PRESS
RELEASE
10/23/2007 11:11 AM ET
Twins announce 2008 Minor League staff assignments
MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The Minnesota Twins announced today that their Minor League managerial and coaching positions have been filled for the 2008
season.
Stan Cliburn will begin his third year as manager of the Twins' Triple-A affiliate Rochester Red Wings (International League). Cliburn, 48, spent the five
seasons managing the Twins' Class AA New Britain Rock Cats (2001-05). He has a 850-837 (.504) record during his 14 years of Minor League managerial
experience, 587-543 (.519) with the Twins. Stuart Cliburn will return for his third year as pitching coach and Riccardo Ingram will begin his first Triple-A
season as coach, after spending the last two seasons as the manager of Double-A New Britain. Rich Miller, who spent the last four seasons as Rochester's
hitting coach, will begin his first season as a Roving Instructor between Rochester and New Britain, specializing in outfield play, bunting and baserunning.
Tony Leo will return for his fourth season as trainer for the Red Wings.
Bobby Cuellar will begin his first year as manager of the Twins' Double-A affiliate New Britain Rock Cats (Eastern League), after spending the past two
seasons as the Pittsburgh Pirates' bullpen coach. Cuellar was the Twins' Triple-A pitching coach from 2002-05. Cuellar, 55, has a 130-149 (.466) record
during his two years of managerial experience with Wausau (1986-87). Steve Mintz will begin his first year as pitching coach, after serving in the same
capacity for Single-A Beloit last season and for the GCL Twins from 2002-05. Floyd Rayford returns for his fourth season as a coach at the Double-A level, his
ninth season in the Twins' system. Chad Jackson will return for his fourth season as trainer for the Rock Cats.
Jeff Smith will begin his first year as manager of the Twins' Single-A affiliate Ft. Myers Miracle (Florida State League). Smith, 33, spent the past two
seasons as manager of the Beloit Snappers, the Twins' Single-A affiliate (Midwest League). He has a 153-125 (.550) record during his two years of Minor
League managerial experience. Eric Rasmussen will begin his 10th season as pitching coach and Jim Dwyer will begin his third year as a coach at Ft. Myers,
after spending the previous nine as minor league hitting coordinator. Larry Bennese returns for his ninth season as trainer for the Miracle.
Nelson Prada will begin his first year as manager of the Twins' Single-A affiliate Beloit Snappers (Midwest League). Prada, 31, spent the previous four
seasons as manager of the GCL Twins. He has a 91-72 (.558) record during his three years of Minor League managerial experience. Gary Lucas will begin his
second stint (2005) as pitching coach after spending the past two seasons as pitching coach for Double-A New Britain. Rudy Hernandez will begin his fourth
season as a coach with Beloit. Alan Rail will return for his fourth season as trainer with the Snappers.
Ray Smith returns as manager for the rookie level Elizabethton Twins (Appalachian League). Smith, 52, who will be in his 22nd season on staff for Elizabethton,
has a career managerial record of 579-365 (.613), with eight first place finishes in 14 seasons guiding the Twins. Jim Shellenback will begin his 13th season
as pitching coach, his 31st year in the Twins' system, and Jeff Reed will return for his seventh season as a coach. Ryan Hedwall returns for his third
season as trainer for Elizabethton.
Jake Mauer will begin his first season as manager of the rookie level Gulf Coast League Twins and will also run the Twins' extended Spring Training. Mauer,
28, spent the last two seasons as a coach for the GCL Twins after playing five seasons in the Twins' Minor League system. Ivan Arteaga will begin his third
season as pitching coach. Milt Cuyler returns for his sixth season as a coach, specializing in baserunning and outfield play. Chris Johnson returns for his
third season as trainer for the GCL Twins.
