Dinkelman Named Minor-League Manager of the Year by Baseball America

[Seth Stohs]

Last in December, Baseball America was handing out its final awards of the year. One of those awards was minor-league manager of the year, and Cedar Rapids Kernels' Brian Dinkelman earned the honor. Look back at his story, from his playing days to his coaching and managerial career. And hear from several member of the 2023 Midwest League championship about what makes "Dink" such an admired coach. 

Image courtesy of Steve Buhr (photo of Brian Dinkelman talking hitting with then-prospect Royce Lewis in 2018)

Recently, Baseball America named Cedar Rapids Kernels manager Brian Dinkelman the 2023 Minor League Manager of the Year. I caught up with several of his players about what it was like to play for him. 

The Minnesota Twins moved their Low-A Midwest League affiliate from Beloit, Wisconsin, to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, before the 2013 season. That first season, the Kernels roster included the likes of Byron Buxton, Jorge Polanco, Jose Berrios, Max Kepler, Tyler Duffey, and several other future big leaguers. Adam Brett Walker was the league’s leader in home runs and RBI and the league's MVP. That team made the Midwest League playoffs. 

Every season since then, the Kernels have made the playoffs. The only year they haven’t made the playoffs was 2020, when there was no minor-league season. Since 2021, the Midwest League has jumped up to a High-A league. 

It was a special season in Cedar Rapids in 2023. In my mind, expectations were low for this team. Their roster consisted of a lot of very talented but very young and inexperienced prospects. The pitching staff started with some 2021 draft picks but, by season’s end, was filled with starting pitchers finishing up their first full seasons. On paper, I thought this was a good year for prospects in Cedar Rapids, but it likely wouldn’t be a winning team.

But, they don’t play the games on paper. They play the games on milb.tv. 

In the first half, the Kernels went 40-26 and won the Midwest League West division by seven games. That clinched another playoff spot for the Kernels. Then, in the second half, the Kernels were even better. They went 42-24 and led the division by six games. They had a +126 run differential overall and an 82-50 record, which was 13 games better than anyone else in their division. 

In the playoffs, the Kernels topped Peoria in three games. In the finals, they topped Great Lakes in three games to win their first Midwest League championship since 1994. 

Brian Dinkelman was not a highly-touted prospect coming out of Centralia (IL) High School. He made the 43-mile drive west to Lebanon (IL), home of McKendree University. Just east of St. Louis, the population of Lebanon is just over 4,000 people. McKendree is an NAIA baseball program. 

(Time Out for some Trivia: When Brian Dinkelman debuted in the big leagues, he became just the second player from Centralia High School and the second player from McKendree University to play in the big leagues. Both of the other players have ties to the Minnesota Twins. Who is the other former big leaguer from Centralia HS and McKendree U? Answers at the end of this article.)

Over his four college seasons, “Dink” broke just about every McKendree hitting record. He led the team to four straight conference tournament championships. One could argue that he is among the best players ever to play NAIA baseball. When he graduated, he held NAIA records with 373 hits, 96 doubles, 303 runs scored, 670 total bases and 679 fielding assists. 

He was an NAIA All-American three times, including first-team twice. He was the conference Player of the Year three times after he was named the Freshman of the Year in his first season. He was inducted into the McKendree Hall of Fame in 2012. 

In 2006, the Twins selected Dinkelman with their eighth-round pick. He gradually, maybe even slowly, worked his way up the Twins organizational ladder. He was willing to play anywhere, learning the outfield (and becoming solid defensively). He was a solid all-around, line-drive hitter. He was a Harmon Killebrew Award winner for community service once. 

Finally, in June 2011, Dinkelman got The Call to the big leagues. Trevor Plouffe was optioned, and the Twins selected Dinkelman's contract. He made his big-league debut on June 4th in Kansas City against the Royals. What an interesting debut. Dinkelman reached by being hit by a pitch, walking, and with a single. Approximately two weeks later, he was returned to Rochester when Joe Mauer came off the 60-Day IL. 

In September, he returned to the Twins roster for the season's final month and played almost daily. He had three hits against the White Sox in his first game back. From September 17-21, he had a five-game hitting streak. He had three hits, four hits, two hits, one hit, and then two hits in those games. Overall, he had 78 plate appearances over 23 games. He hit .301 with a double. He stole two bases. He played 11 games at second base and five in each corner outfield spot. 

He was outrighted after the season and quickly re-signed with the Twins. He spent two more seasons with the Red Wings but never reached the big leagues again. 

After a year back in Centralia, the Twins contacted Dinkelman about coaching. He was interested and joined the organization as a hitting coach in the GCL. In 2016, he joined the Kernels as a hitting coach under Jake Mauer, Toby Gardenhire, and Tommy Watkins. In 2019, he became the Kernels manager and has a 300-223 record over those four seasons. 

He committed to the area when he joined the Kernels in Cedar Rapids as a coach in 2016. He and his wife moved to Cedar Rapids and live there year-round. He is active with the organization, community, fans, and front office. He knows how to coach, manage, and lead baseball players and young men. 

And most of the young players he interacts with have grown to appreciate him. Here are some thoughts from some 2023 Kernels in their own words: 

RHP Malik Barrington
“Brian is one of the best managers I’ve played for. I think it comes from his time as a player. He understands us as professionals, what we need, and how to communicate with us, whether just joking with us daily or breaking down the fundamentals of the game. As a pitcher, I didn’t get “coached” by him a lot because we have pitching coaches, but to see him day in and day out work with and develop the infield guys, whether in BP or early work. He’s able to relate to the guys and makes it a fun atmosphere and team to be on.” 

