Rocco Baldelli Named Twins Manager

The Minnesota Twins announced Rocco Baldelli as their next manager Thursday morning.

Fox 9 Sports was first to report the news shortly after midnight.

Minnesota fired Paul Molitor following a 78-84 season, just one year after he was named American League Manager of the Year for leading the Twins (85-77) to a wild-card berth. He went 305-343 in four seasons on the job.

When the team decided to move on from Molitor, it did so while looking for a new direction.

"This wasn't about our record this year," Minnesota chief baseball officer Derek Falvey said earlier this month, per the Associated Press' Dave Campbell (h/t Star-Tribune). "This is about what we think is best as we continue to grow a young team in the direction toward being a championship contender."

Minnesota bench coach Derek Shelton, Chicago Cubs bench coach Brandon Hyde and Houston Astros bench coach Joe Espada are among those who were considered for the vacancy.

The 37-year-old Baldelli does not have any major league managerial experience, but he spent three seasons as the first base coach for the Tampa Bay Rays before taking on the role of major league field coordinator this past season.

Even without having previous experience, Baldelli has been a hot name this fall. He has interviewed for five of the six managerial openings around baseball this offseason, with the Baltimore Orioles the only team that hasn't met with him. According to the Star-Tribune's La Velle E. Neal III, Baltimore is focused on hiring a general manager before a skipper.

If he is indeed hired, Baldelli will become the 31st manager in the history of the Twins.

Baldelli is a former sixth overall pick who spent seven seasons in the majors as an outfielder, six with Tampa Bay and one with the Boston Red Sox. After finishing third in American League Rookie of the Year voting in 2003, his playing career was derailed by injuries.

He last played in 2010.