Old Friends in the Fall Classic: Twins Connections in the 2024 World Series

[Matthew Taylor]

As the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees prepare to battle for the World Series title, Twins fans might recognize a few familiar faces on both sides. From former prospects to key coaches, the connections to Minnesota run deep. Let's take a look at the "old friends" in this year's Fall Classic.

Image courtesy of © Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

As the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees prepare to square off in this year’s World Series, Twins fans might notice some familiar names on both rosters and coaching staffs. It’s always interesting to see “old friends” pop up on the biggest stage, and this year is no exception. From former top prospects to coaches who helped shape memorable Twins teams, these connections add an extra layer of intrigue for Minnesota fans. Let’s take a look at some of those key names who have roots in the Twin Cities.

Brusdar Graterol, RP, Los Angeles Dodgers
Once one of the most electric arms in the Twins’ system, Graterol was ranked among the top 60 prospects in baseball. His fastball consistently hit triple digits, making him the hardest thrower in the Twins’ organizational history—until Jhoan Durán arrived. Graterol had a brief stint in Minnesota’s bullpen during the 2019 season, before being traded to the Dodgers as part of the deal that brought Kenta Maeda to Minnesota.

Since then, Graterol has become a key reliever for the Dodgers, though injuries have limited him. He has posted a 2.69 ERA across five seasons in Los Angeles, but his World Series appearance would be his first since Sept. 24, after battling shoulder and hamstring issues. His fastball isn't quite the blazing pitch that Twins' fans recall from his time in Minnesota, but it will still be fun to watch him take the mound yet again in a playoff situation, if indeed he's healthy enough to reclaim his place.

Tommy Edman, Utility, Los Angeles Dodgers
While Tommy Edman has never donned a Twins uniform, his family ties make him part of the extended Twins community. Edman was a midseason acquisition for the Dodgers, and his breakout performance in the NLCS—where he hit .407 and drove in 11 runs—turned him into an unlikely postseason hero. Known more for his versatility and speed, Edman’s timely hitting has been a huge boost for LA.

His brother, John Edman, is a key member of the Twins’ front office, serving as a data quality engineer in the R&D department since 2019. So, while Tommy never played for Minnesota, the Edman family still has a strong connection to the organization.

Danny Lehmann, Bench Coach, Los Angeles Dodgers
Twins fans might remember Danny Lehmann as a former catching prospect drafted by Minnesota in 2007. Lehmann never made it to the big leagues, but spent seven seasons in the Twins farm system. He’s since transitioned to coaching, and was promoted to Dodgers bench coach in 2023, after working as their game-planning and communications coach. Lehmann now finds himself in the World Series dugout.

Aaron Bates, Co-Hitting Coach, Los Angeles Dodgers
Aaron Bates has been with the Dodgers’ coaching staff since 2019, moving up to co-hitting coach in 2023. Twins fans might recall his brief time in Minnesota’s system in 2011, when he played two seasons with the Rochester Red Wings. 

Luis Gil, SP, New York Yankees
Luis Gil never played for the Twins, but he began his professional career in Minnesota’s system after signing as an international free agent in 2015. He was traded to the Yankees in 2018 for Jake Cave, and despite a slow start to his career due to injuries, Gil broke out in 2024 with a 3.50 ERA and an impressive strikeout rate. He’s a strong contender for AL Rookie of the Year.

After some command issues in the ALCS, Gil might be shifted to the bullpen for the World Series, but his high-octane stuff and connection to the Twins make him an interesting player to watch.

James Rowson, Hitting Coach, New York Yankees
Twins fans will fondly remember Rowson as the architect behind the 2019 Bomba Squad, the team that shattered the MLB record for home runs in a season. Rowson left Minnesota for a bench coach role with the Marlins in 2020, before landing with the Yankees in 2024. Under his guidance, the Yankees led the league with 237 home runs and posted one of the highest OPS marks in the American League. Rowson’s ability to unlock power in lineups remains his calling card, making him a pivotal part of the Yankees’ success.

Tanner Swanson, Catching Coordinator, New York Yankees
Another familiar name is Tanner Swanson, the Twins’ former catching guru who helped turn Mitch Garver into a defensive standout. Since joining the Yankees in 2020, Swanson has continued his work with young catchers, most notably Austin Wells, who ranked third in MLB in framing this season. He also made an All-Star out of José Trevino, two years ago, and has been the person lost in the post-2019 brain drain whose reputation has most steadily grown since.

It’s always fun to see familiar faces on the game’s biggest stage. Whether it’s a former top prospect like Graterol or an old coach like Rowson, these connections to the Twins add an extra layer of intrigue to this year’s Fall Classic. So, who will you be rooting for in the World Series—the Dodgers or the Yankees? Let us know in the comments below.

