Watkins, Heintz on 2010 minor league staff

The Minnesota Twins announced today that their Minor League managerial and coaching positions have been filled for the 2010 season. Former Red Wings players Chris Heintz and Tommy Watkins will be part of the organization staff.

On Tuesday, the parent club of the Red Wings confirmed that Tom Nieto will begin his first year as manager of the Twins’ Triple-A affiliate in Rochester. Nieto, 48, managed at Double-A New Britain last season, leading the Rock Cats to a 72-69 record and finishing in second place.  He spent the 2008 season as the New York Mets’ first base coach and was their catching instructor the previous three seasons (2005-07) and was a member of the 1987 World Championship team, appearing in 41 games for the Twins.  Bobby Cuellar will return for his second season as pitching coach (also served as the Twins Triple-A pitching coach from 2002-05) and Floyd Rayford will begin his first Triple-A season as coach, after spending the previous five seasons as coach of Double-A New Britain.   Tony Leo will return for his sixth season as trainer for the Red Wings.

Riccardo Ingram returns for his 13th season in the Twins organization, his first as Triple-A and Double-A Hitting Instructor.  Ingram served as the coach at Triple-A Rochester in 2009.<

Nelson Prada will begin his third year as manager of the Twins’ Single-A affiliate Beloit Snappers (Midwest League) after finishing 57-83 last season.  Prada, 33, spent the 2004-07 seasons as manager of the GCL Twins.  Gary Lucas will continue his second stint (2005) as pitching coach after spending the 2006-07 seasons as pitching coach for Double-A New Britain.  Tommy Watkins will begin his first season as coach, after playing in the Twins system from 1998-2009.  Alan Rail will return for his sixth season as trainer with the Snappers.

Chris Heintz will begin his first season as manager of the rookie level Gulf Coast League Twins, and will also run the Twins’ extended Spring Training.  Heintz, 35, was the interim coach at Beloit for the final two months of the 2009 season.  He played in the Twins organization from 2004-07. 

In addition, Joel Lepel returns for his fifth year as the Twins’ minor league field coordinator.  Former Wing Eric Rasmussen returns for his second season as pitching coordinator and Bill Springman returns for his fifth season as hitting coordinator.  John Kertis returns for his fourth season as minor league strength and conditioning coordinator and Lanning Tucker returns for his 12th season as the club’s head minor league trainer and rehab coordinator (19th season with the Twins).  Jose Marzan returns for his fifth season as the Twins’ Latin America coordinator, overseeing Latin America scouting and international field coordinating, while Dave Ringler returns for his 14th season as equipment manager.  Brian Maloney also returns for his fifth season as Florida operations coordinator. 

Also, former Twins’ great Tony Oliva will continue in his role as hitting coach, as well as various duties involving community relations, former manager Tom Kelly will continue in his role as special assistant to the General Manager, and Hall of Famer Paul Molitor will continue in his role as Minor League infield/baserunning coordinator.

Click here for the complete press release from the Twins.