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News broke yesterday that the Twins had hired University of Arkansas pitching coach Wes Johnson as their new MLB pitching coach and former Mets pitcher Jeremy Hefner as their new bullpen coach. The team hasn’t seemed to slow down one iota, as they made two “new” hires for Rocco Baldelli’s coaching staff Friday: Tommy Watkins and Tony Diaz.
Watkins will be joining the Twins as their new first base coach. He is, of course, a former Twins player who has been coaching and managing in the team’s minor league system for many years now. Over his illustrious nine-game career in the majors, Watkins hit .357/.438/.357 with four walks and absolutely zero extra-base hits. The really bizarre part about Tommy, though, is that I absolutely remembered him for some reason despite the fact he only played nine games. I told him as much on Twitter some seven or so years ago and he followed me because of it.
Last season, Watkins managed the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts for the Twins organization. The year before that, he managed the Low-A Cedar Rapids Kernels. Watkins, 38, is also good friends with Jake Mauer.
Diaz, 41, is set to replace Gene Glynn as the Twins’ new third base coach. The Twins somehow pried him away from the Rockies, where he’s been coaching first base for the past couple years. Diaz is no stranger to coaching,however, having spent many years as a coach and manager in the minor leagues.
Watkins and Diaz will join Rocco Baldelli’s staff along with bench coach Derek Shelton, hitting coach James Rowson, assistant hitting coach Rudy Hernandez, new pitching coach Wes Johnson, and new bullpen coach Jeremy Hefner.
Poll
What is your opinion on new first base coach Tommy Watkins?
This poll is closed
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43%
TOMMY WATKINS!??! HELL YES!
(147 votes) -
35%
Sounds alright to me!
(120 votes) -
3%
Wish they had gotten someone ele.
(11 votes) -
0%
I absolutely hate this.
(2 votes) -
17%
What the Watkins is a Tommy Watkins?
(61 votes)
Poll
What is your opinion on new third base coach Tony Diaz?
This poll is closed
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28%
Absolutely love it. Falvine, you’ve done it again!
(78 votes) -
15%
Was Scott Ullger not available?
(42 votes) -
2%
I’m really pissed off on this.
(6 votes) -
53%
Yeah, no, I have no idea who Tony Diaz is sorry.
(143 votes)