The Minnesota Twins have found their next pitching coach in Garvin Alston. Who is this new guy who will be giving direction to the Twins pitching in 2018?
There was plenty of speculation about who would take the position of Minnesota Twins pitching coach after Neil Allen‘s firing a couple weeks ago. Many names were floated around including a splashy one like Mike Maddux. There were also reports of bringing back a former player in Carl Willis who was hired by the division rival Cleveland Indians on Thursday. In the end, the Twins decided on 2017 Oakland Athletics bullpen coach Garvin Alston.
Alston has also coached with the Arizona Diamondbacks as their bullpen coach in 2016. From 2005-2015 he was with the Oakland Athletics in different minor league positions. He was pitching coach of the Class A Kane County Cougars (2005-2006) as well as the High-A Stockton Ports (2007-2008). From there Alston stepped into the minor league rehab coordinator role (2009-2014) and spent 2015 as the minor league pitching coordinator.
While many fans and speculators loved to talk about those bigger names as a potential splashy hire for the Twins. This seems like the type of hire we may have been expecting from the Twins front office. It seems to fit a similar approach as the one they took to hire Twins hitting coach James Rowson. Funny fact, it that may not be the only commonality, Rowson and Alston are both from Mount Vernon, NY.
Coincidence new pitching coach Garvin Alston and hitting coach James Rowson both from Mount Vernon, NY. Knew each other as Little Leaguers
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) October 26, 2017
It does appear one of the strengths to Alston’s resume was his experience as Oakland’s minor league pitching rehab coordinator. Two tweets from Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press tell us a little about that:
Falvey on Alston's background as pitching rehab coordinator: "We learned how much impact he had on some of those pitchers."
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) October 26, 2017
And…
Falvey on rehab background: "Garvin's experience there will only help to foster relationships and help guys get over a hump." #mntwins
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) October 26, 2017
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Getting over the hump is exactly what this current Twins pitching roster needs. It would be nice to think the Twins would have the financial flexibility to go out and sign some impact arms to create a more competitive pitching staff. The reality has always been that whoever was hired as pitching coach would have to figure out how to get the best out of the guys that are currently within the Twins fold.
Alston now has the task of taking Jose Berrios those final steps into the ace level pitcher that is hoped of him. He will see if the resurrection of Kyle Gibson can continue, help groom Stephen Gonsalves and Fernando Romero as they are on their way to the big leagues, and develop the group of relievers that need to continue to be made into impact major league arms such as Trevor Hildenberger and Gabriel Moya. Alston will also be able to use that rehabbing experience as Nick Burdi, J.T. Chargois, and Trevor May make their return from injury.
Next: Tyler Jay finding health in Arizona
It is hard to know exactly what this move will mean for the Twins from a pitching philosophy standpoint. For the moment we will simply hope it turns out like the Rowson hiring. Welcome to the Minnesota Twins Garvin Alston!