Knapp joins the coaching staff after 12 seasons as the minor league pitching coordinator for the Minnesota Twins.

He replaces Chuck Hernandez, who was fired along with bullpen coach Jeff Jones last month at the end of Detroit's disappointing 74-88 season.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland said in a statement that Knapp brings "an excellent track record of developing major league-caliber pitchers."

Knapp began his coaching career as the pitching coach at Class A Gastonia in 1988. He pitched five seasons at the minor league level with the Texas Rangers.

Knapp has drawn plenty of praise from the Twins organization over the years for his work with several prospects. He was instrumental in helping Nick Blackburn overcome a knee problem, weight gain and confidence loss to rise through the system and land a spot in the Twins' rotation this spring.