2016 Minor League Coaching Staffs

[Seth Stohs]

Throughout the day today, the Twins' affiliates will be announcing their coaching staffs. We'll update them here as we see them. Feel free to discuss... there are several changes.

Rochester Red Wings:

Manager - Mike Quade
Hitting Coach - Chad Allen (moved up after three years in AA)
Pitching Coach - Stu Cliburn (moved up after 7 years in AA)

Chattanooga Lookouts:

Manager - Doug Mientkiewicz
Hitting Coach - Tommy Watkins (moved up after 6 years in MWL)
Pitching Coach - Ivan Arteaga (2015 in FM, 2014 in CR, 2013 in CR, 2012 in ET)

Ft. Myers Miracle:

Manager - Jeff Smith
Hitting Coach - Jim Dwyer
Pitching Coach - Henry Bonilla (Cedar Rapids in 2015. E-Town in 2014.)

Cedar Rapids Kernels:

Manager - Jake Mauer
Hitting Coach - Brian Dinkelman (GCL in 2015)
Pitching Coach - JP Martinez (GCL in 2015)

Elizabethton Twins:

Manager-Ray Smith
Hitting Coach - Jeff Reed
Pitching Coach - Luis Ramirez

GCL Twins:

Manager - Ramon Borrego
Hitting Coach - Javier Valentin
Hitting Coach - Steve Singleton (1st year coach, former player)
Pitching Coach - Virgil Vazquez

Pitching Coach - Cibney Bello (1st year, spent last 4 years in Mariners org)

[Mike Sixel]

I'll admit, I won't know where all the changes are, if you don't list what is changing......

[Seth Stohs]

Dinkelman and Martinez were both coaching in the Gulf Coast League last year.

 

Dinkelman hit .301 in 78 plate appearances for the Twins in 2011. 8th round pick in 2006, was in organization through the 2013 season.

 

Martinez was the team's 9th round pick in 2004. He make a couple of appearances for Rochester in 2007.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I'll admit, I won't know where all the changes are, if you don't list what is changing......

 

I'll include that in the first post... good point. Thank you!

[USNMCPO]

What about Tommy in CR?

[IC Twins Fan]

Any idea where Tommy Watkins is headed?

[Guest]

 

 

Any idea where Tommy Watkins is headed?

 

Haven't seen official word yet, but Jim Ecker of MetroSportsReport.com in CR is reporting that Tommy will be the hitting coach in Chattanooga.

 

http://metrosportsreport.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32651:mauer-will-return-as-kernels-manager&catid=184:about-msr

[IC Twins Fan]

Great for Tommy, not so good for fans of his with the Kernels! Tommy has a great personality.

[Seth Stohs]

Stu Cliburn was Rochester's pitching coach from 2006-08, per Josh Whetzel, voice of the Red Wings.

[Guest]

It's official: Watkins and Ivan Arteaga join Doug M at Chattanooga.

[Seth Stohs]

Alright, the coaching staffs are all updated and complete... feel free to ask any questions you may have.

 

I had a message from Steve Singleton last night, telling me the news about him, and he said, "Feels good to be back!"

[Mike Sixel]

Who isn't back, any idea why?

[Rosterman]

Both Tim Doherty and Marty Mason aren't coming back. Have been at Rochester since 2013. Luis Ramirez also isn't coming back to Elizabethton. The Twins were over-staffed at the GCL last year and they seemed to have pushed everyone up a notch. SIngleton is the only real new guy!

[Seth Stohs]

 

Both Tim Doherty and Marty Mason aren't coming back. Have been at Rochester since 2013. Luis Ramirez also isn't coming back to Elizabethton. The Twins were over-staffed at the GCL last year and they seemed to have pushed everyone up a notch. SIngleton is the only real new guy!

 

I typed "Luis Martinez" for Elizabethton. It should have been 'Luis Ramirez.' My bad.

 

Also added Cibney Bello as a 2nd pitching coach in the GCL. He's been with the Mariners system for the last four years.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Who isn't back, any idea why?

 

To answer the "Why" part of this... I really don't know. I haven't heard.

 

The Red Wings had something like 24 shutouts last year, and that's with their 5th starters (Meyer, Wheeler, Peavey) really struggling badly. Dean, Rogers, Darnell, Berrios, all did well with him. Meyer gave him a lot of credit a year earlier. I think May did too. So, I'm not sure. Possible that he just retired.

 

On Doherty, I really don't know. I mean, I don't know what it really means, but he was named to the International League All Star team as a coach. I don't know what that's based on. And, frankly, he didn't get to work with the talent that Chad Allen has been able to the last year. I do think Allen is good, and the plan may have just been for him to move up with Walker, Polanco, etc.

[Mike Sixel]

Ya, I guess I didn't expect to know the why.....that was more of a "are they going someplace else" question, I think. Either way, thanks of the updates everyone.

[Bob Sacamento]

Good to see Tommy still climbing the organizational ladder, great guy and seems to get the most out of his players.  I don't know if there is another coach on the team that players love playing for more then him.

 

 

[TRex]

It will be interesting to see if Mientkiewicz and Watkins plays the roles of 'good cop'/'bad cop' in Chattanooga this year  ! 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Good to see Tommy still climbing the organizational ladder, great guy and seems to get the most out of his players.  I don't know if there is another coach on the team that players love playing for more then him.

 

While this is true, and it's fun to see in person and in action, Tommy is also a tremendous coach. He studies the game. He knows the fundamentals. He got to the big leagues because of an incredible will, and he oozes that work ethic and love of the game. He's very deserving of the promotion.