In addition, Joel Lepel, returns for his third year as the Twins' minor league field coordinator. Rick Knapp returns for his 12th year as pitching
coordinator and Bill Springman returns for his third season as hitting coordinator. John Kertis returns for his second season as minor league strength and
conditioning coordinator and Lanning Tucker returns for his 10th season as the club's head minor league trainer and rehab coordinator. Jose Marzan returns
for his third season as the Twins' Latin America coordinator, overseeing Latin America scouting and international field coordinating. 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 the the General Manager, and Hall of Famer Paul Molitor will continue in his role as Minor League Infield/Baserunning
Coordinator.
The Twins also announced the coaching staff for their academies in the Dominican Republic (Julio Paula, mgr., Pablo Frias, pitching ch., Claudio Almonte, ch,
and Joselin Carrera, trainer) and Venezuela (Asdrubal Estrada, mgr., Luis Ramirez, pitching ch., Ramon Borrego, ch., and Wladimir Morales, trainer).
Rochester
Manager - Stan Cliburn
Coach - Riccardo Ingram
Pitching Coach - Stuart Cliburn
Trainer - Tony Leo
New Britain
Manager - Bobby Cuellar
Coach - Floyd Rayford
Pitching Coach - Steve Mintz
Trainer - Chad Jackson
Fort Myers
Manager - Jeff Smith
Coach - Jim Dwyer
Pitching Coach - Eric Rasmussen
Trainer - Larry Bennese
Beloit
Manager - Nelson Prada
Coach Rudy Hernandez
Pitching Coach - Gary Lucas
Trainer - Alan Rail
Elizabethton
Manager - Ray Smith
Coach - Jeff Reed
Pitching Coach - Jim Shellenback
Trainer - Ryan Hedwall
GCL
Manager - Jake Mauer
Coach - Milt Cuyler
Pitching Coach - Ivan Arteaga
Trainer - Chris Johnson
Dominican academy
Manager - Julio Paula
Coach - Claudio Almonte
Pitching Coach - Pablo Frias
Trainer - Joselin Carrera
Venezuela
Manager - Asdrubal Estrada
Coach - Ramon Borrego
Pitching Coach - Luis Ramirez
Trainer - Wladimir Morales
RELEASE
10/23/2007 11:11 AM ET
Twins announce 2008 Minor League staff assignments
MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The Minnesota Twins announced today that their Minor League managerial and coaching positions have been filled for the 2008
season.
Stan Cliburn will begin his third year as manager of the Twins' Triple-A affiliate Rochester Red Wings (International League). Cliburn, 48, spent the five
seasons managing the Twins' Class AA New Britain Rock Cats (2001-05). He has a 850-837 (.504) record during his 14 years of Minor League managerial
experience, 587-543 (.519) with the Twins. Stuart Cliburn will return for his third year as pitching coach and Riccardo Ingram will begin his first Triple-A
season as coach, after spending the last two seasons as the manager of Double-A New Britain. Rich Miller, who spent the last four seasons as Rochester's
hitting coach, will begin his first season as a Roving Instructor between Rochester and New Britain, specializing in outfield play, bunting and baserunning.
Tony Leo will return for his fourth season as trainer for the Red Wings.
Bobby Cuellar will begin his first year as manager of the Twins' Double-A affiliate New Britain Rock Cats (Eastern League), after spending the past two
seasons as the Pittsburgh Pirates' bullpen coach. Cuellar was the Twins' Triple-A pitching coach from 2002-05. Cuellar, 55, has a 130-149 (.466) record
during his two years of managerial experience with Wausau (1986-87). Steve Mintz will begin his first year as pitching coach, after serving in the same
capacity for Single-A Beloit last season and for the GCL Twins from 2002-05. Floyd Rayford returns for his fourth season as a coach at the Double-A level, his
ninth season in the Twins' system. Chad Jackson will return for his fourth season as trainer for the Rock Cats.
Jeff Smith will begin his first year as manager of the Twins' Single-A affiliate Ft. Myers Miracle (Florida State League). Smith, 33, spent the past two
seasons as manager of the Beloit Snappers, the Twins' Single-A affiliate (Midwest League). He has a 153-125 (.550) record during his two years of Minor
League managerial experience. Eric Rasmussen will begin his 10th season as pitching coach and Jim Dwyer will begin his third year as a coach at Ft. Myers,
after spending the previous nine as minor league hitting coordinator. Larry Bennese returns for his ninth season as trainer for the Miracle.
