Derek Shelton’s First Impression: Grading the Twins’ New Manager

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of © Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

When the Twins hired Derek Shelton, the early reaction around the organization felt overwhelmingly positive. After years of watching Rocco Baldelli manage with a calm and measured personality, Shelton brought a more energetic and outwardly emotional style to the dugout. That difference has been noticeable from Day One.

Shelton has always been comfortable in front of a microphone and has shown a natural ability to connect with both players and the media. That doesn’t automatically make someone a good manager, but it helped establish confidence, during a season wherein the Twins were already facing plenty of uncertainty. The real question was whether Shelton could navigate a flawed roster while keeping the club in contention. So far, the answer has mostly been yes.

Lineup Construction
One of the biggest talking points entering the season was the top of the lineup. The Twins had multiple candidates to hit leadoff, including Luke Keaschall, Ryan Jeffers, and Brooks Lee. Instead of endlessly rotating options, the club quickly settled on the obvious answer. Byron Buxton wanted the role, and Shelton embraced it.

It has been the right decision, and it wasn't an easy one. Buxton remains the team’s most dynamic offensive player, but if he could hit equally well regardless of lineup position, you'd want him to bat second, third or fourth. More than Baldelli, Shelton came in trying to make that work, but once he recognized how big a difference it makes for Buxton in matters of preparation and mindset, he changed tack. The Twins have not spent the season overcomplicating lineup construction with constant matchup-based shuffling. Injuries have forced adjustments, but the everyday structure has largely remained stable.

Shelton also deserves some credit for the organization’s willingness to make difficult decisions with struggling veterans and former stars. Royce Lewis and Matt Wallner were both expected to anchor significant portions of the offense this season. Instead, both players played themselves into demotions. While Shelton wasn’t the sole voice behind those moves, he deserves credit for managing the situation without creating unnecessary distractions (although, arguably, also some blame for the fact that each has cratered so badly). The Twins prioritized production over reputation.

Offensively, the results have been encouraging in several important categories. Minnesota ranks as the eighth-biggest improver in Hard Hit%, up 0.2% from last season. Only three American League clubs have improved more. The Twins have also posted the AL’s largest increase in Launch Angle Sweet-Spot%, improving by 1.3%.

That doesn’t mean the offense has been perfect. There have still been prolonged slumps and inconsistent performances throughout the lineup. However, Shelton has shown a willingness to move on from underperforming players rather than wait endlessly for improvement.

Shelton's Lineup Grade: B

Starting Pitchers
The rotation looked like a potential disaster before the season even started. When Pablo López went down on the first day of spring training, it felt like Minnesota’s margin for error disappeared immediately. Instead of collapsing, the Twins have pieced together one of the better rotations in the American League.

Taj Bradley has looked like a legitimate frontline starter. Joe Ryan continues to pitch at an All-Star caliber level despite an injury scare earlier in the year. Connor Prielipp has exceeded expectations during his rookie campaign, even as the organization carefully monitors his workload. Then there’s Zebby Matthews, who opened the season in the minors before injuries forced him into a critical role. He has responded exactly the way the Twins hoped.

Shelton has also pushed the rotation aggressively, because he understands the limitations of the bullpen. Minnesota’s starters have consistently been asked to work deeper into games, and for the most part, they’ve delivered. He's been bitten a few times by leaving in starters too long, but there's no doubt that he has a different philosophy of pitcher usage and managing injury risk than Baldelli did. Last year, the Twins had 12 starts in which a hurler topped 100 pitches. This season, they already have nine, even though Bailey Ober only needed 89 pitches to complete one game. They're also staying on more of a five-day rotation, with 23 starts coming on four days' rest so far. Last year, under Baldelli, the Twins only had 41 such starts.

The overall numbers back it up. Twins starters rank 10th in MLB in fWAR, which is sixth in the American League. They also sit eighth in ERA, eighth in Hard Hit%, and sixth overall in HR/FB rate. Given the circumstances, it’s hard to imagine Shelton squeezing much more out of this group.

Shelton's Starting Pitcher Grade: A

Bullpen Usage
This bullpen probably should not work as well as it has. Entering the season, Minnesota lacked established high-end relief arms, and the concerns only intensified as injuries and inconsistency piled up. Shelton has responded by embracing complete bullpen chaos.

