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Twins Announce Big Change on Coaching Staff
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- Twins Announce Big Change on Coaching Staff
Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
There has been a significant amount of change in leadership at the field level for the Minnesota Twins of late. Rocco Baldelli was fired at the end of the season, and Derek Shelton was just hired to replace him.
The field staff will see more changes as the group is rounded out, and the first substantial one was announced on Thursday. LaTroy Hawkins will once again wear a Twins uniform.
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LaTroy Hawkins named MN Twins bullpen coach
The 2003 season was the last time LaTroy Hawkins donned a Minnesota Twins uniform during a regular season game. That will change on Opening Day this season .
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NEWS: LaTroy Hawkins will be the Twins bullpen coach next season. Great get for Derek Shelton's first staff in Minnesota, landing the 21-year MLB veteran.
— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) November 7, 2025
Hawkins is joining Derek Shelton's coaching staff as the bullpen coach. That position has been held by Colby Suggs since 2022, and he could very well be on the move as well.
The Texas Rangers , looking to fill out their coaching staff, have expressed interest in #MNTwins bullpen coach Colby Suggs, sources tell me and @dennistlin . Suggs has served as Minnesota's bullpen coach since July 2022.
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) November 7, 2025
Now 52 years old, Hawkins pitched in the big leagues for 21 seasons . He was a 7th round pick by Minnesota out of high school in 1991, and spent nine years at the major league level for the Twins. Hawkins compiled a 4.31 ERA and pitched 1,467 1/3 innings.
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He has since stayed around the team working as an advisor during Spring Training, a special assistant to the general manager, and a rotating personality on the broadcast team. It was reported he was looking to get back on the field , and his desire is to blend new school principles with old school teachings.
Shelton will now have Hawkins working with arguably the most important position to improve on the roster . The bullpen was gutted at the trade deadline , and a man with 944 relief appearances will be the last face arms see before entering mid-game.
Multiple changes for MN Twins coaching staff
Hawkins is the first new name to join Derek Shelton's coaching staff, but he isn't the first change. Shelton has yet to name a bench coach, but will have a new face there. Assistant bench coach Hank Conger has also been notified that he will not be back with the team.
Hank Conger confirmed he was told he won't return to #MNTwins coaching staff even though he's still under contract.
Same fate for bench coach Jayce Tingler, who as @extrabaggs reported, already accepted a job with #SFGiants .— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) November 6, 2025
Tingler will be working with new San Francisco Giants manager, and former Missouri teammate, Tony Vitello. Conger moved into the dugout this season and has been a name on the rise. Although he won't be back for Minnesota, it won't be a shock if he finds something quickly.
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It remains to be seen how Shelton will fill out the rest of his staff . Tommy Watkins, currently the third base coach, is the longest tenured member of the organization. He was taken in the 38th round of the 1998 draft , debuted in 2007, and has never left the franchise since.
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