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Manager Derek Shelton of the Pittsburgh Pirates speaks to media during Gatorade All-Star Workout Day at T-Mobile Park on July 10, 2023 in Seattle, Washington.
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Analysis: Derek Shelton expects 2nd-half youth movement, but what could that mean for Pirates?

Steph Chambers / Getty Images

Analysis: Derek Shelton expects 2nd-half youth movement, but what could that mean for Pirates?

SEATTLE — While the Pirates certainly endured their fair share of trouble entering the All-Star break, losing seven of nine games this month and 19 of 26 since June 13, a trend has started to emerge with the organization’s willingness to give younger players a shot.

Whether that’s been Henry Davis, Nick Gonzales or Jared Triolo in the field, or Osvaldo Bido and Carmen Mlodzinski on the mound, the Pirates have enjoyed several MLB debuts over the past month.

They’re likely not finished, either.

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While assessing his team’s 41-49 first half on Monday at T-Mobile Park, during media day at the MLB All-Star Game, Pirates manager Derek Shelton said priority No. 1 was to get everyone healthy. But, yes, he did expect Pittsburgh’s youth movement to continue in the second half.

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“Yeah, I definitely think it will,” Shelton told the Post-Gazette. “But the first thing is we have to get healthy. That’s the primary thing.”

When it comes to injuries, the Pirates have several notable ones to track. Andrew McCutchen (right elbow inflammation) is eligible to return from the 10-day injured list on Sunday and will likely be back around that date.

It’ll be longer with Ke’Bryan Hayes, who’s on the IL for the second time this season because of lower back inflammation, at this point a chronic condition that the Pirates need to learn more about and correct.

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Ji Hwan Bae (left ankle sprain) will be eligible to return this weekend against the Giants. However, he’ll be reassessed Thursday to see if he can restart baseball activities. In other words, a return does not seem imminent.

Jose Hernandez (right calf strain) and Wil Crowe (right shoulder discomfort) could rejoin the Pirates soon as bullpen reinforcements.

The bigger deal when it comes to what Shelton said is obviously the young guys and who could be next. Endy Rodriguez and Quinn Priester are the two biggest names, top-five prospects who’ve performed well lately at Triple-A Indianapolis.

Rodriguez, considered Pittsburgh’s third-best prospect by MLB Pipeline, has hit .319 with an .866 OPS over his last 17, with seven doubles, a home run, 13 RBIs and 17 runs scored. He has also walked 11 times compared to 10 strikeouts in that stretch, evidence of his improved plate discipline.

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The decision to promote Rodriguez would likely say something bigger about how the Pirates feel about their catching situation. Although they’ve graded out well defensively, especially from a blocking and framing standpoint, Austin Hedges and Jason Delay have added little at the plate.

With a .551 collective OPS from their catchers, the Pirates rank 29th in MLB and last in the National League. Bringing up Rodriguez and actually allowing him to catch could theoretically inject some much-needed offense into the lineup.

“We’ve played really well. We’re played poorly. And we’ve played in between,” Shelton said. “We need to be more consistent. We need to get healthy. We’re not healthy. We just need to continue to give opportunities to younger guys so they get better.”

Shelton also said it’s possible to start using Henry Davis behind the plate.

“He caught in Arizona,” Shelton said. “I don’t think there’s a timetable of when we’re going to do it. We’re continuing to work on it. He’s continuing to get better. If we find the right opportunities, then we’ll get him in.”

The best offensive performer among the rookies to this point has been Gonzales, who has hit .278 with an .810 OPS through 16 games while also playing better-than-expected defense at shortstop.

Triolo’s slick glove has been noticeable at third base, and he has also been impactful with the bat, turning in a .300 average and .714 OPS in 11 games. After hitting .351 in his first 10, Davis has batted just .118 with nine strikeouts and one extra-base hit over his past 10 contests.

As for Priester, his last start should’ve turned some heads, as he went a career-high 7 1/3 innings, allowing a pair of earned runs, walking none and striking out three. The right-hander is 6-0 over his last 12 starts with a 3.36 ERA.

Not only that, Priester ranks fifth among International League qualifiers in ERA (4.36). He’s also tied for first in wins (seven), third in strikeouts (84), fourth in innings pitched (86 2/3), fourth in batting average against (.251) and fifth in WHIP (1.36).

With the Pirates rotation consisting of Mitch Keller, Rich Hill, Johan Oviedo and maybe Bido, there’s plenty of room to add Priester, who’s considered their fourth-best prospect by MLB Pipeline.

“With the young talent coming up like Davis, Gonzales, all those guys, it’s really special,” closer David Bednar said. “It’s a sign of what’s to come.”

And, oh yeah, the biggest young guy addition for the Pirates carries that title in a literal and figurative sense. Oneil Cruz remains on track to return in mid-to-late August from his fractured left ankle.

“We have some veterans and young guys coming up,” starter Mitch Keller said. “We have players coming off the IL soon. It will be great to get Cruz back. I think we’ll make some noise coming down the stretch.”

Jason Mackey: jmackey@post-gazette.com and Twitter @JMackeyPG.

First Published: July 12, 2023, 3:03 p.m.
Updated: July 12, 2023, 7:18 p.m.

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