While the Pirates’ 2021 season played out as most expected it to, that hardly means Ben Cherington and Derek Shelton’s second year on the job was a success at the major league level. A 61-101 record kept them in the National League Central’s basement for a third consecutive year, and while they could point to “developmental wins” at different points of the season, triple-digit losses is never a good thing.
For the most part, it looks like they’ll stay the path in 2022. Trust that the players in their farm system can make an impact once they reach the majors -- and there should actually be some top prospects ready to graduate to the majors next season -- and bank on internal improvement and player development.