Shildt joins Padres' player development crew

SAN DIEGO -- The Padres announced the entirety of their player development staff on Wednesday, with one very intriguing name added to the mix.

Former Cardinals manager Mike Shildt has joined the Padres as a player development consultant, the team announced Wednesday. Shildt's role, club sources said, will be to serve as a resource for Ryley Westman's player development group, helping in any capacity necessary.

Shildt spent four seasons at the helm of the Cardinals. He posted a .559 winning percentage and reached the postseason in each of the past three years. Shildt was let go by St. Louis in October and was initially viewed as a candidate for the Padres' managerial vacancy, which went to Bob Melvin.

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In December, Shildt took a role with Major League Baseball, in which he will assist with on-field technology and youth baseball initiatives. He remains set to work in that capacity, while also serving as an adviser for the Padres’ development team.

The 53-year-old Shildt boasts an impressive track record in player development, having spent nearly two decades in the Cardinals’ organization as a Minor League manager, coach and scout before he joined Mike Matheny's big league staff in 2017. Padres officials touted that background as an immensely valuable resource. By design, Shildt's role is loosely defined, but he seems set to serve as a sounding board for Westman's staff.

Westman is entering his first full season as head of the team's player development, with Mike Daly having joined the Padres as assistant director of player development after five seasons as assistant GM in Texas.