Twins pitching coach Wes Johnson accepts pitching coach role at Louisiana State University

CLEVELAND, OH – The Minnesota Twins announced today that pitching coach Wes Johnson has accepted the role of pitching coach at Louisiana State University. Johnson’s final day with the Twins will be Thursday, June 30, at the conclusion of Minnesota’s five-game series against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field.

Johnson, 51, has served as the Twins pitching coach since 2019. Prior to that season, he was hired by Minnesota from the University of Arkansas, becoming the first pitching coach in major league history to go from the college ranks directly to the majors. Through 73 games this season, the Twins pitching staff has posted a 3.79 ERA (646.0 IP, 272 ER) with 212 walks, 598 strikeouts, a 1.23 WHIP and a .237 opponent batting average.

Under Johnson’s guidance, the 2019 Minnesota pitching staff set a single-season club record with 1,463 team strikeouts, while the 2020 staff set a single-season club record for strikeouts-per-9.0 innings (9.38). That same season, Kenta Maeda finished second in the American League Cy Young Award voting, behind winner Shane Bieber of Cleveland. Additionally, three Twins pitchers – José Berríos and Jake Odorizzi in 2019, and Taylor Rogers in 2021 – were named to the American League All-Star team during his tenure.

“Wes Johnson has been an integral part of our organization over the last three and a half seasons and has helped guide our pitchers at the highest level,” Twins President, Baseball Operations Derek Falvey said. “His leadership, insight, creativity, and ability to effectively work across a diverse team were hallmarks of his time with the Minnesota Twins. His influence and impact will continue to be realized in Minnesota through the pitchers and staff members he helped mentor. We wish him and his family all the best during his next stop at LSU.”