Clayton McCullough
One non-household name to keep in mind should the Twins move on from Baldelli after this season is Clayton McCullough. It's a name that might have a lot of Minnesotans asking "WHO?!?!?" but McCullough, currently the first base coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers, is a rising prospect among managerial candidates.
Depending on how the Dodgers fare this postseason — current manager Dave Roberts is perpetually on the hot seat as the on-field leader of the heavy-spending MLB glamour club — McCullough could end up ascending to the rank of manager for the Los Angeles. However, if Roberts survives, 2025 could see 44-year-old McCullough get his managerial shot elsewhere in MLB.
McCullough has interviewed for managerial openings in the past. In 2021, he lost out to Buck Showalter to be the New York Mets manager. Last December, he interviewed for the Guardians' managerial opening, but was beaten out by Vogt in the race to succeed Francona.
Despite not being named the Guardians manager, McCullough reportedly left a "strong impression" on the Cleveland front office.
A career minor-leaguer for seven seasons in the Toronto Blue Jays organization, McCullough was hired by the Dodgers as a minor league field coordinator after his playing career ended in 2014. He has been Los Angeles' first base coach since 2021.
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