All of the Twins' full-season minor league teams start tonight except for the Rochester Red Wings, which start tomorrow. No team has the same manager it did last year. Two of the managers, Tommy Watkins and Ramon Borrego, managed in the Twins' system last year, but they managed different teams. The Twins appear to have added a coach, going from two to three, at every level except high-A. I don't know why they didn't add a coach there.
ROCHESTER RED WINGS
Classification: AAA
League: International League
League set-up: There are three divisions in the International League: North, South, and West. There are six teams in the North and four each in the South and West. Four teams go to the playoffs: the three division winners plus a wild card team. The Red Wings play in the North Division.
Home field: Frontier Field
Season opener: April 6 at home against Buffalo.
Manager: Joel Skinner.
Coaches: Batting coach Chad Allen, pitching coach Stu Cliburn, bullpen coach Mike McCarthy
Notable players: Alan Busenitz, Tyler Duffey, Dietrich Enns, John Curtiss, Fernando Romero, Jake Cave, Adalberto Mejia, Aaron Slegers, Willians Astudillo, Gregorio Petit, Zack Granite, Kennys Vargas.
Division opponents: Buffalo Bisons, Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Pawtucket Red Sox, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, Syracuse Chiefs
Other opponents: Charlotte Knights, Columbus Clippers, Durham Bulls, Gwinnett Stripers, Indianapolis Indians, Louisville Bats, Norfok Tides, Toledo Mud Hens
CHATTANOOGA LOOKOUTS
Classification: AA
League: Southern League
League set-up: There are two divisions in the Southern League: North and South. There are five teams in each division. The season is divided into two halves, with the winners of each half qualifying for the playoffs. The Lookouts play in the North Division.
Home field: AT&T Field
Season opener: April 5, home against Birmingham.
Manager: Tommy Watkins.
Coaches: Batting coach Javier Valentin, pitching coach Ivan Arteaga., coach Richard Salazar.
Notable players: Stephen Gonsalves, Felix Jorge, Zack Littell, Kohl Stewart, Lewis Thorpe, Brian Navaretto, Nick Gordon, Edgar Corcino, Max Murphy, LaMonte Wade, Tyler Jay, Brent Rooker, Chris Paul.
Division opponents: Birmingham Barons, Jackson Generals, Montgomery Biscuits, Tennessee Smokies
Other opponents: Biloxi Shuckers, Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, Mississippi Braves, Mobile Bay Bears, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
FORT MYERS MIRACLE
Classification: High A.
League: Florida State League
League set-up: There are two divisions in the Florida State League: North and South. There are six teams in each division. The season is divided into two halves, with the winners of each half qualifying for the playoffs. The Miracle plays in the South Division.
Home field: Hammond Stadium.
Season opener: April 5 at home against Charlotte.
Manager: Ramon Borrego.
Coaches: Batting coach Steve Singleton, pitching coach Henry Bonilla.
Notable players: Clark Beeker, Colton Davis, Tom Hackimer, Anthony Marzi, Sean Poppen, Cody Stashak, Lachlan Wells, Lewin Diaz, Nelson Molina, Aaron Whitefield, Travis Blankenhorn, Jaylin Davis, Mitchell Kranson.
Division opponents: Bradenton Marauders, Charlotte Stone Crabs, Jupiter Hammerheads, Palm Beach Cardinals, St. Lucie Mets
Other opponents: Clearwater Threshers, Daytona Tortugas, Dunedin Blue Jays, Florida Fire Frogs, Lakeland Flying Tigers, Tampa Tarpons.
CEDAR RAPIDS KERNELS
Classification: A
League: Midwest League
League set-up: There are two divisions in the Midwest League: Eastern and Western. There are eight teams in each division. The season is divided into two halves, with the top two teams in each half qualifying for the playoffs. The Kernels play in the Western Division.
Home field: Perfect Game Field
Season opener: April 5 at Quad Cities.
Manager: Toby Gardenhire.
Coaches: Batting coach Brian Dinkelman, pitching coach Justin Willard, pitching coach Cibney Bello.
Notable players: Edwar Colina, Blayne Enlow, Tyler Wells, Ben Rortvedt, Jordan Gore, Royce Lewis, Akil Baddoo, Trey Cabbage, Shane Carrier, Alex Kirilloff, Jovani Moran, Randy Dobnak, Griffin Jax.
Division opponents: Beloit Snappers, Burlington Bees, Clinton LumberKings, Kane County Cougars, Peoria Chiefs, Quad Cities River Bandits, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
Other opponents: Bowling Green Hot Rods, Dayton Dragons, Fort Wayne TinCaps, Great Lakes Loons, Lake County Captains, Lansing Lugnuts, South Bend Cubs, West Michigan Whitecaps
TODAY'S TILTS
5:15 Birmingham (Spencer Adams at Chattanooga (Zack Littell)
6:00 Charlotte (Brock Burke) at Fort Myers (Phil Hughes)
6:35 Cedar Rapids (Bryan Sammons) at Quad Cities (Patrick Sandoval)