2023 Minnesota Twins Predictions: Who Gets the Hardware?

[Seth Stohs]

Over the past week, we sent a 2023 predictions survey to all Twins Daily writers. We also posted a similar survey in the Twins Daily forums and promoted it on Twitter. Earlier today, we shared the results of Part 1 (Wins, Division rank). In Part 2, we are handing out preseason awards. 

Image courtesy of William Parmeter

24 Twins Daily writers responded to our survey, while approximately 110 Twins Daily readers or Twitter followers responded. Will they have any Silver Slugger or Gold Glove Award winners? Who will be their top hitters and pitchers?

With Questions 1-3, we discussed predictions for how many Wins the Twins will record and where they will finish in the AL Central. Today, we'll discuss our 2023 preseason picks for some Twins awards. 

Question 4: Will the Twins have any Silver Slugger Award winners for the 2023 season? If so, who? 
Nine of the 24 Twins Daily writers (37.5%) wrote that the Twins would not have a Silver Slugger winner. 48 of the 110 fan respondents (43.6%) agree that the Twins hitters will be shut out. Nearly half of the writers believe Carlos Correa will win at shortstop. Eight think Byron Buxton will win, though we didn't ask them to specify if he would win as an outfielder or a DH. The Twins Daily respondents agreed with the writers. About 25% think Correa will be the top-hitting shortstop. Buxton received nearly 13% of the vote. 

After that, several players received one or two votes. Jose Miranda came in third in voting by both groups. He's undoubtedly been crushing the ball this spring. 

Question 5: Will the Twins have Gold Glove Award winners for the 2023 season? If so, who? 
The results are different on this one. 42% of our fan respondents don't think the Twins will have Gold Gloves. Just three of the 24 Twins Daily writers (12.5%) think the Twins will be shut out of the Gold Glove hardware. The respondents chose Carlos Correa on the most ballots, 33%, followed by Byron Buxton (21%) and Max Kepler at 13%. Michael A. Taylor and Christian Vazquez also fared well among fans. 

Byron Buxton led the voting for the Twins Daily writers with ten votes. The only question will again be whether or not he gets enough time in the outfield. Correa appeared on one-third of 'ballots.' Max Kepler (6) and Taylor (5) each have a shot in the outfield as well. 

Question 6: Who will be the Twins' top rookie in 2023? 
He was the talk of spring training, so it is no surprise to see Edouard Julien at the top of both rankings. He received nearly 50% of the TD writers' votes and just over 50% of our respondents. Royce Lewis came in second place on both lists. He can come off the 60-Day Injured List at the end of May. He will likely have a couple of weeks of rehab under his belt, so by June 1st, Lewis could be optioned and spend some time in St. Paul, or if things are going well, that's the earliest he could return to the Twins. Louie Varland ranked third on the writers' list, while Brooks Lee took that spot on the respondents' ranking. 

Others that received votes in this category are Simeon Woods Richardson, Matt Wallner, and Cole Sands. 

2023 Top Twins Rookie (Preseason): Edouard Julien. 

Question 7: Who will be the Most Improved Twins player in 2023?
This can be a very interesting category. "Most Improved" can mean something different to different people. Could it be a young player who just got a cup of coffee getting more opportunities? Could it be a player returning from injury or after a disappointing season? 

As I reviewed the Twins Daily writer ballots, the first eight I looked at were different. Twenty-four voters, and they listed nine different players. However, Trevor Larnach received one-third of the votes. On the other respondent ballots, Larnach and Max Kepler each were mentioned by 27 people. Others who received more than a few votes include Jose Miranda, Joey Gallo, and Ryan Jeffers. 

2023 Most Improved Twins Player (Preseason): Trevor Larnach. 

Question 8: Who will be the Twins' top starting pitcher in 2023?
The Twins have six starters for five spots this season which unfortunately means that Bailey Ober is starting the season with the Saints, where he will team with Louie Varland and Simeon Woods Richardson. So who will be the best? 

Both sets of voters were in agreement on this one. Pablo Lopez will be the Twins' top pitcher this season, receiving about half of the votes. The fans ranked Joe Ryan second and Sonny Gray third, while our Twins Daily writers flip-flopped those two. 

2023 Twins Top Starting Pitcher (Preseason): Pablo Lopez 

Question 9: Who will be the Twins' top relief pitcher in 2023?
No surprise here. And frankly, no surprise that the 'vote' was this lopsided. Jhoan Duran received 23 of 24 votes from the Twins Daily writers and 99 out of 110 from the respondents. Griffin Jax (5) and Jorge Lopez (3) also received votes. 

2023 Twins Top Relief Pitcher (Preseason): Jhoan Duran. 

Question 10: Who will be the Twins' top hitter in 2023?
The names here won't surprise you. Of the Twins Daily fans, Carlos Correa received 49 votes. That was followed by 29 votes for Jose Miranda and 22 votes for Byron Buxton. The Twins Daily writers arrived at a tie. Correa and Buxton each received ten votes. Miranda received the other four votes. 

2023 Twins Top Hitter (Preseason): Carlos Correa. 

As the season begins today, please leave your predictions for these awards in the COMMENTS below, and discuss your thoughts on the players. 

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[Doctor Wu]

Who will be the Twins' top hitter in 2023?

How do we qualify this one? Based on batting average? OBP? OPS? Slugging percentage, or which metric ? I'm old school, so all these new stats and measurements tend to make my head spin! For overall hitting, I'll go out on a limb and suggest Nick Gordon!

[JD-TWINS]

The interesting thing I learned today was that the new Trainer stated that Lewis could be playing in games by mid-April. Wow! Great recovery and great news. He won’t play in games for a couple months but it sounds like he’s a lock for being available by mid-June. That’s really encouraging for added potential depth - early enough in the year so that it may make a difference.

Q: (too early to worry about it) Who would Lewis displace on the 26 man if Polanco & Kiriloff are back? 

[DocBauer]

#4] I don't know about any Silver Slugger awards. Frankly, it would be nice, but I don't care as long as the overall production is there for the team. But I don't think it's a stretch to say Correa and Buxton are the prime candidates to potentially win one. Miranda might have a decent shot. And I'd never discount Polanco to win one if his tendinitis heals up in a few weeks and he's good to go for the rest of the year. But he's got stiff competition. 

#5] Gold Glove possibilities have to be Correa and Buxton.

#6] I am completely torn on top rookie. I am just such a fan and believer in Julien. And he's going to play and contribute this season. The biggest question is WHEN he arrives. I still look at Lewis making his debut around July. No need to rush him. The long game matters more than immediacy. But he's so damn talented, so good, and can help in multiple ways and multiple spots that I'm going to pick him, even with only half a season.

#7] Most improved player? Take your pick between Larnach and Kirilloff. The only thing either needs is health. Larnach has it now. A month or so from now. AK is going to get his stroke back and feel confident in his wrist. BOTH of them have a chance to make a major difference this season, in addition to beyond. Push comes to shove, Larnach might be the choice since he's ready NOW. Don't be surprised to see an improved Jeffers.

#8] I'm going to say Lopez as top SP. But I still have a gut feeling Mahle is going to force the Twins to offer a viable extension after he puts 2022 behind him.

#9] I really like the first 6 in the pen, with reservations about the last 2 spots that I hope will get settled within a month or so, understanding there will be movement throughout the season. But how can anyone pick against Duran?