VIDEO: Joey Gallo as a Platooning First Basemen..?

[Matthew Lenz]

This is a head scratching observation more than analysis and anger, but through six games Joey Gallo has been used as a platoon at first base. Is that role really playing to his strengths and what’s best for the team?

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[stringer bell]

You're right, it's much too early to be making such pronouncements. 

As far as can be seen in the future, the Twins will only face one left handed starter in the first 15 games or so. Doesn't it make sense to get all the right handers who do have superior splits against left handers in that one lineup? Given how short benches are anymore, it is really tough to have strict platoons. Yes, Solano did hit for Gallo in Game One of the season (and got a hit!), but he hasn't replaced him against a lefty reliever since. He might at some point depending on the situation. Solano was a better bet to make contact and drive in a key second run when he hit for Gallo in KC.

Regarding Gallo playing first base, getting the best offense in the game versus right handed pitching wouold have Gallo in the game and he's not a terrible first baseman and incidentally is a great target (6'5"). I would argue the the two choices at this time (with Kirilloff and Polanco both on IL and Buxton as the DH), the best offensive alignment is having Gallo at first base. I don't love it, but it is the best situation overall. Gallo might be a better left fielder than Larnach (not by much), but Larnach has never played first base professionally. I don't think Gallo is any better in the field than Kepler as a right fielder and certainly is not a better center fielder than Taylor. 

[JD-TWINS]

Not that much of a head scratcher since we’ve faced 5 RH starters. He’s replacing Kiriloff’s bat v. RH pitching. We have a surplus of left handed bats for corner OF. We got Gallo because of his power potential and his defensive flexibility. We need as many LH bats in line-up as possible v. RH pitching.

Larnach is hitting the cover off the ball.

Larnach can catch fly balls. 

Don’t understand the angst with what the ball club has decided to do?