Twins Hire Grady Sizemore as New Coach
The Minnesota Twins have added former MLB outfielder Grady Sizemore to their coaching staff. Sizemore, who played primarily for the Cleveland Guardians, brings a wealth of experience in both playing and coaching.
Grady Sizemore’s Role with the Twins
Sizemore will serve as the first base coach under new manager Derek Shelton. In addition, he will be responsible for outfield and baserunning instruction. Ramon Borrego, the previous first base coach, will now coach third base while continuing to work with infielders.
Sizemore’s Career Highlights
Once a fierce competitor against the Twins, Sizemore had a remarkable playing career that began in 2004. He was a three-time All-Star and won two Gold Gloves as well as a Silver Slugger award, showcasing his all-around abilities on the field.
From 2004 to 2008, Sizemore appeared destined for a Hall of Fame career. During this span, he played 682 MLB games and posted impressive statistics:
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Batting Average | .279 |
| On-base Percentage | .370 |
| Slugging Percentage | .491 |
| Home Runs | 111 |
| Doubles | 117 |
His performance during those years was valued at nearly 26 wins above replacement (WAR) according to Baseball-Reference, while FanGraphs credited him with over 28 WAR. Unfortunately, recurring injuries limited his playing time after 2008.
Coaching Journey and Future with the Twins
After retiring in 2015, Sizemore took an important step back into baseball through an internship with the Arizona Diamondbacks. His coaching journey continued when he joined the Chicago White Sox as part of their staff.
During a turbulent 2024 season, Sizemore was named interim manager after the White Sox fired Pedro Grifol. Although he was a candidate for the permanent managerial position that went to Will Venable, Sizemore remained with the team as their offensive coordinator in 2025.
Coaching Staff Changes with the Twins
- Ramon Borrego moved to third base coach
- Retention of pitching coach Pete Maki
- Hiring of LaTroy Hawkins as the new bullpen coach
- Departures: Tommy Watkins, Jayce Tingler, Hank Conger, and Colby Suggs
The Twins are now considering Yankees hitting coach James Rowson as a possible bench coach. Rowson previously served as the Twins’ hitting coach from 2017 to 2019.
With these changes, the Twins are positioning themselves for a competitive season ahead under the leadership of Derek Shelton and the newly formed coaching staff.
