2017 Twins Minor League Coaching Staffs

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

The Keys really?  I would have guessed SoBe would be more the speed.  If you haven't been down to the Keys and you're in Florida, you are missing out.  Great bar walking scene down Duval St, Southernmost Point, Hemingway House, snorkeling, diving, fishing, the beach is not that great.  If drunken naked people bother you, just don't go around Fantasy Fest, think Mardi Gras for older people. The Key West Express from Ft. Myers to the Keys is only $125 each way and a 3hr boat ride.  

 

I had no idea Burkie went to a Chiropractic School for his Master's Degree.

 

I didn't realize the keys was a college town for people well past their college years...

 

My only picture of it is from bloodlines (Netflix).  Never been there.

[Seth Stohs]

Toby Gardenhire to coach in the GCL.

 

 

[Bob Sacamento]

 

Toby Gardenhire to coach in the GCL.

 

Toby was an assistant last year in the GCL, hitting coach/3rd base.  Toby worked alot in the book/charts during the game.  Wonder where Ramon Borrego goes, he had been at GCL for at least the past two years if not longer, had a great rapport with the Hispanic players which encompasses a good part of the squad.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Toby was an assistant last year in the GCL, hitting coach/3rd base.  Toby worked alot in the book/charts during the game.  Wonder where Ramon Borrego goes, he had been at GCL for at least the past two years if not longer, had a great rapport with the Hispanic players which encompasses a good part of the squad.

 

I've head nothing that would indicate that Ramon wouldn't be back. 

 

Last year, the GCL coaches were:

 

Manager: Ramon Borrego

Hitting Coaches: Javier Valentin, Steve Singleton

Pitching Coaches: Cibney Bello, Virgil Vasquez

 

All we know - from this report - is that Toby Gardenhire has a job in the Twins system, and I've heard that it is as a hitting coach in the GCL.

[Seth Stohs]

Last night in Venezuela, catcher Jairo Rodriguez announced that he was retiring from Aragua and from playing for the Twins. He also noted that he will be a coach in the Twins minor leagues. Could be in the DSL, or the GCL. Or really anywhere. 

 

Jeff Smith worked with minor league catchers during the spring, so maybe Jairo will kind of take over that role. 

[Seth Stohs]

Was told that Jairo will be a coach in the Dominican Summer League. Great place to start for him!

[goulik]

Good for Jairo and bravo to the new Twins heads for giving the guy respect for what he has offered the organization!

[Seth Stohs]

Cedar Rapids announced on Saturday that they are bringing back their hitting coach and pitching coach from last year. Joining first-time manager Tommy Watkins will be Brian Dinkelman (hitting) and JP Martinez (pitching).

[Seth Stohs]

Per Mike Berardino's article on the Twins hitting summit recently in Ft. Myers, Steve Singleton will move up from the GCL to Ft. Myers to take on hitting coach duties... 

 

I may or may not have know that a few weeks ago... 

[drjim]

 

Per Mike Berardino's article on the Twins hitting summit recently in Ft. Myers, Steve Singleton will move up from the GCL to Ft. Myers to take on hitting coach duties... 

 

I may or may not have know that a few weeks ago... 

 

It's a Sid Hartman scoop!

[goulik]

Has anyone else noticed that in an organization where we have been worried about pitching development the new bosses (who are known to be strong on that side) have yet to put in place our minor league pitching coaches while we know most of the hitting coaches? Interesting...

[Seth Stohs]

 

Has anyone else noticed that in an organization where we have been worried about pitching development the new bosses (who are known to be strong on that side) have yet to put in place our minor league pitching coaches while we know most of the hitting coaches? Interesting...

 

I would say that they've already been placed (I assume)... from what I've heard and such, the only real coaching spot open is the Chattanooga hitting coach. I'm pretty sure that, although we haven't heard any releases quite yet, the Chattanooga and Ft. Myers pitching coaches are already set. 

[Mr. Brooks]

I would say that they've already been placed (I assume)... from what I've heard and such, the only real coaching spot open is the Chattanooga hitting coach. I'm pretty sure that, although we haven't heard any releases quite yet, the Chattanooga and Ft. Myers pitching coaches are already set.

I find it hilarious how secretive pro sports management is.

Why would you have coaches in place and not reveal it? Hoping for a competitive advantage against your opening day opponent?

[Seth Stohs]

 

I find it hilarious how secretive pro sports management is.
Why would you have coaches in place and not reveal it? Hoping for a competitive advantage against your opening day opponent?

 

They are going to let the affiliates determine when they want to announce it, most likely. I'm sure it'll be this week. Also, until then, anything could change. 

[Thrylos]

Chattanooga:  Ivan Arteaga pitching coach, Javier Valentin hitting coach.

[Seth Stohs]

Both Ft. Myers and Chattanooga announced their coaching staffs today...

