Pittsburgh Pirates Fire Manager Derek Shelton After 12-26 Start

The Pittsburgh Pirates have decided to make a change at the manager spot as they have fired Derek Shelton, per multiple reports. Shelton was in his sixth season as the franchise’s manager and finished with a 306-440 record (.410 winning percentage) during that stretch. He has never finished with more than 76 wins or higher than fourth in the NL Central in any season with the team in his tenure. Pittsburgh will have bench coach Don Kelly elevate into the manager role for the team going forward.

The Pittsburgh Pirates issued a press release announcing the news and Pirates chairman Bob Nutting discussed making the move.

“Derek is a good man who did a lot for the Pirates and for Pittsburgh, but it was time for a change. The first quarter of the season has been frustrating and painful for all of us. We have to do better. I know that. Ben knows that. Our coaches know that. Our players know that. There is a lot of baseball left to be played. e need to act with a sense of urgency and take the steps necessary to fix this now to get back on track as a team and organization.”

Entering Thursday, the team sits last in the NL Central with a 12-26 record and ride a seven-game losing streak. They are 1-9 in their last 10 games and sit 10.0 games back in both the division and in the NL Wild Card race. Only the Colorado Rockies (.171) and Chicago White Sox (.270) have a lower winning percentage than they do. With a young roster and looking to salvage a season on the brink of being another one lost early on, Pittsburgh has pulled the trigger on a managerial change.