Pirates Skipper Derek Shelton Snaps at Reporter Over Seemingly Harmless Question

Pirates Skipper Derek Shelton Snaps at Reporter Over Seemingly Harmless Question

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ season has quickly spiraled out of control. At one point, they were just 1.5 games behind the final NL Wild Card spot, challenging the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets. That was around the 2024 MLB Trade Deadline, though now it feels like a distant memory.

Pittsburgh made some notable acquisitions, including outfielder Bryan De La Cruz (Miami Marlins), utility player Isiah Kiner-Falefa (Toronto Blue Jays), and reliever Jalen Beeks, but those moves failed to make much impact.

On August 1, the Pirates held a 55-52 record. However, after a 10-game losing streak and several blown leads by the bullpen, they found themselves at 65-74, posting a 10-22 record in just over a month. The pressure is mounting, perhaps explaining why manager Derek Shelton became defensive when questioned by a reporter after a 12-0 loss to the Chicago Cubs, in which the Pirates were no-hit. Starting pitcher Domingo Germán struggled, lasting only three innings and giving up seven runs on nine hits.

Pitching a position player in September, when you have an extra arm in your bullpen, is a very interesting decision.

— Noah Hiles (@_NoahHiles) September 5, 2024

As the game slipped away, Shelton turned to first baseman Rowdy Tellez for the third time in 10 days to pitch in the blowout. The Pirates now face bigger concerns beyond using position players as pitchers in lopsided games, although expanded September rosters provide an additional bullpen arm.

Derek Shelton was furious when asked why Rowdy Tellez pitched the 8th pic.twitter.com/A3qhYI1CRi

— Austin Bechtold (@AustinRBechtold) September 5, 2024

Noah Hiles, a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter, asked Shelton if using Tellez was due to a lack of off days. Shelton, visibly irritated, responded, “Come on, Noah, it’s 11-0,” listing reasons for not using his primary relievers. While Tellez pitching isn’t a major issue, Shelton’s outburst over a straightforward question highlights how tensions rise during a losing stretch.

The Pirates’ recent bullpen and offensive struggles are only made worse when small decisions, like using a position player to pitch, draw emotional responses from leadership. It underscores how everything is scrutinized when a team is underperforming.