Position: 1B/2B
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 205 lbs
Bats/Throws: L/R
Born: 10/16/1996
How Acquired: Drafted 14th Round, 424th Overall, 2019
College: The Masters University
Bonus: N/A
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: Yes
Minor League Free Agency: 2025
Options Left: 3
Overview
The Pirates drafted Shackelford as a college senior from a small NAIA school. He put up big numbers in his senior year, hitting for a .415/.519/1.096 line in 188 at-bats, with that massive slugging percentage being a result of 36 home runs. As a pro, he’s continued to show good power. He’s a dead pull hitter, and swings and misses a lot. He’s played first, second and third. Defensively, he’s best at first.
2019-22
Shackelford moved up to AA over his first three years in the system, with no action in 2020. He played at advanced rookie ball, then high A and AA. He hit about the same, with good power, mostly low averages and high K totals. Arguably his best season came in 2022 at Altoona, when he hit 26 home runs. He hit 22 for Greensboro in 2021, but 14 of them came at home. Shackelford had a big platoon split in 2019, but big reverse platoon splits in 2021-22. At the two higher levels, he struck out in a third of his ABs.
2023
Shackelford spent 2023 with Indianapolis, dividing his time between first, second and DH. He improved his walk rate, but the power tailed off. He batted 223/344/406 and didn’t finish the season well, struggling through August and September. He had only a .594 OPS against LHPs.
Stats
Transactions
June 5, 2019: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 14th round, 424th overall pick; signed on June 12.