting note to come out of their games, they combined to draw 22 walks on the day, both reaching double digits.
Walks happen, especially in the lower levels, the Marauders even won a game in extra innings recently on a bases-loaded walk, but to not only draw double digit free passes but also for two teams to do it in the same system, nice showing of plate awareness.
— Javier Rivas picked up a couple of big hits on Saturday, including his first home run of the season. It’s been a rough start to the season for the towering shortstop, which has included a lot of swing and miss.
He has the power, but he’s been beating the ball into the ground a lot, so seeing him square this one up, is a good sign.
Check out the rest of tonight’s action in the Prospect Watch:
Prospect Watch: Javier Rivas Goes Deep, Indy and Greensboro Get Shelled
Daily Video Rundown
Luis Peralta picks up his 5th strikeout through two innings here. Looks like his day may be done as well #LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/FvzrsdKm71
— Anthony Murphy (@__Murphy88) April 22, 2023
Luis Peralta made his season debut on Saturday and was impressive in his two innings of work, striking out five batters. Even better, he only walked one. Striking batters out was never an issue for the lefty, throwing strikes was, and it got so bad last year he spent some time on the development list.
Javier Rivas got some lift into this one. Driving it out the park for his first home run with Bradenton. 99.6 mph off the bat, with a 32 degree launch angle. #LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/RfkEZxEpV2
— Anthony Murphy (@__Murphy88) April 22, 2023
A look at the Rivas home run, his first of the season.
Andújar crushed it.
Miguel Andujar destroyed this baseball, giving the Indianapolis Indians a 2-0 lead.
PIRATES PROSPECTS DAILY
By Tim Williams
I had some thoughts on the Shelton extension in the live thread. I’ll have a more detailed look tomorrow.
Pirates Recap: Rich Hill Helps Push the Pirates Winning Streak to Six
Prospect Watch: Javier Rivas Goes Deep, Indy and Greensboro Get Shelled
**Pirates Manager Derek Shelton Receives Contract Extension
**Pirates Draft Prospects: Should Paul Skenes Be Selected First Overall?
**Minor Moves: Bradenton Makes a Pair of Roster Moves
SONG OF THE DAY
