MINNEAPOLIS — The first piece of Derek Shelton’s coaching staff has fallen into place, and it’s a very familiar name for Twins fans.
LaTroy Hawkins, who spent nine seasons pitching for the Twins and has also been a member of the club’s broadcast team and a special assistant in the front office, will serve as the team’s new bullpen coach, a source told MLB.com. He replaces Colby Suggs, who had held the role since 2022.
Hawkins, 52, is a familiar and popular face in the Twins clubhouse and was a highly respected player during his 21-year Major League career. He came up with Minnesota as a starter but thrived in a relief role, tallying 127 saves in 1,042 career appearances for 11 organizations.
The club has not officially announced the hire of Hawkins, whose appointment comes two days after Shelton’s formal introduction as the 15th manager in franchise history. Both Shelton and members of the Twins’ front office have indicated that some of previous manager Rocco Baldelli’s staff might be maintained, but that there will be plenty of new faces as well.