 

 

Miracle:

 

 

 

Lookouts:

 

https://twitter.com/ChattLookouts/status/826462941193105409 

[Seth Stohs]

The Twins make it official... here are the E-Twins and Rochester coaching staffs (updated in the original post)

 

E-Town:

 

Mgr - Ray Smith

HC - Jeff Reed

PC - Luis Ramirez

 

GCL

 

Mgr: Ramon Borrego

HC: Toby Gardenhire and Jose Marzan

PC: Virgil Vazquez and Cibney Bello

[Seth Stohs]

For those interested, here is the full press release, which also mentions the DSL coaching staff and Tony Oliva's role:

 

 

 

TWINS ANNOUNCE 2017
MINOR LEAGUE STAFF ASSIGNMENTS

                 Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN — The Minnesota Twins announced today that their minor league managerial and coaching positions have been filled for the 2017 season.

                 Mike Quade will manage the Twins Triple-A affiliate Rochester Red Wings for the third straight season. Quade spent 2013-14 as a roving outfield and baserunning instructor for the New York Yankees. Prior to that, he served as Chicago Cubs Manager from 2010-11, Cubs coach from 2007-10, Triple-A Iowa (Cubs) manager from 2003-07, Oakland Athletics coach from 2000-02 and a minor league manager at various levels from 1985-99.  Stu Cliburn returns as Rochester’s pitching coach, a position he held from 2006-08.  2017 will mark Cliburn’s 26th season in the Twins organization.  Chad Allen returns for his second consecutive season as Rochester’s hitting coach after spending 2013-15 as hitting coach with Twins Double-A affiliates.  Larry Bennese will begin his fifth season as the Red Wings trainer and 22nd in the Twins organization. Tyler Burks will join the Red Wings as strength and conditioning coach, which will mark his second in the Twins organization.  Burks spent most of 2016 with GCL Twins and finished the season with Double-A Chattanooga.

                 Jake Mauer will begin his 10th year as a manager in the Twins system and first with Double-A Chattanooga.  He spent four seasons as manager of the Twins Single-A affiliate Cedar Rapids Kernels from 2013-16. Mauer was manager at Ft. Myers from 2010-12, managed the GCL Twins from 2008-09 and also coached three seasons in the GCL.  Ivan Arteaga begins his second season as pitching coach of the Lookouts, and his 17th season as a pitching coach in the Twins organization.  Javier Valentin will begin his first season as hitting coach for the Lookouts and his fourth season as coach in the Twins system; he played in the Twins organization from 1993-2002.  Chris Johnson returns for his fifth season as trainer for the Twins Double-A affiliate and his 12th overall as a trainer in the Twins system.

                 Doug Mientkiewicz will enter his fifth season as a manager in the Twins organization.  He returns to Single-A Ft. Myers after spending the previous two seasons as manager for Double-A Chattanooga.  He managed at Ft. Myers from 2013-14.  Mientkiewicz managed the Lookouts to the Southern League championship in 2015 and managed Single-A Ft. Myers to the Florida State League championship in 2014.  Steve Singleton will begin his first season as hitting coach at Ft. Myers, after spending 2016 as hitting coach for GCL Twins.  Henry Bonilla will spend his second season as pitching coach for the Miracle after spending 2015 with Single-A Cedar Rapids, 2013-14 with Rookie Level Elizabethton and 2012 with the GCL Twins. Alan Rail will begin his fifth season as the Miracle trainer after eight seasons with Beloit (2005-12) and one with Elizabethton (2004).

                 Tommy Watkins will manage Single-A Cedar Rapids, marking his first professional managing job. He spent 2016 as hitting coach for Chattanooga.  2017 will mark his eighth overall season as a manager or coach in the Twins system. J.P. Martinez will begin his third season as pitching coach in the Twins system and second with the Kernels after serving as GCL pitching coach in 2015. Brian Dinkelman will begin his second season as hitting coach for Cedar Rapids and third season as a coach in the Twins organization. Steve Taylor begins his second season as the Kernels trainer after spending 2015 as the trainer in Elizabethton and 2013-14 with the GCL Twins.

                 Ray Smith returns as manager for the Rookie Level Elizabethton Twins.  Smith, who will be in his 31st season on staff for Elizabethton (24th as manager), has a career managerial record of 936-621 (.601) with 12 first place finishes in 22 seasons. Luis Ramirez returns as Elizabethton’s pitching coach for the third consecutive season after spending 2013-14 with the GCL Twins and 2006-13 with the Twins Venezuelan Baseball Academy. Jeff Reed returns to Elizabethton for his 16th season as hitting coach.  Davey La Croix will serve as trainer, marking his first season in the Twins organization after spending 2015-16 with the DSL Reds.

