Will Pirates Keep Don Kelly? MLB Insider Predicts Manager’s Future (Hint: It’s Good)

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss. That should be the story for Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly.

Sunday on MLB Network, the New York Post’s Jon Heyman examined which managerial openings could be available looking ahead to next season. Batting leadoff in that lineup was Kelly, who should like what Heyman had to say.

“I think Don Kelly is doing a terrific job and I think the players like him very much,” Heyman said. “Had a great rep going in. Now his contract is up. Although they’re not calling him interim, he really is interim manager at the moment.

“I think he will stay,” Heyman concluded.

The 45-year-old Kelly took over in the dugout in May when the Pirates fired manager Derek Shelton after starting the season 12-26. He was the first big-league skipper to lose his job this year.

Kelly had been the Pirates’ bench coach since the 2020 season. His coaching career started in 2019 as first base coach for the Houston Astros.

Since taking over for Shelton, Kelly has led the Pirates to a 45-48 record, which is quite impressive given the roster churn he’s experienced.

General manager Ben Cherington completed five trades in the 48 hours leading up to the July 31 MLB trade deadline, shipping out All-Star closer David Bednar and Gold Glove-winning third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes, as well as pitchers Bailey Falter, Taylor Rodgers and Caleb Ferguson.

The only constant for the Pirates this season is ace Paul Skenes, who is the front-runner for the National League Cy Young Award. The 23-year-old leads the majors with a 2.07 ERA.

Pittsburgh’s youth movement also includes rookie right-hander Bubba Chandler, who impressed in his MLB debut Friday.

Should Kelly get to stick around, he will get a Pirates roster infused by up-and-coming studs. Earlier this month, MLB Pipeline updated its list of the top 100 prospects in the minors and the top 30 prospects on each club. The Pirates have the top prospect at not one, but two different positions.

Chandler is the top right-handed pitching prospect. Seth Hernandez, who’s still in rookie ball, is the No. 4 right-handed pitching prospect.

The Pirates also have the top-ranked shortstop prospect. In fact, Konnor Griffin is the No. 1 prospect overall, according to MLB Pipeline.

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