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Major League Baseball saw its first manager firing of the season this week when Pittsburgh Pirates Axed Derek Shelton after a 12-26 start.
It’s been a tough go for pirates since their short postal season extends a decade ago. But with young talent in Paul Skenes, Oneil Cruz, Bryan Reynolds, Ke’Bryan Hayes and others, they have failed to live up to expectations.
The Skenes admitted that he “was not shocked” by the move.
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Pittsburgh Pirates Start Pitcher Paul Skene (30) surrenders the ball to manager Derek Shelton (right) as he is removed from a game against Chicago Cubs during the fifth round at PNC Park. (Charles Leclaire/USA Today Sports)
“We are 12-26. Someone needs to be held in charge,” he told journalists on Friday. “Unfortunately, right now, it’s him.”
But Skenes said that a change of leadership will not do much because it is ultimately up to the players.
“Just how it goes. I don’t know if it solves the root of the problem. We just have to play better,” he added.
“Derek worked incredibly hard and sacrificed a lot over five-Plus years. His family became a big part of the Pirates family, and we will miss that,” Pirates General Manager Ben Cherington said in a statement. “He is an incredibly smart, curious and driven baseball leader. I think he was the right person for the job when he was hired. I also think a change is now needed. I wish Derek and his family all the best in their next chapter.”
Pirates Bench coach Don Kelly was appointed Shelton’s replacement.
Pittsburgh Pirates Manager Derek Shelton, Left, talks to Judge Mike Estabrook between the laps of a game against San Diego Padres in Pittsburgh May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
“Derek is a good man who did a lot for Pirates and Pittsburgh, but it was time for a change,” said Pirates chairman Bob Nutting. “The first quarter of the season has been frustrating and painful to all of us. We have to do better.
“There is a lot of baseball left to be played. We have to trade with a sense of urgent character and take the necessary steps to solve this now to get back on track as a team and organization.”
Pittsburgh Pirates Manager Derek Shelton stands in Dugout during a game against San Diego Padres in Pittsburgh 2 May 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Pittsburgh was in violation last summer before ending 76-86.
