Brian Meyer Returns to Manage Mighty Mussels in 2022

FORT MYERS, Fla. (January 19, 2022) – The Minnesota Twins have announced that Brian Meyer will return to manage the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels for the 2022 season.

In his first year at the helm in 2021, Meyer guided Fort Myers to a 60-54 record while overseeing the promotion of 17 prospects to the High-A level.

“I’m really excited, along with my family, to be back with the Mussels,” Meyer said. “I am looking forward to being back at Hammond Stadium to continue to develop the younger players in our organization and to bring an exciting style of baseball to the Southwest Florida community.”

The Cleveland, Ohio native joined the Twins’ organization as a minor league hitting coach in 2020 after 13 years in the college ranks. During the pandemic, Meyer worked remotely with several of the organization’s top offensive prospects, using video to improve players from afar.

“Last year Brian did a fantastic job adapting to both his first full season at the professional level and to his first year in a managerial role,” Twins Director of Player Development Alex Hassan said. “Brian holds our players and staff to the highest of standards. We couldn’t be in better hands at the manager spot in Fort Myers.”

The Twins also announced the rest of the Mighty Mussels’ coaching staff. Two of Meyer’s four assistants return to the City of Palms – hitting coach Rayden Sierra and pitching coach Carlos Hernandez. Bench coach Takashi Miyoshi and pitching coach Jared Gaynor were promoted from their roles with the Florida Complex League Twins. Miyoshi managed the FCL Twins in 2021, making him familiar with many of the future Mussels players.

“We have a development-driven staff with a lot of diversity in our backgrounds and within the game, which will help us all continue to grow,” Meyer said. “Yoshi’s experience as a manager and great eye for the intricate details of the game will be a great asset to the staff and players.”

Meyer will head a staff of coaches who have played at every level of baseball – from junior college, to independent pro ball and all the way up to Major League baseball. A full release on the 2022 Mighty Mussels’ staff will be distributed later today.

“We are thrilled to have Brian back to manage the Mighty Mussels in 2022,” Mighty Mussels general manager Judd Loveland said. “His leadership qualities earned the respect of players, staff, fans and the Southwest Florida community alike in 2021. We are excited that Brian will again be a strong asset to the organization this season.”

As a player, Meyer was a three-year starter at second base for Otterbein College (D-3) from 2000-2003. He earned both his bachelor’s degree and Master’s from Otterbein in 2005 and 2009, respectively.

The 39-year-old began his coaching career at Otterbein in 2007, spending three years as the team’s hitting coach and recruiting coordinator. After helping his alma mater reach the Division III NCAA Tournament, Meyer ascended to the Division I level as an assistant coach at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. Meyer helped the Raiders win back-to-back Horizon League titles and coached in the 2011 NCAA Tournament.

Brian moved to New Orleans in 2012, spending five years as the Director of Operations for Tulane University. Once again, Meyer found himself in the NCAA Tournament. After transitioning the Green Wave from Conference USA to the American Athletic Conference, the Green Wave reached back-to-back NCAA Tournaments in 2015 and 2016, going a combined 76-46.

In 2017, Meyer returned to the Midwest. From 2017-2019, he served as an assistant coach at Butler University in Indianapolis before being hired by the Twins. In his collegiate coaching career, Meyer has tutored 42 All-Conference selections, 17 MLB draft picks and three All-Americans.

Brian and his wife Ashley reside in Cape Coral with their son, Walker.