Former Twins player Brian Dinkelman named new baseball manager for Wichita Wind Surge
A former Major League Baseball player is headed to Wichita to manage the Wind Surge.
The Minnesota Twins announced their minor league coaching assignments for the upcoming 2025 season on Wednesday with Brian Dinkelman, who has managed the organization’s High-A club in Cedar Rapids the past five seasons, being named the new manager for the Double-A affiliate in Wichita. Former manager Ramon Borrego received a promotion to the big-league staff earlier this offseason.
Dinkelman, 41, was an accomplished NAIA player at McKendree College in Illinois, then played eight seasons in Minnesota’s organization from 2006-13, including 23 games for the Twins in 2011. He has since enjoyed success as a manager in the Twins organization, as he guided Cedar Rapids to four playoff appearances in five seasons and was named the Minor League Manager of the Year by Baseball America in 2023 after leading the Kernals to a 78-58 record and the Midwest League championship.
“I’ve been fortunate to have some of the Wichita players come through us as the High-A team, so I’ve seen a lot of the players and hopefully will get the chance to coach them again this year,” Dinkelman told The Eagle. “I’m excited to get to Wichita and get on the field and win some baseball games and hopefully bring some winning baseball to Wichita this summer.”
Prior to being named manager in Cedar Rapids, Dinkelman served as the team’s hitting coach from 2016-18 and began his coaching career in 2015 with the GCL Twins. In five seasons as manager, Dinkelman has a career .562 winning percentage with a 367-286 record.
Dinkelman will be joined on staff by pitching coaches Ryan Ricci and Jesus Sanchez, hitting coaches Andrew Cresci and Yeison Perez, strength and conditioning coach Meagan Vota, athletic trainer Chase Thompson, assistant athletic trainer Asja Morello and baseball technology coordinator Chase Carder.
Perez is the only staff member who has past experience with Dinkelman, who said he is most looking forward to checking out Equity Bank Park upon his arrival. The Wind Surge open the season at Springfield on April 4 and play their first home game on Tuesday, April 8, against the Midland RockHounds.
“From the players who have been there and the other staff members that I have talked to, everyone has said it’s an amazing ballpark and it’s the best in the league by far,” Dinkelman said. “I’m looking forward to getting the chance to manage there and spend this next season in Wichita.”
This story was originally published January 22, 2025 at 10:49 AM.
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