Twins Finalize MLB Coaching Staff with Two Additions

[Seth Stohs]

Bolding done by me... Pickler's role is certainly interesting... 

 

Jeff Smith is a b it of a surprise. Means there'll be a new manager and a new hitting coach in Ft. Myers. Hmmm... 

 

TWINS HIRE JEFF SMITH AND JEFF PICKLER TO
MAJOR LEAGUE COACHING STAFF

Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN – The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have hired Jeff Smith and Jeff Pickler to the Major League coaching staff. Smith will serve as First Base Coach, oversee catching instruction and assist with baserunning instruction.  Pickler will serve as Major League Coach and Coordinator of Major League Development.  In his role Pickler will oversee outfield instruction, advise all coaches and players on game preparation and strategy, and coordinate communication between the major leagues and player development.

 

Smith, 42, has managed or coached at various levels in the Twins minor league system for the last 12 seasons. He spent the last two as manager at Single-A Ft. Myers. Prior to that, he managed Double-A New Britain from 2010-14, managed at Ft. Myers from 2008-09, managed Single-A Beloit from 2006-07 and was hitting coach at the GCL Twins in 2005.

 

Smith was selected by the Twins in the 20th round of the 1994 First-Year Player Draft out of Stetson (FL) University.  He played nine seasons of minor league baseball from 1996-2004 with the Twins, Texas and Boston organizations.

Pickler, 40, served the last two seasons as Special Assistant, Player Development for the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. Prior to that he worked for the San Diego Padres as a Pro Scout and Special Assignment Scout from 2010, 2012-14, Minor League Infield Coordinator for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 2011, one season as an Assistant Coach at the University of Arizona in 2009 and three seasons as an Advance Scout and Special Assistant for the Arizona Diamondbacks from 2006-08. 

 

Pickler was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 11th round of the 1998 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Tennessee and played parts of eight seasons of professional baseball from 1998-2005. The former second baseman and leftfielder played in 904 career minor league games in the Milwaukee, Texas and Colorado organizations.

 

In addition, the Twins have retained the following major league support staff for the 2017 season: Head Athletic Trainer Dave Pruemer, Assistant Athletic Trainer Tony Leo, Assistant Athletic Trainer and Rehab Coordinator Lanning Tucker, Strength and Conditioning Coach Perry Castellano, Director of Major League Video Sean Harlin, and bullpen catchers Nate Dammann and Ben Richardson.

 

Below is the Twins coaching staff for the 2017 season:

Manager – Paul Molitor                                                                 

Hitting Coach – James Rowson         
Bench Coach – Joe Vavra                                                              

Assistant Hitting Coach – Rudy Hernandez
Major League Coach – Jeff Pickler                                           

First Base Coach – Jeff Smith             
Pitching Coach – Neil Allen                                                          

Third Base Coach – Gene Glynn
Bullpen Coach – Eddie Guardado

[drjim]

[Homer Hanky]

 

Bolding done by me... Pickler's role is certainly interesting... 

 

Jeff Smith is a b it of a surprise. Means there'll be a new manager and a new hitting coach in Ft. Myers. Hmmm... 

 

TWINS HIRE JEFF SMITH AND JEFF PICKLER TO
MAJOR LEAGUE COACHING STAFF

Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN – The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have hired Jeff Smith and Jeff Pickler to the Major League coaching staff. Smith will serve as First Base Coach, oversee catching instruction and assist with baserunning instruction.  Pickler will serve as Major League Coach and Coordinator of Major League Development.  In his role Pickler will oversee outfield instruction, advise all coaches and players on game preparation and strategy, and coordinate communication between the major leagues and player development.

 

Smith, 42, has managed or coached at various levels in the Twins minor league system for the last 12 seasons. He spent the last two as manager at Single-A Ft. Myers. Prior to that, he managed Double-A New Britain from 2010-14, managed at Ft. Myers from 2008-09, managed Single-A Beloit from 2006-07 and was hitting coach at the GCL Twins in 2005.

 

Smith was selected by the Twins in the 20th round of the 1994 First-Year Player Draft out of Stetson (FL) University.  He played nine seasons of minor league baseball from 1996-2004 with the Twins, Texas and Boston organizations.

Pickler, 40, served the last two seasons as Special Assistant, Player Development for the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. Prior to that he worked for the San Diego Padres as a Pro Scout and Special Assignment Scout from 2010, 2012-14, Minor League Infield Coordinator for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 2011, one season as an Assistant Coach at the University of Arizona in 2009 and three seasons as an Advance Scout and Special Assistant for the Arizona Diamondbacks from 2006-08. 

 

Pickler was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 11th round of the 1998 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Tennessee and played parts of eight seasons of professional baseball from 1998-2005. The former second baseman and leftfielder played in 904 career minor league games in the Milwaukee, Texas and Colorado organizations.

