The Tampa Bay Rays hired Derek Shelton as their hitting coach Wednesday.
The 34-year-old Shelton served as the Cleveland Indians’ hitting coach from June 4, 2005, until the end of the 2009 season.
“As a hitting coach or anyone who likes hitting, you look at the (Rays) lineup and say, ‘This is awesome,’” Shelton said during a conference call Wednesday afternoon.
Shelton said his primary duty will be to improve the Rays’ situational hitting, more specifically, driving home runners from third base with less than two outs.
“Situational hitting is a hot topic with any club,” Shelton said. “It’s something Joe (Maddon) has pointed out since the beginning.”
During his years with in Cleveland, the Indians ranked second in doubles, third in on-base percentage, fifth in the major leagues in runs scored, sixth in slugging percentage, seventh in batting and 10th in home runs.
Until this past season, the Indians hitters ranked eighth or better in the majors in runs scored.
“I believe he is the kind of coach who can create a hitting program that will benefit the organization, both at the minor league and major league levels,” said Maddon in a statement released by the team. “In our conversations, I found that we share the same philosophy on a number of different areas. He was very clear and concise on his intentions, and in the end it was an easy decision.”
Shelton replaced Steve Henderson, whose contract was not renewed for 2010.
The Rays set franchise records for home runs, runs scored, extra base hits, walks and on-base percentage this past season.
Shelton was a catcher in the New York Yankees organization during the 1992 and 1993 seasons. His career was cut short by an elbow injury. He is the sixth hitting coach in team history, following Henderson, who held the position in 1998 and from 2006 to this past season, Leon Roberts (1999-2000), Wade Boggs (2001), Milt May (2002) and Lee Elia (2003-2005).
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