CLEVELAND — Wes Johnson understands that timing is not ideal for the Minnesota Twins. It is not an easy task for him.
Johnson will be leaving the Twins in order to go back to college coaching and take over as LSU’s pitchers coach. Johnson said that the decision was difficult for him emotionally.
“Very tough. Johnson stated Monday at Progressive Field that Johnson didn’t know if he’d slept well in the past week before the Twins’ game against The Guardians. “Very very, very tough. This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
Johnson’s move comes at a time when the American League Central-leading Twins begin a five-game series with the second-place team. Cleveland GuardiansThey are currently two games behind the leaders in the division. Through the series, Johnson will continue to fulfill his duties of Minnesota’s pitching coach. It concludes on Thursday.
Derek Falvey, Twins president of baseball operations, said that the team is currently discussing how to replace Johnson for this season and beyond. After his stint as a coach at Arkansas, Johnson joined the Twins in 2019. The Twins will soon have a bullpen coach Pete Maki, and an assistant pitching coach Luis Ramirez.
Falvey admitted that it can be a bit tricky. “Our plan here was to work closely with the internal group to assume Wes’ role.”
Falvey called Johnson’s midseason departure “unique”, but he stated that he believes the Twins will be able to handle it. Manager Rocco Baldelli is also on board. He called a team meeting Sunday night after the Twins arrived in Cleveland to inform his players about Johnson’s decision.
“We’re going to not ask anyone to play Wes,” he stated. “That’s just not how life works. That’s also not how baseball works. We are going to give our pitchers all they need. We’re as prepared as we can be for such an event.
Johnson’s departure was just as surprising as his arrival. Johnson was widely believed to have been the first college pitching coach who made the jump to the major leagues after he was hired by the Twins from Arkansas. He was the national runner up in the 2018 College World Series. Johnson was a college pitcher coach for nine seasons until the Twins hired Johnson. The Twins were drawn to his biomechanics training. Johnson holds a master’s in kinesiology.
Baldelli stated, “Knowing Wes, getting a chance see him all these many years, it’s not surprising to see him return to the college game.” “Am I thrilled to see it happen in middle of the season?” It is not. Nobody is. It’s impossible to avoid that conversation, but I’m not surprised to hear him return to something that he loves and is very good at.
Johnson was born and raised in Atlanta. He currently resides in Arkansas. He has also been to Mississippi State, Dallas Baptist, Central Arkansas and Central Arkansas. Before entering college, he was a high-school coach.
Johnson was the manager of the division champion team’s pitching staffs in his first two years. With a 3.78 team ERA this season, the Twins have returned top spot in the AL Central. This ranks them 11th in the majors. Johnson was the manager of the Twins, and they ranked 26th in ERA in 2018, fourth in 2020, and ninth in 2019.
The Twins broke a single-season club mark with 1,463 strikes in 2019. Jose Berrios In 2019, Jake Odorizzi and Jake Odorizzi were All Star selections. Taylor Rogers made the team in 2021. As recently as Saturday night, Twins pitchers regularly praised Johnson for his energy, positivity, and wisdom. Chris Archer He threw five shutout innings and allowed only one hit to Colorado.
Archer declared, “Wes is my greatest advocate,” after the Target Field victory of 6-0. “In between starts, we do a lot mental and physical work.”
Johnson expressed pride in the positive impact he has had on Minnesota’s young pitching prospects.
He said, “I believe I brought energy each day.” “I believe that every day, I was prepared to win, just as I am right now and will continue until the end of this road trip. Nobody will ever look at me and say he didn’t show for work.