2019/2020 Twins Minor League Coaching Changes

[Seth Stohs]

http://www.startribune.com/bench-coach-derek-shelton-to-interview-with-mets-pirates/562941602/ 

 

According to the Star Tribune, the Rochester Red Wings will have a new coaching staff in 2020. 

 

Manager Joel Skinner, Hitting Coach Javier Valentin, and pitching coach Stu Cliburn have all been "let go." 

 

Cliburn had spent 28 seasons in the organization. 

 

 

In addition, the article notes the GCL hitting coach Caleb Abney will not be back in 2020... I'd kind of been hearing that there could be changes made at that level. 

[Seth Stohs]

The Twins called up quite a few players from the Red Wings again this year. And I think we can all say that they seemed much more prepared than they had in previous years. 

 

Littell, Stashak, Dobnak, Thorpe, Smeltzer, and others came up and contributed to the team's 101-win season. 

 

Skinner was brought up for September as an extra coach. 

[old nurse]

Cliburn will be 63 soon. It might be tough for him to find a new job in the analytical age. Skinner is not that far behind. I would guess they are looking to make the staffs of the minor leagues an extension of the major league staff. The pitching did not develop when you look at Romero, DeJong,  Thorpe, Stewart, Reed, and Vasquez. The hitters appeared to do fine down there in development. Defensively, don't know.

[Ben Noble]

 

The Twins called up quite a few players from the Red Wings again this year. And I think we can all say that they seemed much more prepared than they had in previous years.  

 

Any speculation then on why so much turnover in the AAA coaching staff?

[Seth Stohs]

 

Any speculation then on why so much turnover in the AAA coaching staff?

 

I would imagine it is something philosophical, maybe. 

[jkcarew]

Javier Valentin: The Red Wings led the IL in BA, were second in runs scored, and third in OPS; then there's the matter of how well-prepared call-up bats like Arraez, Cave, Wade were...

 

If his dismissal has anything to do with "not fitting in" (nobody was stupid enough to utter anything like this, I assume) with the modern/analytical approach...he should sue the Twins for every penny he can. Although, he won't have trouble getting a new gig.

[DocBauer]

Very surprised here, especially in the case of Cliburn. Really thought he was highly respected. Romero had a disaster of a season, but at both levels, not just AAA. Almost everyone else brought up looked ready and contributed.

 

I find this odd.

[nicksaviking]

 

Javier Valentin: The Red Wings led the IL in BA, were second in runs scored, and third in OPS; then there's the matter of how well-prepared call-up bats like Arraez, Cave, Wade were...

 

If his dismissal has anything to do with "not fitting in" (nobody was stupid enough to utter anything like this, I assume) with the modern/analytical approach...he should sue the Twins for every penny he can. Although, he won't have trouble getting a new gig.

 

I have no clue about his analytical capabilities nor if having those proclivities at the AAA at all matters to the organization, but if that's what the organization wants, it seems like their prerogative to find individuals who fit that bill. What is there to sue about? 

[jkcarew]

 

I have no clue about his analytical capabilities nor if having those proclivities at the AAA at all matters to the organization, but if that's what the organization wants, it seems like their prerogative to find individuals who fit that bill. What is there to sue about? 

Probably nothing. IMO, the crowd that is obsessed with the analytics angle is vulnerable to acts/thoughts/comments that border on age-discrimination (as though someone over 50 somehow can't understand math). But Valentin is younger than I thought...only 44...not sure he's of the generation that has been pigeon-holed in that manner. Still...IMO, it kind of looks odd to let him go after that season. (It also probably matters, a little anyway, whether he had a contract for 2020 or not.)

[lamiwe21]

the success of Pensacola and how that staff dealt with the numerous roster changes probably has something to do with it. Pensacola only had the same position players in the lineup a total of 9 times in back to back games.

 

Ramon Borrego will be interviewing for a MLB managerial position at some point. 

[insagt1]

I watch every Red Wings game. It was revealed to me that the Twins called 'every shot' this year. Apparently Skinner had very little input...but you can be sure this is not what the public will hear. I found Skinner to be a very sterile manager. Didn't get the least bit involved with the fans and we didn't see much of him anywhere else. He has a good pedigree but he wasn't the best fit in Rochester..with the caveat that perhaps he had very little control of anything.

