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Brian Dinkelman (Photo by Brad Krause/Four Seam Images)
Brian Dinkelman had toiled in the Twins organization for 17 years, all but six weeks of it in the minor leagues, without ever winning a championship.
And it showed.
That drought ended in 2023, when the High-A Cedar Rapids Kernels fought their way to the franchise’s first Midwest League title in nearly three decades. The ecstatic players were armed with sparkling cider in a jubilant home clubhouse, poised to drench each other in celebration—and their manager was nowhere to be found.
“Dink kept the players waiting a little bit longer than maybe they were hoping for,” Twins farm director Drew MacPhail said, laughing at the memory.
“He was out on the field, because staff members, stadium personnel and a bunch of fans wanted their pictures taken with him on such a big night. And he obliged them all.
“It shows you what a connection he has with that community. And the players waited for him, which shows you how much respect he has in that clubhouse.”
And not just in that small-town Iowa clubhouse, his office for the past seven years, but around the game. Dinkelman has guided Cedar Rapids to winning records and a playoff berth in each of his four seasons as manager and has posted a career .574 winning percentage, including an 82-50 record (.621) in 2023 that was the best in the minor leagues.
He also guided 14 players—and counting—on a path that took them to the majors.
With a track record like that, the low-key Dinkelman was an easy choice as the 2023 BA Minor League Manager of the Year.
“He’s so deserving. He handles every challenge you can throw at him,” MacPhail said. “This year, he had one of the youngest rosters in the Midwest League, and probably the youngest, least-experienced coaching staff as well. And then to put up the best record in minor league ball, and finish the job with a championship, it was just awesome to watch.”
The Twins got to watch Dominican center fielder Emmanuel Rodriguez crack 16 home runs at the age of 20, righthander Cody Lewis strike out 63 hitters with a 2.32 ERA in 63 innings and right fielder Kala’i Rosario earn league MVP honors with 21 homers and an .832 OPS.
And watch Dinkelman help them develop into future major leaguers.
“He has an incredible feel for the game, but he has an incredible feel for their space, too,” MacPhail said. “He’s not their boss, if that…