So far, it has mostly worked. Eleven different pitchers have recorded a save this season, and no reliever has more than two saves. It has been a full committee approach, with Shelton constantly searching for favorable matchups and hot hands.

There have absolutely been questionable moments along the way. Some pitching changes have backfired, and there are nights when the bullpen still feels one bad inning away from disaster. However, the overall results have been better than anyone reasonably expected. Twins relievers currently own a positive WPA, which felt nearly impossible entering the year, considering the available personnel.

The organization also deserves credit for refusing to stay loyal to struggling veterans. Luis García and Justin Topa were designated for assignment after failing to establish consistency. Meanwhile, the Twins continue searching for undervalued contributors who can stabilize innings.

Yoendrys Gómez has carved out a useful role, while younger pitchers like Andrew Morris and Travis Adams are beginning to adjust to leverage situations at the major-league level. Shelton hasn’t magically transformed the bullpen into a strength, but he has managed to keep it from sinking the season.

Shelton's Bullpen Grade: B

Overall Grade: B+
Shelton inherited a roster with obvious flaws, limited bullpen certainty, and major injury concerns in the rotation before Opening Day even arrived. Instead of letting the season spiral out of control, he has established a clear clubhouse identity while keeping the Twins competitive in a wide-open American League. His style differs noticeably from Baldelli’s, but different doesn’t necessarily mean better or worse. It simply means Shelton has put his own stamp on this team.

There’s still plenty left to prove over a full season, especially when it comes to handling late-game situations and offensive consistency. However, considering the circumstances, Shelton’s first season in Minnesota has been a successful one (to this point).

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What grades should Shelton get for the areas above? What’s his overall grade? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

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[arby58]

It's a reasonable grade and analysis, but I'd probably give him, up to this point,  an A-.  If you had told fans (including around here) that the Twins would be through one-third of the season with Lewis and Wallner in St. Paul and Keaschall struggling, what do you think they would have predicted for a record - maybe 10 games under .500? Shelton doesn't deserve all the credit for where they are, but he definitely is pretty high up the list.

[ashbury]

5 minutes ago, arby58 said:

It's a reasonable grade and analysis, but I'd probably give him, up to this point,  an A-.  If you had told fans (including around here) that the Twins would be through one-third of the season with Lewis and Wallner in St. Paul and Keaschall struggling, what do you think they would have predicted for a record - maybe 10 games under .500? Shelton doesn't deserve all the credit for where they are, but he definitely is pretty high up the list.

Concur.  A new manager often brings improvement because, in part, it's just the nature of the job.  I nevertheless pegged this as a 101-loss team, just for "fun," and it was the potential of underperformances like you mentioned, plus the merest shell of a formerly capable bullpen, plus the chance of key injuries which we've already seen several of, that led me to expect a roster with not a very high ceiling in the first place to exhibit futility.  To instead have this team a game below .500 is an accomplishment.  I still expect more downs than ups the remainder of the season, but I'm enjoying the results so far and am happy to give the new manager credit for them.  Grade of A at this early juncture because I don't know what else could have been asked of him.

[FlyingFinn]

I would give Shelton a B. The Twins have done better than I expected except for Wallner and Lewis especially. But that's just it, Baldelli wasn't given the luxury of low expectations the past few years. Maybe we just overrated the Twins roster as many former Twins seem to be performing poorly with their new teams. Good job Derek Shelton.

[KirbyDome89]

No, Derek Shelton nor his staff deserve blame for Lewis and Wallner further regressing to start this season, nor do they deserve most of the credit for the positives. These "play the results," type articles are an exercise in futility...

[CRF]

I can't recall the name of the guy who was manager the last 7 years🤪, but Shelty is much better than that guy!

[Riverbrian]

He hasn't pinch hit for Julien before his first bat.

So... Thumps up. 

[Jeff K]

iShelton has restored accountability to the Twins, and the team is playing hard and appears to be having fun. I have appreciated his letting starters go deeper into games, perhaps out of necessity, and helping the defense improve by removing the worst offenders. His lineup construction makes sense, and he doesn't appear to change it as frequently as Rocco Baldelli did.  This is about Shelton and not Baldelli, but I can't help but comment on how refreshing it is to see a manager manage players and the game rather than play statistical roulette.