Nelson Prada will begin his first year as manager of the Twins' Single-A affiliate Beloit Snappers (Midwest League). Prada, 31, spent the previous four
seasons as manager of the GCL Twins. He has a 91-72 (.558) record during his three years of Minor League managerial experience. Gary Lucas will begin his
second stint (2005) as pitching coach after spending the past two seasons as pitching coach for Double-A New Britain. Rudy Hernandez will begin his fourth
season as a coach with Beloit. Alan Rail will return for his fourth season as trainer with the Snappers.
Ray Smith returns as manager for the rookie level Elizabethton Twins (Appalachian League). Smith, 52, who will be in his 22nd season on staff for Elizabethton,
has a career managerial record of 579-365 (.613), with eight first place finishes in 14 seasons guiding the Twins. Jim Shellenback will begin his 13th season
as pitching coach, his 31st year in the Twins' system, and Jeff Reed will return for his seventh season as a coach. Ryan Hedwall returns for his third
season as trainer for Elizabethton.
Jake Mauer will begin his first season as manager of the rookie level Gulf Coast League Twins and will also run the Twins' extended Spring Training. Mauer,
28, spent the last two seasons as a coach for the GCL Twins after playing five seasons in the Twins' Minor League system. Ivan Arteaga will begin his third
season as pitching coach. Milt Cuyler returns for his sixth season as a coach, specializing in baserunning and outfield play. Chris Johnson returns for his
third season as trainer for the GCL Twins.
In addition, Joel Lepel, returns for his third year as the Twins' minor league field coordinator. Rick Knapp returns for his 12th year as pitching
coordinator and Bill Springman returns for his third season as hitting coordinator. John Kertis returns for his second season as minor league strength and
conditioning coordinator and Lanning Tucker returns for his 10th season as the club's head minor league trainer and rehab coordinator. Jose Marzan returns
for his third season as the Twins' Latin America coordinator, overseeing Latin America scouting and international field coordinating. 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 the the General Manager, and Hall of Famer Paul Molitor will continue in his role as Minor League Infield/Baserunning
Coordinator.
The Twins also announced the coaching staff for their academies in the Dominican Republic (Julio Paula, mgr., Pablo Frias, pitching ch., Claudio Almonte, ch,
and Joselin Carrera, trainer) and Venezuela (Asdrubal Estrada, mgr., Luis Ramirez, pitching ch., Ramon Borrego, ch., and Wladimir Morales, trainer).
Rochester
Manager - Stan Cliburn
Coach - Riccardo Ingram
Pitching Coach - Stuart Cliburn
Trainer - Tony Leo
New Britain
Manager - Bobby Cuellar
Coach - Floyd Rayford
Pitching Coach - Steve Mintz
Trainer - Chad Jackson
Fort Myers
Manager - Jeff Smith
Coach - Jim Dwyer
Pitching Coach - Eric Rasmussen
Trainer - Larry Bennese
Beloit
Manager - Nelson Prada
Coach Rudy Hernandez
Pitching Coach - Gary Lucas
Trainer - Alan Rail
Elizabethton
Manager - Ray Smith
Coach - Jeff Reed
Pitching Coach - Jim Shellenback
Trainer - Ryan Hedwall
GCL
Manager - Jake Mauer
Coach - Milt Cuyler
Pitching Coach - Ivan Arteaga
Trainer - Chris Johnson
Dominican academy
Manager - Julio Paula
Coach - Claudio Almonte
Pitching Coach - Pablo Frias
Trainer - Joselin Carrera
Venezuela
Manager - Asdrubal Estrada
Coach - Ramon Borrego
Pitching Coach - Luis Ramirez
Trainer - Wladimir Morales

