The Pirates’ minor league awards week continued yesterday with the naming of Esmerlyn Valdez as the Willie Stargell Slugger of the Year. He hit a combined .286 with 26 home runs, 25 doubles, two triples, and 86 RBIs for Greensboro and Altoona.
Brandan Bidois is the Kent Tekulve Reliever of the Year. He was a combined 8-0 with seven saves and a 0.75 ERA for Greensboro, Altoona, and Indianapolis and went 64 straight batters without allowing a hit between July 29th and September 9th.
Shortstop Konnor Griffin is the Bill Mazeroski Defender of the Year. The number one prospect in all of baseball is already the Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year. He made seven errors in 757 innings for Bradenton, Greensboro, and Altoona.
Griffin will very likely win the Honus Wagner Player of the Year Award today. The Bob Friend Pitcher of the Year is expected to be named today as well.
SHELTON TO TAKE OVER FOR THE TWINS
The Associated Press reports that former Pirates manager Derek Shelton has been chosen to replace Rocco Baldelli as manager of the Minnesota Twins. Shelton was the bench coach for the Twins in 2018 and 2019 before being hired by the Pirates.
The AP says the hiring will be announced after the World Series.
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