[Ed. note: And don't say Yankees. Because come on.]

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[Hrbeks Divot]

I’ll watch as always but I can’t root for either of these big money teams. I absolutely despise the Yankees so I’m sure I’ll lean Dodgers when it comes down to it. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[Beast]

I can’t believe both of these teams made the World Series.  Spending money is an awful strategy, I’ve learned here over the years.

Joke is on both them for not modeling themselves after the Rays.  They both may win the World Series multiple times over the next few years, but they might have to pay someone a premium who isn’t at the peak of their production at some point.  Idiots.

[ashbury]

1 hour ago, Beast said:

I can’t believe both of these teams made the World Series.  Spending money is an awful strategy, I’ve learned here over the years.

Joke is on both them for not modeling themselves after the Rays.  They both may win the World Series multiple times over the next few years, but they might have to pay someone a premium who isn’t at the peak of their production at some point.  Idiots.

[Schmoeman5]

Go Yankees.  Make it 28 time World Champions. They have played in 1/3 of all of the WS. 

[David HK]

Ahhh, fooey on that Luis Gil guy.  We got prime Jake Cave, with a robust .708 OPS, which was far more valuable than any potential staff ace.  

[theBOMisthebomb]

Jake Cave for Luis Gil hurts. Oh well, hindsight is 20/20. I'm not remembering the logic of that trade,it seems silly now. 

The Dodgers are my NL team as I was born in LA. I'm envisioning Ohtani with a walk off grand slam in the bottom of the ninth in game 7. 

[MinnInPa]

wont watch a single inning..if the Twins aren't playing ..its football only 

[mluebker]

My two favorite teams are the Twins and whoever is playing the Yankees.

[Blyleven2011]

Don't care who wins ,last time they met in 81 , LA  won winning the last 4 games after Yankees won the first 3 games of the seven game series ...

It was a sweet LA Victory ...

All I care about are good quality and exciting games  , are you listening Rocco  ....

[jmlease1]

8 hours ago, David HK said:

Ahhh, fooey on that Luis Gil guy.  We got prime Jake Cave, with a robust .708 OPS, which was far more valuable than any potential staff ace.  

Anyone who gets injured as much as Gil and leads the league in walks might not really be a contender for "staff ace". (He also was wild and not particularly good in the ALCS and the supposed ROY wasn't good enough to pitch in the ALDS)

He was a 19 year-old pitcher who had never thrown above rookie ball and had already experienced a significant injury. Sometimes lottery tickets come home. But it still took another 6 seasons for Gil to make the NY rotation, and more injuries were in there.

If you're getting too upset over this one, you're basically saying you can never trade any prospect with upside for anything. Cave gave us a couple of solid seasons as a backup (at a time when we needed a player like him in the OF). This kind of deal happens all the time and usually the prospect flames out. We've been on the other side of this kind of deal too.

Not really rooting for either of these reality-warping teams to win, but I guess I'd rather have Ohtani get a title if forced to pick. because the only time I've ever even mildly favored the Yankees was when they were playing Atlanta in 1996. And I sort of regret it.

[Squirrel]

10 hours ago, David HK said:

Ahhh, fooey on that Luis Gil guy.  We got prime Jake Cave, with a robust .708 OPS, which was far more valuable than any potential staff ace.  

Sooooooo much hyperbole in this just to complain. Gil as a staff ace? Lol.

[Parfigliano]

Brusdar Graterol in the game 99mph 1 inning 1 hit 0 runs.

[ashbury]

11 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

If you're getting too upset over this one, you're basically saying you can never trade any prospect with upside for anything.

No, that's not what is being said.  You can trade prospects for the right reasons.

I didn't like the trade at the time.  I have a pretty strong principle that you don't give up young pitching except for pitching in return.  It's the coin of the realm.  I didn't especially like Chase Petty for Sonny Gray, but at least we got pitching in return.  I did like Arraez for Lopez, and for the same logic.  In reverse, I was bothered by getting only one arm in return for Berrios, plus a can't-miss hitter that I didn't especially care about unless he turned into a perennial all-star - it needed to be two good young arms.  You trade pitching for pitching, and hope for occasionally also getting pitching in return for hitters.

It's not like Gil has proven to be a staff ace.  It's not like I *knew* Gil would pan out.  It's because you need so many pitching prospects, in order for even one to pan out.

Pitching is like gold in baseball.  If you're willing to give up a legit young arm for a backup CF type, you'll find 29 other GM's lining up to make deals with you.

[ashbury]

Pretty good Game 1.  What do they do for an encore?

[Parfigliano]

1 hour ago, ashbury said:

Pretty good Game 1.  What do they do for an encore?

NYY loses again I hope.