 

In addition, the Twins have retained the following major league support staff for the 2017 season: Head Athletic Trainer Dave Pruemer, Assistant Athletic Trainer Tony Leo, Assistant Athletic Trainer and Rehab Coordinator Lanning Tucker, Strength and Conditioning Coach Perry Castellano, Director of Major League Video Sean Harlin, and bullpen catchers Nate Dammann and Ben Richardson.

 

Below is the Twins coaching staff for the 2017 season:

Manager – Paul Molitor                                                                  Hitting Coach – James Rowson         
Bench Coach – Joe Vavra                                                               Assistant Hitting Coach – Rudy Hernandez
Major League Coach – Jeff Pickler                                            First Base Coach – Jeff Smith             
Pitching Coach – Neil Allen                                                           Third Base Coach – Gene Glynn
Bullpen Coach – Eddie Guardado

AND

 

St Paul Pioneer Press adds... 

 

The Twins announced a pair of minor-league signings on Wednesday: veteran corner infielder Matt Hague and first baseman/outfielder Reynaldo Rodriguez. Hague, the 2015 International League MVP at Triple-A Buffalo (Toronto Blue Jays), spent last season with Hanshin in Japan. Hague, 31, has 91 career plate appearances in the majors with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Blue Jays. Rodriguez, 30, has been in the Twins’ system the past four seasons, including an 80-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs in 2016. They join veteran outfielder J.B. Shuck, signed to a minor-league deal over the weekend.

[Loosey]

So could 

 

Bolding done by me... Pickler's role is certainly interesting... 

 

Jeff Smith is a b it of a surprise. Means there'll be a new manager and a new hitting coach in Ft. Myers. Hmmm... 

 

TWINS HIRE JEFF SMITH AND JEFF PICKLER TO
MAJOR LEAGUE COACHING STAFF

 

So could Chad Allen become Fort Myers Manager?  And is that a promotion from his current role?

[Thrylos]

Actually, based on:

 

a. the fact that this moves Jeff Smith away from developing Twins' players and 

b. the average duration of the first base coach job for the Twins this millennium

 

I am happy to see Jeff Smith there.  Would be happier if he were with the White Sox or something, but gotta not be greedy

[Seth Stohs]

 

AND

 

St Paul Pioneer Press adds... 

 

The Twins announced a pair of minor-league signings on Wednesday: veteran corner infielder Matt Hague and first baseman/outfielder Reynaldo Rodriguez. Hague, the 2015 International League MVP at Triple-A Buffalo (Toronto Blue Jays), spent last season with Hanshin in Japan. Hague, 31, has 91 career plate appearances in the majors with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Blue Jays. Rodriguez, 30, has been in the Twins’ system the past four seasons, including an 80-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs in 2016. They join veteran outfielder J.B. Shuck, signed to a minor-league deal over the weekend.

 

We posted that hours ago in the minor league signings thread...

[Seth Stohs]

Rudy Hernandez still an assistant coach... but won't be in dugout in games.

 

 

[Thrylos]

 

Rudy Hernandez still an assistant coach... but won't be in dugout in games.

 

 

That's another goodie.   The Twins take away player access during the games from their only Latino coach.  Totally incomprehensible.

 

 

[Squirrel]

Hmmm ... not sure yet what to think ... 

[Halsey Hall]

The Smith move surprises me.  He stepped down from AA to Ft Myers to be close to home.  Can't help but wonder what the difference in pay is.

[Homer Hanky]

 

We posted that hours ago in the minor league signings thread...

woah... i am such a loser... :- ) /// Thanks for making this a GREAT sight! 

Merry Christmas

[jud6312]

 

Actually, based on:

 

a. the fact that this moves Jeff Smith away from developing Twins' players and 

b. the average duration of the first base coach job for the Twins this millennium

 

I am happy to see Jeff Smith there.  Would be happier if he were with the White Sox or something, but gotta not be greedy

I was totally on the same page as you for Point A.

 

As for Point B, as Chris Carter once said, "You got to have a fall guy in the crew."

[nicksaviking]

I like the Pickler position, sounds like a great gig for his analytical background. If he's in charge of game day preparation and strategy I have to think it will be pretty difficult for Molitor to go against the analytical grain. Not that he would necessarily, just that it would be hard if he was inclined to.

 

I also thought Jeff Smith had a bit of a contemptuous relationship with the young players. Maybe that wasn't true or I'm mis-remembering. Anyway, that choice seemed to have come out of nowhere.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I agree with everyone above about the Smith hire

[Seth Stohs]

 

The Smith move surprises me.  He stepped down from AA to Ft Myers to be close to home.  Can't help but wonder what the difference in pay is.

