This my first TD blog, so, we'll see how it goes. From '13-'18, Dozier played very good 2B even when he was hurt. The "keystone" is a valuable up the middle position where range & turning a slick DP should be prerequisite for a 2Bman. But since '19, Twins philosophy is that they can hide defensive challenged players at 2B. Twins started the '19 season with Schoop but later went with Arraez. Don't get me wrong I love Arraez as a hitter but a 2Bman he was sub-par. 

It's very difficult to judge defense even with OAA & DRS, but double plays are something more straightforward. Here below I have listed where the Twins rated each year since '19.

Season '26-  Keaschal & company  #23         ,68 DP/ games

Season '25-  Clemens & Keaschal  #30                                   Correa played more than half the season at SS

Season '24-  Julien primary            #30         .45 DP/ game     Correa at SS

Season  '23-  Julien primary           #30                                      Correa at SS

Season  '22-  hurt Polanco              #22         .73 DP/ game

Season  '21-  Polanco                       #09         

Season  '20-  Arraez                        #26         .63 DP/ game

Season  '19-  Schoop/ Arraez          #18

DPs are a pitchers best friend, where are they for the Twins? 2B is a lesser prime position, & IMO, Twins should be in the top 10 to really compete. Twins tried to hide Arraez, Julien & Keaschal for years until they could no longer fool the fanbase. Twins' lackadaisical attitude on defense especially at 2B is alarming & has cost us a lot of games. Who was our best choice at 2B, the last few years? It was Austin Martin. After experimenting with Martin's hitting & at SS, in '23 they left him alone & played him mainly at 2B. He looked pretty good for his 1st real look there, In '24 they threw him in the MLB OF. In 24 & '25 he didn't look bad his few times at 2B. If given regular playing time & proper coaching at 2B our 2B situation would be much better.

Now I'd like to discuss Martins hitting. With his early years in MN, they tried to make him into a slugger, that didn't work. He said enough & went back to his own swing. In MLB '24 he had 163 ABs against (RHPs) for a .313 OBP & 70 ABs against (LHPs) for a .326 OBP. He had more than 2X more ABs facing RHPs, with similar OBP & even slightly higher SLUG against RHPs. In MLB '25, he had 104 ABs against (RHPs) for a .361 OBP & 52 ABs against (LHPs) for a .404 OBP. Although he had less ABs he still had 2:1 RHP to LHP ratio. All his numbers were considerably higher & his SLUG & OBP was considerable higher with LHPs.  Until '26, he faced more than 2X RHPs than LHPs.

In '26, he blossomed having over .500 OBP until May when they decided to demote Wallner, then it fell off a cliff. I look at him now & he's a different hitter. What caused the decline? Could it be that he was playing fulltime? IMO, no because he played a lot while in the MiLB. Could it be facing more RHPs? Again, IMO, no, because until now, he has faced more RHPs & has done well. Martin is a good contact hitter that has good ABs, his slump is baffling. So, what is it? This is only my theory mind you. Baldelli learned to leave him alone, but Shelton & his coaching staff are new & with Wallner demoted, IMO they wanted Martin to hit with more power to compensate for Wallner's absence & again changed his hitting. My summation is that this tinkering with his swing has caused this funk. Instead of constantly trying to change Martin, they should better evaluate him & play him to his strengths not to their wants. Everyone would be happier.