Rocco Baldelli’s new pitching coach is experienced with analytics and has a strong history of development.



The Twins on Friday named the University of Arkansas’ Wes Johnson as their pitching coach. Johnson held the same role the past two seasons for the Razorbacks, who in June lost to Oregon State in the College World Series championship.



He also previously was the pitching coach at Mississippi State University, Dallas Baptist University and Central Arkansas.



The Twins also are promoting Jeremy Hefner, who on Friday was officially named the team’s assistant pitching coach for next season. Hefner spent the previous two seasons as the Twins’ advanced scout.



The Twins also on Friday announced the hires of third-base coach Tony Diaz, who spent the past two seasons on the coaching staff of the Colorado Rockies, and first-base coach Tommy Watkins, a former Twins player and longtime minor-league coach.



Johnson’s bio...