Minnesota Twins Add New Pitching Coach, Assistant Athletic Trainer Ahead of 2027 Season

The Minnesota Twins have hired Brian Reith as their major-league pitching coach and promoted Ben Myers to assistant athletic trainer as they begin preparing for 2027. "Welcome to Twins Territory, Brian and Ben! We have announced the hiring of Brian Reith as our pitching coach and Ben Myers as our Assistant Athletic Trainer," the team announced on X.

Reith joins Minnesota after spending the past five seasons as pitching coach for the Tampa Bay Rays' Triple-A affiliate, the Durham Bulls. The 48-year-old will take over for Pete Maki who was fired after Minnesota finished 2026 at 77-85 with a 4.56 ERA that ranked 25th in MLB. Maki simply was not making the most out of the team's talented pitching staff.

Reith's work in Durham with the Rays offers a legitimate track record. From 2022 through 2026, the Bulls' pitching staffs issued 2,714 walks, the fewest in Triple-A over that span.

They ranked fourth with a 1.37 WHIP and fifth with a 4.52 ERA while recording 6,863 strikeouts. Getting ahead in counts and limiting walks was a clear emphasis under Reith, and the hope is that he brings that same philosophy to Minnesota.

He also has existing relationships with pitchers already in the Twins system. Reith coached Joe Ryan at Single-A Bowling Green in 2019 and worked with Taj Bradley as the right-hander progressed through Tampa Bay's organization. Those connections should help him build trust with two of Minnesota's most important rotation pieces from day one.

Reith said after his hiring that throwing strikes comes first, with the goal of reaching two strikes quickly and finishing at-bats efficiently, per Matthew Leach of MLB.com. He also plans to use technology to improve pitchers' deliveries and command, an approach that aligns with how most modern pitching staffs operate. Maki took more of an old-school approach during his tenure.

Before moving into coaching, Reith pitched in parts of three major-league seasons for the Cincinnati Reds from 2001 to 2004, appearing in 73 games and finishing with a 4-12 record and 5.92 ERA across 127 2/3 innings. While he struggled as a player himself, that gives him a unique perspective on what the pitchers he is coaching are going through.

The Twins also promoted Myers, who has spent eight seasons in the organization including the past five with Triple-A St. Paul. He replaces Jason Kirkman on the major-league training staff. Minnesota has not yet announced a replacement for assistant pitching coach Luis Ramirez. Bullpen coach LaTroy Hawkins is returning for 2027.