Cliburn also a very accomplished coach...who was a failure this year. Our pitching staff was a nightmare. Guys were carrying ERA's of over 6 to 10 deep into the season. It wasn't until the very end when dobnak, Smeltzer and Stashak came up from AA, that we got some decent innings. So letting him go is probably justified. The hitting coach...I have no opinion on. The Wings were a hitting machine this season.  A lot of k;s...but also a lot of clutch hits. Had our pitching been even middle of the pack, we would have won our division. The pitchers cost us many games...emphasis on many. The one that really sticks in our minds was the 20-18 loss to Lehigh early on. There were no words for that mess.

 

As far as analytics go....personally (and this is just my old man opinion), there are far too many..and they are killing the game part of the game. Its a game...not rocket science...per se. It has gone way overboard. Does the average fan see a HR and immediately go....ooooh what was the launch angle and exit velocity? How many fans know about WAR..with all the little initials in front? 

It will be interesting to see who they hire going forward. Will they stay within the organization or look outside? A minor league baseball team is quite different than a major league one...in the way it presents to the community.Many major league fans don't understand this. We have a strong history; we value winning; we also understand our role as a farm team. Its a very tender balance...when it all works.

While Minnesota Twins have pretty much zero footprint in our community as far as a team they root for...and much of this is because the media is so in love with all things Yankee...they have been a good parent and have provided us with decent talent. While we haven't won anything during the Twins Era..we remain hopeful. I would love to see a manager who has some personality; and a real desire to win a Governor's Cup here....AND one who gets to push a few buttons and make decisions. If that isn't the case...thats a huge MINUS against the Twins here.

 

Guess we'll have to see. Last thing...someone mentioned defense. It was only so-so in 2019. Could be better but not horrible.

[Thrylos]

 

 

If his dismissal has anything to do with "not fitting in" (nobody was stupid enough to utter anything like this, I assume) with the modern/analytical approach...he should sue the Twins for every penny he can.

 

Bit of a technicality, but a huge legal one:  It was not a dismissal.   All minor league coaches have annual contracts.  His contract expired.  The Twins chose not to tender him (and the rest) a contract for next year.  

 

Nobody got fired or "let go".  They were free agents.

[Seth Stohs]

 

 

[nicksaviking]

 

 

A catching coach? Is he going to be like a roving instructor? Of is he going to be a specialty coach for Rochester? This sounds a bit unique and the way I'm picturing it, I like it. The all-bat/sketchy-glove catching prospects usually end up at another position. If a team figures out a way to keep these guys behind the plate, that's a pretty big score. These types of players seem to be on the Twins radar come draft day, Ryan Jeffers and Chris Williams came to mind when I read this post.

[Rosterman]

The Twins had a catching coach working out of Ft. Myers this past sesaon.

 

[SpicyGarvSauce]

Man, the Twins have sure invested a lot into their catching coaching/development program since Falvey & Levine took over.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Man, the Twins have sure invested a lot into their catching coaching/development program since Falvey & Levine took over.

 

They've spent a ton of money on the player development side, extra coaches, extra coordinators, etc. They were already doing some technology things, but they've spent a ton more on that stuff too. 

[DocBauer]

This kind of stuff is huge. And I apologize, I can't recall the name of the primary catching "coordinator" the Twins brought on board, but they changed everything from crouch behind the plate, to getting batting practice on early before fatigue set in.

 

There are hitting coaches, pitching coaches, infield coaches, but I've always felt true catcher coaching was left behind. As nicksaviking states, how about keeping good bats behind the plate by making them decent/good catchers? And it's rather obvious this is the thinking of the Twins brain trust these days.

[DocBauer]

A catching coach? Is he going to be like a roving instructor? Of is he going to be a specialty coach for Rochester? This sounds a bit unique and the way I'm picturing it, I like it. The all-bat/sketchy-glove catching prospects usually end up at another position. If a team figures out a way to keep these guys behind the plate, that's a pretty big score. These types of players seem to be on the Twins radar come draft day, Ryan Jeffers and Chris Williams came to mind when I read this post.

Great question. Anyone know what size of a staff a milb team can have? Just like the ML teams, there must be some pre determined limit.

[goulik]

I watch every Red Wings game. It was revealed to me that the Twins called 'every shot' this year. Apparently Skinner had very little input...but you can be sure this is not what the public will hear. I found Skinner to be a very sterile manager. Didn't get the least bit involved with the fans and we didn't see much of him anywhere else. He has a good pedigree but he wasn't the best fit in Rochester..with the caveat that perhaps he had very little control of anything.