[Whitey333]

I was afraid when Shelton was hired we would get Rocco 2.0 which would have been disastrous.   He is much better than Rocco but still just average in my view.  At the end I gave Rocco an F.  So far I give Shelton a c+ maybe even a b-

[S Bart]

A big shout out.....he reminds me of the pre-Rocco days. A better evaluation will be able to take place at the break in July. He is working with limited sources in some areas. For me, I am just looking forward to at least a 500 plus won/loss average. 

[JD-TWINS]

How many less innings would this years starters have logged with Varland - Jax - Stewart - Duran ……. an effective Topa ……. a healthy Sands in the 2026 PEN?

Managing isn’t that mysterious. The real Manager’s effect is behind the scenes …….., attitude - setting expectations - promoting proper Team demeanor…… it seems Shelton has had a very positive influence in that regard.

[Trov]

What I have liked about Shelton compared to Rocco is the using the starting to pitchers more.  Rocco was married to analytics as the best way to manage starting pitchers, he is not alone in that.  Data showed Twins were not using starters all too much less than most other teams, but he would do it even when the game did not dictate a reason to pull a starter.  Shelton will ride his starters those extra hitters and innings. Additionally, he is letting the pitchers get out of their own jams.  Sure not always works, but he is not just pulling them the moment they are in trouble in like the 5th.  Sometimes it has worked sometimes they blow up, but sometimes the pen blows up too. 

In terms of the pen the main issue I have is trying to get too many 2 inning outings late in games.  I am fine with 2 innings from a pen guy, but 2 inning saves are not common and it makes different mindsets for pitchers when they are asked to go out a second inning to close out a game. 

I do like his willingness to move on from certain players like Wallner and Lewis.  I felt he was too trusting of Wallner early in year and not willing to trust Martin who was hot.  I think as the year has gone on though he is for sure willing to make changes faster than Rocco would have. 

[soyouresayingtheresachance]

I was a bit more optimistic than most before the season and this is about where I expected the team to be record wise. With the starting pitching we have and expecting positive regression from some of the hitters,  I was expecting around .500ish give or take. I was Hopeful of a youth movement and it sounds like that might be coming.

Im expecting expiring contracts to be traded away before the deadline and a lot of the younger players finally getting called up. Players like Bell and Larnach shouldn't be part of the future. I was Hopeful we could sign Jeffers to an extension, but I really doubt that will be possible, so unfortunately he too will need to be traded. Cant let him walk for free at the end of the season. Possibly even players like Wallner and Lewis if they have any trade value left? They might need a change of scenery. Outman? 

I do feel, if not for injuries, we'd have already seen debuts from ERod and maybe even Jenkins. Possibly others. 

So to this point, I feel Shelton has done well with identifying some of the weak links. It has to be difficult to manage when, in my opinion, we dont have all the right players on the team yet. Keaschalls defense at 2B has been pretty bad and I'm not so sure he'll stick there. Moving Lee off SS was a must, but I'm not sure 3B should be his home either. My opinion is he'd be better suited for 2B. We still need an everyday 1B. Clemens is doing admirable work, especially on defense, but his bat is a bit light for 1B. Great utility guy and I love having him on the team. 

Just some of my opinions. I dont know how much say he has over roster construction and call ups, etc. But Shelton is doing a decent job so far. I'd give him a B to this point. 

We have some really good players. Unfortunately, most of them are in the outfield and most of them waiting in AAA are also in the outfield. That makes it difficult, but with some savvy trades and good roster moves, we could be in for a really fun 2nd half of the season. 

Jenkins in LF

Buxton Center

ERod in RF

Martin as a great super utility for IF / OF

Trade Larnach and Outman from the mix and it clears some spots up.

Get Culpepper up for SS. 

They'll have Lee at 3B

I assume Keaschall will still be at 2B. I think his bat will come around. 

Need a solid 1B

Clemens and Kriedler as Super Utility guys

Trade Bell. 

Unfortunately trade Jeffers and we'll have Alex and Caratini at C. I'd like to see Alex start most of the time and see what we have in him. His defense is really good. 

Starting pitchers are doing well. 

Bullpen I am hoping can be addressed at the deadline. Atleast 1 shutdown arm we can use as a closer. 

IMO, this team can be pretty good this year yet. And darn fun to watch!