 

A big league job certainly trumps that. Pay is likely quite a bit more in the big leagues than managing in Ft. Myers. 

[Seth Stohs]

Just some quick notes based on comments above:

 

 

1.) I had heard player issues with Jeff Smith, but they were from 6-8 years ago... My understanding is that he's got a pretty strong relationship with the current group that is reaching the big leagues now. And that included MIguel Sano. The benching for 4-5 games in New Britain all those years ago was much ado about nothing. Sano and Smith have a good relationship.

 

2.) As far as moving Hernandez from the dugout to the video room, it's like a 15 step walk. He'll likely still be very involved in talking to players throughout the game. 

[Winston Smith]

A little disappointed no minorities were added this off season.

[ScrapTheNickname]

 

Just some quick notes based on comments above:

 

 

1.) I had heard player issues with Jeff Smith, but they were from 6-8 years ago... My understanding is that he's got a pretty strong relationship with the current group that is reaching the big leagues now. And that included MIguel Sano. The benching for 4-5 games in New Britain all those years ago was much ado about nothing. Sano and Smith have a good relationship.

 

2.) As far as moving Hernandez from the dugout to the video room, it's like a 15 step walk. He'll likely still be very involved in talking to players throughout the game. 

What was the benching about? Are details of any variety known?

[Squirrel]

When will Mientkiewicz get a promotion to the big leagues?

[jud6312]

 

When will Mientkiewicz get a promotion to the big leagues?

I'm guessing once Molitor is gone. Either as his replacement or as a coach for whoever does eventually replace him.

 

Coming off of last year, with a new regime in the front office, any manager would probably spend the year looking over his shoulder at someone that at least appears to be a big league manager in waiting if they were brought in.

 

Kind of like Gardy seemed to do with Molly when he came in or at least when it was suggested that he should be.

[Squirrel]

Seth, how much of Molitor's input do these last coaching hires have? Or are

these all on Falvey-Levine or equal input?

[drjim]

 

A little disappointed no minorities were added this off season.

 

You mean other than the hitting coach?

[spinowner]

 

Just some quick notes based on comments above:

 

 

1.) I had heard player issues with Jeff Smith, but they were from 6-8 years ago... My understanding is that he's got a pretty strong relationship with the current group that is reaching the big leagues now. And that included MIguel Sano. The benching for 4-5 games in New Britain all those years ago was much ado about nothing. Sano and Smith have a good relationship.

 

2.) As far as moving Hernandez from the dugout to the video room, it's like a 15 step walk. He'll likely still be very involved in talking to players throughout the game. 

 

 

What was the benching about? Are details of any variety known?

As I recall, Sano hit a long home run and, shall I say, over-celebrated. While that might be standard behavior in the Dominican here in the US that could lead to a fast ball in the ribs. (Many of us will remember the long discussion we had about this issue during the last year.) So Smith sat him down to reinforce that the home run itself is demonstrative enough and that there's no need to rub it in the opposing team's collective face.

I'll edit this to add that I would guess that the suspension was also to let other teams know that the Twins organization was handling the issue so that other teams didn't need to add their own input in the form of the aforementioned fast ball in the ribs.

[Halsey Hall]

 

As I recall, Sano hit a long home run and, shall I say, over-celebrated. While that might be standard behavior in the Dominican here in the US that could lead to a fast ball in the ribs. (Many of us will remember the long discussion we had about this issue during the last year.) So Smith sat him down to reinforce that the home run itself is demonstrative enough and that there's no need to rub it in the opposing team's collective face.

I'll edit this to add that I would guess that the suspension was also to let other teams know that the Twins organization was handling the issue so that other teams didn't need to add their own input in the form of the aforementioned fast ball in the ribs.

Prior to hitting the home run, he and the pitcher he hit it off of were team mates and got into it.  No punches but a lot of heat talk.  The pitcher got traded to another team and when Sano jacked one, he acted out. 

[Winston Smith]

 

You mean other than the hitting coach?

Added him but subtracted the first base coach. Didn't change the ratio any.

[diehardtwinsfan]

I guess I don't understand the fixation with Hispanic hires here (which is what I'm assuming the minority comment is about).  I want the Twins to field the best possible candidate for the job description as it's written. If that's a minority, by all means hire him/her.  If not, don't.  (side note, I don't subscribe to the idea that coaches have no or minimal impact to the product on the field).

 

I get the need to have more Spanish speakers in particular in the org, but that can accomplished with non-coaching positions too.  Bottom line, let's get the best possible coaches out there, and if we need to bring in more support to do it, then by all means do that as well.  But let's not shoehorn a person into a role simply because they may be bi-lingual.  There's value in that, and I don't want to disparage that, but it should not trump all things.