Pirates manager Derek Shelton promises to create a culture of competition next season

Derek Shelton takes pride in laying the foundation for a culture change in his first season as Pittsburgh Pirates manager, and he’s just as enthused about creating a culture of competition in his second year.

MLB is still working out whether the 2021 season will start on time or delay it until fans can get the covid-19 vaccine, if it can play a 162-game schedule and whether to use a universal designated hitter.

But Shelton is confident about one thing that should remain a constant.

“We’re going into a spring training that we don’t know what lies ahead. I will tell you for the Pirates, there’s going to be a lot of competition, which is fun,” Shelton said Tuesday on a video conference call with reporters. “It excites me. It’s something we’ve been pretty transparent with our group about.”

Following a 60-game season in which the Pirates finished with baseball’s worst record (19-41) and the fifth-worst winning percentage (.317) in franchise history, Shelton said the front office and coaching staff shared their strategy with players in exit meetings this past September, telling them what to work on in the offseason.

Shelton said a handful of position players are penciled in as starters heading into spring training. Team MVP Jacob Stallings, a Gold Glove finalist, is poised to start at catcher. Ke’Bryan Hayes, who batted .376 with a 1.124 OPS in 24 games to win NL Rookie of the Month honors in September, has a stronghold at third base. Bryan Reynolds will start in the outfield, either in left field or center, while Gregory Polanco remains in right field. And Adam Frazier, a two-time Gold Glove finalist, will be in the lineup at second base or possibly left field.

The biggest battle, depending on whether there’s a DH, could be between Josh Bell and Colin Moran at first base. Bell was an All-Star in 2019, when he hit 37 home runs and 116 RBIs, but he slipped to .226 with eight homers and 22 RBIs last season. Moran lost his starting job at third base but batted .247 with a team-best 10 home runs and 23 RBIs.

“I mean, we have two really good bats there,” Shelton said. “That’s going to be a challenge without the DH. We may have to get creative at times in terms of how we functionally use those guys. It’s something that we’ve talked about a little bit. We’ll probably talk about with our group a little more once it’s firmly solidified there’s no DH, but as we get into spring training, if both guys are healthy, that’s gonna be some conversations that you guys are probably going to ask me about on a daily basis.”

Shortstop is another hot spot, with a three-way battle looming. The Pirates signed Erik Gonzalez to a one-year, $1.225 million deal after he played 38 games at short. Kevin Newman started the season there but played almost as many games at second base (20) as he did shortstop (22). And after experimenting in the outfield last season, Cole Tucker will be given a chance to play his natural position.

Shelton stressed their versatility, calling it “extremely important” that all three can also play either second base or the outfield. He referenced Phillip Evans, who batted .359 in 11 games, for his ability to play the corner infield and outfield positions.

“With the shortstop position, we feel really good about all three of those guys,” Shelton said. “The other thing I feel really good about is, all three of those guys can play other positions. They can bounce around the field, and that’s extremely important. Versatility is going to be extremely important for this club.”

So is performance. Hayes and Evans were the only regulars who batted better than .250 last season, and neither played even half of the 60-game season. Shelton also is aware the Pirates are listening to trade offers, with teams showing interest in Bell, Frazier and Moran along with starting pitchers Steven Brault, Joe Musgrove and Jameson Taillon.

For that reason, it’s a lineup that will be made in pencil instead of ink, although Shelton wouldn’t mind having some magic in his marker once the season starts after the Pirates finished at or near the bottom of the majors in most offensive categories.

“Where it goes from there is going to be a little bit based on meritocracy,” Shelton said. “If you’re playing well and doing a good job, you’re probably going to continue to get opportunities. We’re in a situation where we want to get better. We need to get better. So we will take each opportunity individually, but competition is a healthy thing. I think it brings out the best in people. We’re definitely going to go into spring training where we have some opportunities for people.”