                 Ramon Borrego will begin his eighth season with the Rookie Level Gulf Coast League Twins, and seventh season as manager. Virgil Vasquez returns for his third consecutive season as GCL pitching coach.  Cibney Bello will return for his second season with GCL as pitching coach/rehab.  He spent four seasons as a coach in the Mariners system, including 2014-15 as pitching coach for Single-A Clinton.  Toby Gardenhire will serve as hitting coach for the GCL Twins, his first season as a professional coach. Gardenhire played seven seasons in the Twins minor league system from 2005-11.  Jose Marzan will serve as coach for GCL as well as Latin American Operations Coordinator. Axel Lopez returns to GCL as trainer for the third consecutive season. Phil Hartt will serve as GCL’s strength and conditioning coach.

                 Asdrubal Estrada will manage the DSL Twins, as 2017 will mark his 15th season in the Twins organization.  Manuel Santana returns as the DSL Twins pitching coach.  Jimmy Alvarez, Leury Bonilla and Jairo Rodriguez will all serve as coaches for DSL Twins.  Carlos Frias will begin his fourth year as the DSL trainer and Wladimir Morales will begin his first as trainer for DSL after spending 2016 at the Venezuelan Academy.

                 In addition, Joel Lepel returns for his 12th year as the Twins minor league field coordinator, Eric Rasmussen returns for his ninth season as pitching coordinator, and Sam Perlozzo will return as the minor league infield and baserunning coordinator for the fourth year. Rick Eckstein will begin his second season with the club as the hitting coordinator.  He spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach with the University of Kentucky. Chad Jackson enters his 16th season with the Twins and fifth as the club’s head minor league trainer and rehab coordinator. Erik Beiser will begin his fifth season as minor league strength and conditioning coordinator. Corey Dietze will begin his fourth year as the club’s minor league rehab assistant. David Jeffrey will begin his third season as the minor league video coordinator. Brian Maloney enters his 12th season and second as Senior Manager of Florida Operations. Dave Ringler returns for his 21st season as equipment manager.  Rafael Yanez returns for his third season as Florida and Latin American Operations Assistant. Victor Gonzalez will serve as Florida Operations Assistant, marking his first season.

                 Former Twins great Tony Oliva will continue in his role as hitting coach, in addition to his community relations activities with the club.

[Mike Sixel]

Seth, across the minors, how much changed? I didn't expect huge changes this first year, just curious.

 

edit: it appears you posted the above as I asked, thanks,

[Seth Stohs]

 

Seth, across the minors, how much changed? I didn't expect huge changes this first year, just curious.

 

edit: it appears you posted the above as I asked, thanks,

 

I think I updated that in the original post.

 

Rochester - nothing

Chattanooga - Mauer up, Mientkiewicz down. Valentin for Watkins

Ft. Myers - Dwyer retired, Mientkiewicz returned, Singleton up

Cedar Rapids - Watkins in, Mauer moved up. 

ET - no change

GCL - With Valentin and Singleton up, Toby Gardenhire and Marzan in.

[Seth Stohs]

Here's a nice David Dorsey article on the retirement of Jim Dwyer, and the return of Doug Mientkiewicz to the Miracle. 

 

http://www.news-press.com/story/sports/2017/02/02/jim-dwyer-66-retires-fort-myers-miracle-minnesota-twins/97352226/

 

 

[Thrylos]

 

I think I updated that in the original post.

 

Rochester - nothing

Chattanooga - Mauer up, Mientkiewicz down. Valentin for Watkins

Ft. Myers - Dwyer retired, Mientkiewicz returned, Singleton up

Cedar Rapids - Watkins in, Mauer moved up. 

ET - no change

GCL - With Valentin and Singleton up, Toby Gardenhire and Marzan in.

 

I was expecting some changes as far as the coordinators go... Rasmussen has been the pitching coordinator for ever and pretty much proven that he cannot help develop pitchers.  Maybe 2017 an evaluation period of all of them as pretty much all of the Twins' staff goes.  Still surprising. 

 

[Seth Stohs]

 

I was expecting some changes as far as the coordinators go... Rasmussen has been the pitching coordinator for ever and pretty much proven that he cannot help develop pitchers.  Maybe 2017 an evaluation period of all of them as pretty much all of the Twins' staff goes.  Still surprising. 

 

That's pretty much the strategy that Falvey and Levine have utilized across the board. Don't just get rid of people. Evaluate them. I'm guessing by September, there'll be more changes, and we'll see which ones are able to adjust and thrive under the new regime... as it should be. 

[Bob Sacamento]

 

I was expecting some changes as far as the coordinators go... Rasmussen has been the pitching coordinator for ever and pretty much proven that he cannot help develop pitchers.  Maybe 2017 an evaluation period of all of them as pretty much all of the Twins' staff goes.  Still surprising. 

Completely understand the FO wanting to evaluate the coaches/coordinators themselves for a season before making any sweeping changes.  But I'll be surprised if this time next year Rasmussen is the pitching coordinator.

 

Also glad to see the GCL guys Singleton and Valentin get a promotion.