Brian Dinkelman named new manager of St. Paul Saints

The St. Paul Saints announced a change atop their dugout when Brian Dinkelman was named manager, succeeding Toby Gardenhire, who was promoted during the offseason to Major League Field Coordinator on the Minnesota Twins coaching staff under new manager Derek Shelton. It marks the first time since the Saints became the Twins Triple-A affiliate in 2021 that Gardenhire will not lead the club.

Dinkelman, 42, becomes only the second manager in the Saints' Triple-A era. He arrives with a strong track record in the Twins system: a 443-348 managerial record since 2019, a .560 winning percentage and the fifth-most victories among Minor League managers over that span. His lowest winning percentage in a season was .515 in 2024. Gardenhire sits one spot behind him with 431 wins, underlining the depth of managerial experience in the Twins farm system.

This will be Dinkelman's first season at Triple-A after six seasons in Cedar Rapids and 2025 at Double-A Wichita. He debuted as a manager at Single-A Cedar Rapids in 2019, going 78-62, winning the second-half title and advancing in the playoffs. His 2023 Kernels posted the best record in the Minor Leagues at 82-50 (.621), captured the Midwest League title and earned Dinkelman Baseball America Minor League Manager of the Year honors. He is in his 12th season in the Twins organization, starting as a coach in 2015, and brings familiarity with player development and the organization’s approach to hitting and pitching.

The Saints also announced a mix of returning staff and new hires that emphasize continuity in player development. Carlos Hernandez returns for his second season as a Saints pitching coach and begins his ninth year in the Twins organization; last season the Saints were tied for fourth in the International League with 1,315 strikeouts. He’ll be joined by Ryan Ricci, who spent 2025 with Wichita and helped that staff lead the Texas League in fewest walks (440) and rank third in ERA (3.95).

On the offensive side, Shawn Schlechter returns for his third season with the Saints and seventh in the Twins system. The 2025 Saints ranked fourth in walks (653), sixth in on-base percentage (.345) and tied for sixth in home runs (170). Schlechter will pair with CJ Baker, the new Hitting & Development Coach who spent 2025 at High-A Cedar Rapids.

The broader support staff mixes long-time team personnel and fresh faces: Strength & Conditioning Coach Stephen Hopkins (third season), Lead Athletic Trainer Chase Thompson (first season), Assistant Athletic Trainer Ben Myers (fifth), Clubhouse Manager Matt Tramp (sixth), Coordinator, Baseball Technology Alek Hughes (fifth) and Jared Kahn joining as Fellow, Baseball Technology (first).

For fans and local baseball followers, Dinkelman's hire signals a continuation of the Saints' dual mission: winning at Triple-A while preparing players for big-league call-ups. His history of developing hitters and pitchers, plus the return of key coaches, should keep St. Paul a vital stepping stone in the Twins pipeline. Expect Dinkelman’s first Triple-A season to be both a proving ground for his managerial style and a barometer for talent the Twins may be eyeing for Minneapolis later in 2026.