Cliburn also a very accomplished coach...who was a failure this year. Our pitching staff was a nightmare. Guys were carrying ERA's of over 6 to 10 deep into the season. It wasn't until the very end when dobnak, Smeltzer and Stashak came up from AA, that we got some decent innings. So letting him go is probably justified. The hitting coach...I have no opinion on. The Wings were a hitting machine this season.  A lot of k;s...but also a lot of clutch hits. Had our pitching been even middle of the pack, we would have won our division. The pitchers cost us many games...emphasis on many. The one that really sticks in our minds was the 20-18 loss to Lehigh early on. There were no words for that mess.

 

As far as analytics go....personally (and this is just my old man opinion), there are far too many..and they are killing the game part of the game. Its a game...not rocket science...per se. It has gone way overboard. Does the average fan see a HR and immediately go....ooooh what was the launch angle and exit velocity? How many fans know about WAR..with all the little initials in front? 

It will be interesting to see who they hire going forward. Will they stay within the organization or look outside? A minor league baseball team is quite different than a major league one...in the way it presents to the community.Many major league fans don't understand this. We have a strong history; we value winning; we also understand our role as a farm team. Its a very tender balance...when it all works.

While Minnesota Twins have pretty much zero footprint in our community as far as a team they root for...and much of this is because the media is so in love with all things Yankee...they have been a good parent and have provided us with decent talent. While we haven't won anything during the Twins Era..we remain hopeful. I would love to see a manager who has some personality; and a real desire to win a Governor's Cup here....AND one who gets to push a few buttons and make decisions. If that isn't the case...thats a huge MINUS against the Twins here.

 

Guess we'll have to see. Last thing...someone mentioned defense. It was only so-so in 2019. Could be better but not horrible.

Thank you so much for this insight. My favorite part of the minor league forum is when fans and media from our affiliates give us insight we could never know from afar even with our occasional visits to those affiliates. Watching our success at other minor league levels the last several years, I have felt bad that Rochester has not also been a champion. We need that to change both in AAA and at the MLB levels.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Brandon reported this news this morning... 

 

Fatse was hired last offseason to be the new Twins minor league hitting coordinator. He took over for Rick Eckstein who went to the Pirates as their hitting coach. 

[Seth Stohs]

The Twins have hired a minor league infield coach. 

 

 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

This kind of stuff is huge. And I apologize, I can't recall the name of the primary catching "coordinator" the Twins brought on board, but they changed everything from crouch behind the plate, to getting batting practice on early before fatigue set in.

There are hitting coaches, pitching coaches, infield coaches, but I've always felt true catcher coaching was left behind. As nicksaviking states, how about keeping good bats behind the plate by making them decent/good catchers? And it's rather obvious this is the thinking of the Twins brain trust these days.

Tanner Swanson is the minor league catching coordinator. Garver worked with him extensively last offseason too. That man needs a promotion ASAP! https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/mitch-garver-wasnt-catching-strikes-so-he-changed-his-catching-stance/

[Seth Stohs]

Twins add a minor league hitting coach:

 

 

[Seth Stohs]

This is a big loss....

 

 

[bird]

 

This is a big loss....

 

 

 

Hard to outsmart 'em when ya can't outspend 'em.

[Seth Stohs]

https://theathletic.com/1343712/?source=twittered

 

In this article from The Athletic, the discussion is about who the next wave of Pitching Coaches might be. Twins assistant pitching coach Jeremy Hefner is featured, but Pensacola pitching coach Justin Willard is also mentioned. 

[Rosterman]

 

This kind of stuff is huge. And I apologize, I can't recall the name of the primary catching "coordinator" the Twins brought on board, but they changed everything from crouch behind the plate, to getting batting practice on early before fatigue set in.

There are hitting coaches, pitching coaches, infield coaches, but I've always felt true catcher coaching was left behind. As nicksaviking states, how about keeping good bats behind the plate by making them decent/good catchers? And it's rather obvious this is the thinking of the Twins brain trust these days.

The Twins have always been pretty lucky. In the past they had Phil Roof who would come to spring training as a catching coach, and also utilize the talents on demand of Terry Steinbach. We forget that the Elizabethton Twins where every catcher seems to pass is headed by Jeff Reed and Ray Smith, both fine catchers.

[Seth Stohs]

 

[Rosterman]

Aaron Sutton to be new Ft. Myers Miracle manager, from Montana State University!