The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have named James Rowson as Hitting Coach.
"We are excited to add James Rowson to our major league coaching staff," said Twins Executive Vice President/Chief Baseball Officer Derek Falvey. "James is someone who possesses all of the attributes of an impact coach and he's held in high regard by those who've had the chance to work alongside him. It was clear to Paul, Thad, and myself that James is the perfect fit for our organization moving forward."
Rowson, 40, served the previous three seasons as the minor league hitting coordinator for the New York Yankees. The 2017 season will mark Rowson's 16th in professional baseball as he previously worked as the major league hitting coach for the Chicago Cubs from June of 2012 through 2013, Cubs minor league hitting coordinator in 2012, Yankees minor league hitting coordinator from 2008-11 and hitting coach at Single-A Tampa from 2006-07. Prior to that, he worked four seasons in the Los Angeles Angels organization as minor league hitting coach for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga from 2004-05, Single-A Cedar Rapids in 2003 and Rookie-Level Provo in 2002.
The Mount Vernon, New York native was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the ninth round of the 1994 First-Year Player Draft and played four seasons in the minor leagues for the Mariners and Yankees organizations from 1995-98