Barrington recounted one day in particular. “I got to the field super early, and I was bored. So, as any pitcher would do, I hopped in the batting cage for some swings. As I’m in there by myself, Brian comes in. I’m expecting to get scolded for being in there, but instead, he hops in after me and starts to take some swings himself, and it just becomes a game. That’s the type of manager he is - just fun to be around and always welcomes anyone in.”  

LHP Jaylen Nowlin: 
“What makes Dink such a great manager, in my opinion, is his experience as a former player. He really understands how the game has its highs and lows. There was a time we went on a losing streak, and instead of telling us everything we needed to do better, he just reminded us that things like that would happen. So keep playing your game.” 

RHP Mike Paredes 
“What makes Dink such a good manager is his ability to keep the clubhouse relaxed and motivated. With his personal playing experience in both the minor and major leagues, you can tell he knows how to build strong team chemistry throughout an entire season.” 

He added, “Playing for Dink is a privilege. He’s one of my favorite managers to play for, and he truly understands what it takes to push through the hard times and to stay motivated through the good times.” 

LHP Christian MacLeod
“Playing for Brian this past year in Cedar Rapids was a blast. He was fun to be around and always kept things loose, but he also had high expectations for the guys to work hard and play hard. Having Brian as the manager and an awesome group of guys in the locker room made the 2023 season one of the most fun years of baseball I’ve had.” 

RHP Regi Grace 
“What makes him a good manager is that he has already experienced what it’s like to be between the white lines. He knows the day-to-day frustrations and mindset it takes to prepare for baseball games.” 

He added, “We were at batting practice once, and I had a hat backward. All he did was whistle, and I know what that meant - turn my hat around. There’s power in people that don’t have to speak much.” 

RHP Kyle Jones 
“I really respected how he was the same guy every day regardless of how the team was playing or what happened the night before. One thing I will say is that I was with the Kernels since opening day, and I can't remember anyone on the team ever having an issue with anything he did or how he ran the team. Spending a whole season with a manager like that made the season much better and probably contributed a lot to our success this season.

OF Kala’i Rosario 
“Brian’s got a good feel for the players, and he knows the game well, so it makes it easy for us to trust him and follow his lead. We started the year a little slow, but Dink always said we just had to get through April, and we’ll be fine. Right after that month, we took off and never looked back. (It was) Very easy to play for him. We know that he trusted us and that we would do our job, so it made the game a lot easier knowing that we all had that confidence in one another.” 

The 2023 Midwest League MVP continued, “I’ve got lots of respect for Dink. He’s got a lot of experience in the game, and we know he knows how to get us to the next level. Always a good vibe with him, and I believe it’s what made our team chemistry elite.”

OF Willie Joe Garry 
“He’s a Skip who I really enjoyed playing for because we shared the same position. I valued his thoughts on the outfield positions. He’s a hustle-first type of coach, and his pushing on me helped my game in so many ways. For example, we were in a game, and I hit a single the other way on my first at-bat. I made it to first but didn’t get out of the box hard, so there wasn’t even an idea of going to second for the hustle double. I ended up at third, and he got on me for not getting out of the box hard because 'there’s a chance the left fielder bobbles the ball, and we can snag second.' Well, fast-forward to my very next at-bat. I hit the ball in the same spot and busted it out of the box. Of course, the left fielder bobbled the ball, and I got to second base easily. I looked at him and just laughed. It’s the small things like that that I feel add up and help players progress to the next level. Just another reason he’s so admired by players and coaches.” 

C Noah Cardenas 
“Dink has been one of my favorite coaches since I’ve been in pro ball. His ability to feel out situations and keep up with the players is great. What makes him such a good manager was that he brought a great attitude and personality to the field every day.” 

C Andrew Cossetti 
“There is nobody more deserving than Dink for that award. He is the ultimate players' coach. He can joke around with you and have fun but also put his arm around you and tell you what needs to be done. I think being a former big leaguer helps. Having the experience helps him to understand what players want in a manager. He’s a guy I can go up to and ask for advice on anything because I know he’s been there before. He has his players’ backs, and we all had his. I’d run through a wall for Dink. He made me play the game harder, knowing I could get him the ring he deserved.” 

Congratulations to Brian Dinkelman on a well-deserved honor! 

Answers
When Brian Dinkelman made his MLB debut, he became the second person from Centralia (IL) High School to play in the big leagues. The other? Twins Hall of Famer Gary Gaetti attended Centralia High School before going to Lake Land College and then Northwest Missouri State. He was the Twins first-round pick in the 1979 draft and played parts of 10 seasons with the Twins. He spent 20 total seasons in the big leagues. The two-time All-Star won four Gold Glove Awards in his time with the Twins and later won a Silver Slugger Award. 

When Brian Dinkelman made his MLB debut, he became the second person from McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois, to play in the big leagues. The other? Infielder Jay Ward came to the Twins in a July 1962 trade with the Kansas City Athletics (for Bert Cueto). He played in nine games for the 1963 Twins and 12 games for the 1964 Twins.He hit a combined .174 in 21 games and 53 plate appearances. played for several other organizations and even in Japan before he made his return to the big leagues with six games for the Cincinnati Reds in 1970. 
 

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[tarheeltwinsfan]

Congratulations Brian Dinkelman. See you at Ft. Myers in a couple of months. 

[1985Fan]

Congrats to Dinkelman! Admired his attitude from afar as a fan. Fun to root for him and his type of AAAA players. Glad to see his coaching career is a success, especially with the Twins organization. I wonder what his career progression will be? Hope the Twins can reward him and keep him!

[DJL44]

Based on this the Twins are going to need to promote him or he will get poached by another organization.

[terrydactyls]

If he can still hit like he did during his brief MLB stint, maybe the Twins should sign him and put him in left field.