Twins Make Managerial Changes on the Farm

The Minnesota Twins made a change at manager this offseason. Despite the 70-92 season not being a reflection of Rocco Baldelli’s leadership, he was replaced with Derek Shelton. Baldelli has since found new employment, and Shelton has overturned the coaching staff.

Among the additions at the major league level was Toby Gardenhire. Son of longtime big league skipper Ron Gardenhire, Shelton promoted the Triple-A manager for his big league debut. That left a hole with the Saints.

Not only will there be a new manager watching a pig deliver balls to the umpire at CHS Field, but the Twins have three new skippers across the farm system.

Brian Dinkelman takes over Triple-A for MN Twins

When Toby Gardenhire was promoted to the Minnesota Twins field coordinator, it left an opening at Triple-A. Someone had to manage the St. Paul Saints, and Double-A skipper Brian Dinkelman seemed like the obvious choice. That has now been made official.

All He Does Is Win: @BrDink, 5th Most Victories In Minor League Baseball Since 2019, Takes Over Reins With Saints, Joined By Two New Coaches, @ShawnSchlechter and Hernandez Return

Story: https://t.co/W0cD5kq6e2 pic.twitter.com/BsY6LM5kSO

— St. Paul Saints (@StPaulSaints) January 14, 2026

Dinkelman is a former 8th round pick (2006) of the MN Twins. He made it to the big leagues for 23 games during the 2011 season, but the light-hitting utility man has put up an impressive post-playing career.

The Twins have employed Dinkelman as a coach or manager within the system for a whopping 12 seasons. His 2023 Cedar Rapids Kernels won the Midwest League, and he has racked up a significant amount of wins as a manager.

St. Paul will turn over the managerial position for the first time since being named a Twins affiliate in 2021. Dinkelman, like Gardenhire before him, is a Twins lifer and more than deserving of the role.

More new hires in Twins system

While Dinkelman is a new manager for the St. Paul Saints, he’s not new to the system as a whole. Two other affiliates will bring new managers to the dugout in 2026, and one of them is brand new to the organization.

Say Hello to our 2026 coaching staff!👋⚾️ pic.twitter.com/GkvtJYauhp

— Wichita Wind Surge (@WindSurgeICT) January 14, 2026

Introducing our 2026 coaching staff!! 💪 #MNTwins

🔗 https://t.co/OwsjcIhVCf pic.twitter.com/lUSioTxcqc

— Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (@MightyMussels) January 14, 2026

With Dinkelman moving up from Wichita, the Wind Surge needed a replacement. That comes in the former of Nico Giarratano. He managed the FCL Twins last season.

Brian Meyer returns as the Cedar Rapids Kernels for a second season. Fort Myers though, introduced Jordan Smith as their new manager. He joins the Minnesota Twins organization after 14 years in the Cleveland Guardians system.

Smith managed High-A Lynchburg the past three seasons and won a Carolina League championship while being named manager of the year. Minnesota’s farm system is among the best in the big leagues, and these gentlemen will be in charge of many top prospects.