The 6 Most Impactful Josh Donaldson Intangibles

[Nash Walker]

Josh Donaldson was introduced as a Minnesota Twin on Wednesday.

 

“I don’t want to just impact your team on the field, I want to impact your entire organization. This could be my final contract, and I want to leave an impact on the organization,” Donaldson said.

 

What qualities does he have that could accomplish this?Pedigree

 

Donaldson owns an MVP Award and has played in seven postseasons. Since 2013, he leads all third basemen with at least 2,500 at-bats in OPS (.901) and wRC+ (145). There is one position player with more fWAR than Donaldson since 2013: Mike Trout.

 

A resume of his stature goes a long way in encouraging others to buy in. He has built an exceptional amount of respect from the league. As former Twins centerfielder Torii Hunter said on Skor North, "he has done damage on the game."

 

Self-made mindset

 

Donaldson was not always a household name. In 2012, Brandon Inge went down with a shoulder injury, and the now ‘Bringer of Rain’ earned a chance to play for the Athletics in his already age-26 season. By 2013, he was a full-fledged star for the A’s, producing 7.3 fWAR and finishing fourth in the MVP race.

 

He noted in his press conference Wednesday that he believes he was once the worst player in MLB. He wasn’t handed anything, and he knows the value of hard work and dedication.

 

Incredible knowledge of the game

 

Donaldson is a hitting guru. He frequently breaks down how he made adjustments and rejected “traditional” methods of learning the craft. His swing is compact, violent, and carefully constructed. He turned himself into a perennial 40 home run threat with a specified and focused approach.

 

 

Giving a 34-year-old player $92 million over four years seems ill-advised, but this isn’t just any other player. Donaldson posted career highs in average exit velocity, barrel rate, and hard hit percentage in 2019. He is a true masher at the plate, and his intelligence is vital.

 

 

 

Comparisons to Twins’ top prospects

 

With a powerful leg kick and a natural generation of thump, having Donaldson mentor Royce Lewis seems destined. Donaldson is extremely passionate about hitting and combined with Nelson Cruz, who had tremendous influence on Miguel Sanó, can carry out as a teacher of the game.

 

Donaldson is not just a baseball addition, he is a developmental addition. He wants to lead the young Twins on a similar path of success. Donaldson played with young star Ronald Acuña Jr. last season, and the two seemed to connect on a special level.

 

Swagger and competitiveness

 

Much has been said about the ‘edge’ that Donaldson carries. After signing with Atlanta last year, Donaldson was asked what he'll bring to the Braves. His response, according to David O’Brien of The Athletic, “I don’t know, have you ever looked at the back of my baseball card?” Donaldson said. “That’s probably what I can bring.”

 

On Tuesday, the three-time All-Star expressed his craving for victory.

 

"I enjoy winning," Donaldson said. "I think over my entire career, I’ve been pretty successful at doing that and establishing an environment that’s successful for winning, and ultimately it comes down to competing. I’ve enjoyed competing ever since I was a very small child. The other end of that is I don’t enjoy losing."

 

Familiarity with success

 

A winning culture has been instilled in Minnesota and their new addition oozes triumph. Donaldson has played in over 155 games five times for three different teams. All five of those teams made the playoffs and three won their division. Their combined record was 463-347, or an average of 93 wins per season. He received MVP votes in all five of those campaigns.

 

Donaldson is a phenomenal baseball player with clear tools and ability, but his personality and demeanor are maybe equally as impactful.

 

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[RaoulDuke]

Cruz deserves a ton of credit for coming in and being an offensive force at his age, he deserves more credit for how good a leader and teacher he is.  Donaldson seems to be of a similar mindset. 

 

When Cruz retires the Twins now have that veteran leader to take over.

 

Donaldson has gotten some flak, mostly earlier in his career, for his clubhouse chemistry because of his personality and willingness to call out what he sees.  He has also gotten praise as a clubhouse leader. 

 

He seems to have added a lot to his bedside manner as he has aged.  That desire to improve others from a vet with his knowledge/ approach/ experience/ current prowess will be a major boon to the Twins.  Donaldson knows how to hit and knows how to talk about it, he is also absurdly competitive and driven to win now.

 

He wasn't plan A, but he is a near perfect fit for so many of this Team's needs. 

 

 

[Tommygun921]

I love players that play with fire and emotion. That's why I loved Torii Hunter so much. And although I didn't agree with a lot of his practices, I definitely loved that about Ron Gardenhire.

[Doctor Gast]

Totally agree w/ what have been written which in the long run & everything considered Donaldson will prove to everyone that he`s worth every penny he`ll get.

He seems like a great mentor. He can help so much to teach our young hitters w/ his refined compact swing. Sano to shorten his swing & Lewis to find his style that works

[Channing1964]

You dont find winners in the paperwork of the analytics department....but we found a winner now.