Twins announce 2012 Minor League staff assignments

December 12, 2011

Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN --The Minnesota Twins announced today that their Minor League managerial and coaching positions have been filled for the 2012 season.

Gene Glynn will begin his first year as manager of the Twins’ Triple-A affiliate Rochester Red Wings (International League). Glynn spent the previous five seasons (2007-11) as a pro scout for the Tampa Bay Rays. From 1996-2006, Glynn was a Major League coach for the Colorado Rockies (1996-98), Montreal Expos (1999), Chicago Cubs (2000-02) and San Francisco Giants (2003-06). Bobby Cuellar will return for his fourth season as pitching coach (also served as the Twins Triple-A pitching coach from 2002-05) and Tom Brunansky will begin his first season as a coach at the Triple-A level after serving as coach at Double-A New Britain in 2011. Chad Jackson will return for his second season as trainer for the Red Wings.

Jeff Smith will begin his third year as manager of the Twins’ Double-A affiliate New Britain Rock Cats (Eastern League), after spending the previous four seasons as a manager in the Twins system (Class A Beloit 2006-07 and Class A Ft. Myers 2008-09). Stu Cliburn returns for his fourth season as pitching coach, a position he also held from 1999-2005, after spending 2006-08 as Rochester’s pitching coach. Rudy Hernandez will begin his second stint as coach for the Rock Cats, after serving as a coach for the GCL Twins last season. Larry Bennese will return for his second season as trainer for the Rock Cats.

Riccardo Ingram returns for his 15th season in the Twins organization, his third as Triple-A and Double-A Hitting Instructor. Ingram served as the coach at Triple-A Rochester in 2009.

Jake Mauer will begin his third year as manager of the Twins’ Class A affiliate Ft. Myers Miracle (Florida State League). Mauer spent the 2008-09 seasons as manager of the GCL Twins, after spending three seasons as a coach at the same level. Steve Mintz will begin his fourth season as pitching coach for the Miracle, after serving in the same capacity for Double-A New Britain in 2008 and for Class A Beloit in 2007. Mintz also served as the GCL Twins pitching coach from 2002-05. Jim Dwyer will begin his seventh year as a coach at Ft. Myers, after spending the previous nine as the Twins Minor League hitting coordinator. Chris Johnson returns for his second season as trainer for the Miracle.

Nelson Prada will begin his fifth year as manager of the Twins’ Class A affiliate Beloit Snappers (Midwest League). Prada spent the 2004-07 seasons as manager of the GCL Twins. Gary Lucas will continue his second stint (2005) as pitching coach after spending the 2006-07 seasons as pitching coach for Double-A New Britain. Tommy Watkins will begin his third season as coach, after playing in the Twins system from 1998-2009. Alan Rail will return for his seventh season as trainer with the Snappers.

Ray Smith returns as manager for the Rookie-level Elizabethton Twins (Appalachian League). Smith, who will be in his 26th season on staff for Elizabethton, has a career managerial record of 748-464 (.617), with 10 first place finishes in 18 seasons guiding the Twins. Ivan Arteaga begins his first season at pitching coach after spending the previous six seasons as pitching coach for the GCL Twins, and Jeff Reed will return for his 11th season as a coach. Ryan Hedwall returns for his seventh season as trainer for Elizabethton.

Ramon Borrego will begin his third season as manager of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Twins and will also run the Twins’ extended Spring Training. Borrego took over as manager on June 1 of 2010. Former Twins Minor Leaguer Henry Bonilla will begin his first season as pitching coach. Milt Cuyler returns for his 10th season as a coach, specializing in baserunning and outfield play. Curtis Simondet returns for his second season as trainer for the GCL Twins.

In addition, Joel Lepel returns for his seventh year as the Twins’ Minor League field coordinator. Eric Rasmussen returns for his fourth season as pitching coordinator, and Bill Springman returns for his seventh season as hitting coordinator. John Kertis returns for his sixth season as Minor League strength and conditioning coordinator, and Lanning Tucker returns for his 14th season as the club’s head Minor League trainer and rehab coordinator (21st season with the Twins). Jose Marzan returns for his seventh season as the Twins’ Latin America coordinator, overseeing Latin America scouting and international field coordinating, while Dave Ringler returns for his 16th season as equipment manager. Brian Maloney also returns for his seventh season as Florida operations coordinator. Also, former Twins’ great Tony Oliva will continue in his role as hitting coach, as well as various duties involving community relations, former manager Tom Kelly will continue in his role as special assistant to the general manager, and Hall of Famer Paul Molitor will continue in his role as Minor League infield/baserunning coordinator.