The Minnesota Twins are getting all the pieces of the puzzle in place. Whether at the MLB level or in the minors, the Twins organization has seen a plethora of new coaching hires. Recently, Triple-A St. Paul promoted Brian Dinkelman as its new manager, and the Twins brought in former big leaguer Michael A. Taylor as outfield instructor.
To keep the ball rolling, Single-A Fort Myers hired Jordan Smith to be the new administrator. He will lead the Mighty Mussels after spending some time coaching at other organizations.
Twins’ Single-A affiliate hires Minnesota native Jordan Smith as its new manager
Smith, who was entering high school and had just arrived in Willmar from Minneapolis, played his college ball at St. Cloud State and earned All-American honors twice in early 2010. He went on to play six seasons of minor league ball, all under the umbrella of the Cleveland Guardians. He was a career .268 hitter with a few seasons in Triple-A.
Smith also brings a lot of coaching experience despite being only 35 years old. He managed the Lynchburg Hillcats (High-A, Cleveland) for three seasons, including winning a Carolina League championship and Smith being named the league’s Manager of the Year.
The Hillcats posted a 204-185 under Smith. After a decade and a half within the Guardians organization, it was time for Smith to come back home and represent the team he grew up rooting for.
“As I went through interviews with other organizations, the Twins felt like home and the place we wanted to be,” Smith said in the Mighty Mussels press release. “It just takes me back to my younger self. It’s a complete feeling and an opportunity for the family that we’re really excited about.”
Smith’s youth and deep-rooted love for the Minnesota Twins are a huge bonus as he manages players in their late teens and early twenties. In addition to providing proven leadership, he will be able to combine his appreciation for playing for the Twins while understanding the modern nuances of baseball.
This hire feels like a win-win for the Twins. The Mighty Mussels went 52-73 in the Florida State League in 2025. Gemini #7 prospect Dasan Hill was exceptional with Fort Myers in 2025, posting a 2.77 ERA in 16 starts with 68 strikeouts in 52 innings. Yasser Mercedes led the team with 10 home runs, while Jay Thomason hit .298 with eight home runs.
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