Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports
Minnesota Twins pitching coach Wes Johnson is leaving to take the same role at LSU.
The Twins announced Monday that Johnson’s last game with the team will be Thursday at Cleveland.
Johnson, 51, has been Minnesota’s pitching coach since the 2019 season.
“Wes Johnson has been an integral part of our organization … and has helped guide our pitchers at the highest level,” Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said in a news release. “His leadership, insight, creativity, and ability to effectively work across a diverse team were hallmarks of his time with the Minnesota Twins. His influence and impact will continue to be realized in Minnesota through the pitchers and staff members he helped mentor. We wish him and his family all the best during his next stop at LSU.”
Johnson coached at Arkansas, Mississippi State, Dallas Baptist and Central Arkansas before jumping to the majors.
Under his guidance, the Twins set franchise records for strikeouts (1,463) in 2019 and strikeouts per nine innings (9.38) in 2020. Three Minnesota pitchers earned All-Star honors on Johnson’s watch: Jose Berrios and Jake Odorizzi in 2019, and Taylor Rogers in 2021.
LSU finished 40-22 (17-13 SEC) in its first season under head coach Jay Johnson in 2022.
–Field Level Media