Should the Twins Give Ryan Jeffers a Look at First Base?

[Cody Schoenmann]

With the Twins operating short-handed at first base, they have resorted to giving a majority of starts to Joey Gallo, Donovan Solano, and even Christian Vázquez. Should hot-hitting Ryan Jeffers get an opportunity at first base?

Image courtesy of Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

After the All-Star break, the Twins appeared set to roll out a rotation of Joey Gallo, Donovan Solano, and Alex Kirilloff at first base, with Kirilloff being the primary starter. 

Initially, the Twins' plan worked flawlessly, highlighted by Kirilloff winning AL Player of the Week for July 17-23, hitting .345/.394/.793 (1.187) with three home runs, two doubles, a triple, and four multi-hit games. Unfortunately, Kirilloff was placed on the 10-day IL with a shoulder issue at the end of July and has been out since.

Twins Current Situation at First Base
With Kirilloff placed on the 10-day IL, the Twins have given substantial playing time to Gallo and Solano.

On the surface, Gallo and Solano's numbers since Kirilloff went on the 10-day IL are shockingly incredible. Let's look at their numbers since July 30.

• Joey Gallo: .240/.406/.600 (1.006), 32 PA, six hits, three home runs, 40.6% Strikeout Percentage (K%), .360 Isolated Power (ISO), 177 wRC+
• Donovan Solano: .500/.538/.542 (1.080), 26 PA, 12 hits, zero home runs, 15.4% K%, .042 ISO, 213 wRC+

Initially, these numbers are incredible. But, if you dig below the surface, there is more than meets the eye. 

If you were to take out Gallo's 4-for-4 performance against the Philadelphia Phillies last weekend, he is hitting .095/.296/.238 (.534) in 27 plate appearances with two hits, zero home runs, a 48.1% K%, .143 ISO, and a wRC+ of just 64. 

Gallo's incredible 4-for-4 game exemplifies how one substantial game can manipulate how great or lackluster a player's numbers can look over a small sample size, but it also changed how those who follow the Twins perceive Gallo, at least in the short term. 

If Gallo hadn't gone 4-for-4 with a walk and instead went 1-or-4 with a single and a walk, those who follow the Twins would be just as eager to move on from Gallo as they were less than a week ago. Gallo has bought himself more time, but his one-off outstanding performance should not be seen as the start of an upward trend for Gallo but as a one-off occurrence that likely will not happen again.

On the other hand, Solano has been a solid player, and the numbers he has put up since Kirilloff was placed on the IL aren't nearly the mirage that Gallo's are. The only problem is that Solano sustained a right knee sprain while facing the Detroit Tigers last week, which looked much more severe during the initial play. 

Solano returned on Sunday, going 3-for-5 against the Philadelphia Phillies. Despite hitting well, Solano looked like he was physically struggling during the game showing signs of pain during his at-bats.

In the game that Solano returned to the Twins lineup, catcher Christian Vázquez played first base. Vázquez starting at first base will not become a normal occurrence, but it illustrates how the Twins are desperately attempting to find competent players to play at first base for the time being.

Another new element in this equation is Jordan Luplow. Despite being labeled as a first baseman, Luplow has only played 113 1/3 major-league innings at first base, with 107 1/3 of those innings coming with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2021. 

Luplow, in theory, could play first base, but the Twins seem inclined to play him in left field against left-handed starting pitching, as evidenced by the fact that he has played 27 innings in left field and just three innings at first base with the Twins. 

Gallo, Solano, Vázquez, and Luplow would work as a rotation at first base, but what if another member of the Twins' 26-man roster could play first base? And what if that player was stuck in a positional timeshare with the aforementioned Vázquez yet deserving more at-bats? 

Why Not Ryan Jeffers?
Jeffers has been incredible since Kirilloff was placed on the 10-day IL and deserves increased playing time, and this is where he could slot in perfectly at first base. Here are Jeffers numbers since July 30:

• .278/.381/.694 (1.075), 42 PA, ten hits, four home runs, 33.3% K%, .417 ISO, 191 wRC+

Jeffers' numbers are impressive and fit the criteria of what an above-average power-hitting first baseman's ideal statistics would look like.

Despite fitting the first base archetype, there is one caveat. Jeffers, 26, has played five professional innings at first base, which came in 2021 with the Triple-A St. Paul Saints. 

Jeffers' lack of playing time at first base is a reason for concern, and despite popular belief, first base isn't an elementary position that anyone can play adequately. There is nuance and complex positioning assignments that can be difficult for players to learn, especially on the fly. 

That being said, first base is one of the lowest positions on the defensive spectrum and, as shown with Vázquez, the Twins appear willing to push their limits at the position. So, why not put a player who has been contributing at a near-elite offensive level for quite some time?

Another element of value that Jeffers possesses is that he is a right-handed hitter. Playing the right-handed hitting Jeffers at first base would give the Twins more flexibility for when they platoon versus left-handed starting pitchers.

For example, the Twins could play Jeffers at first base, Vázquez at catcher, Solano at designated hitter, Luplow at left field, and so on.

The Twins are in a pinch at first base and have been forced to play Gallo nearly every game, even when facing left-handed pitching. With Solano still hurt and Kirilloff likely not returning until at least late September, the Twins may be forced to take an unconventional approach to the position for the season's final months. 

Instead of continuing to give significant at-bats to a struggling Gallo and an injured Solano or being forced to play Vázquez at a position where his defensive value is essentially snuffed, the Twins could get the best of both worlds by playing the offensively surging and wide-framed Jeffers.

Do you think the Twins should give Ryan Jeffers a look at first base? Comment below.

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[gman]

I would prefer not to play either Jeffers or Vasquez at first. Since the Twins have had so much trouble against lefties, I would drop Gallo and add back Garlick to the roster. He has played 20 games at first base for St Paul this year.

If Kirilloff doesn't make it back this year, Gallo may be the better option for the position, but I also expect the Twins to see all the lefties that their opponents in the playoffs have.

[Trov]

No, we do not need to send him out there.  His bat has been good to great, but that in part could be because he is getting rest.  When you march him out to play every game at either catcher or first, this could have bad affect down the road.  We have others that can fill the roll until AK returns. 

[ToddlerHarmon]

Ryan Jeffers at first means more at bats for Vazquez. No thanks

[farmerguychris]

Sure - the more positions they can play the better for us and less often we need to have Gallo at 1st.  Give it a try now when the stakes are high, but not playoff high, to see if he can handle it.

[Einheri]

What's the difference if Jeffers is at first or Vazquez?
Only one of them should be in the starting lineup each game, and probably Jeffers 60% of the time these days to Vazquez's 40%.

Try Julian at 1B instead or Polanco.

[Road trip]

I'm skeptical.  Solano has been more than adequate there defensively, and has hit well enough this year.  He's the right-handed part of the platoon, and arguably should also play more against right handed pitchers as he hits righties as well as lefties.

At the moment I'm more concerned about who backs up/platoons with Taylor in centerfield with Castro on the DL.  While excellent defensively and adequate against lefties (I guess), Taylor is a glaring weak spot against right handed pitchers.

[JD-TWINS]

No - he’s catching & hitting well when playing 50% - 60% of the time. We don’t need him at first with Gallo - Solano - Farmer & apparently Vazquez (who looked sharp at 1B) …….he needs to rest on his off catching days so he’s fresh in 45 days. He can DH a handful of times over last 41 games to get him to the plate a bit more.

We face RH starters 75%+ ………Gallo is there until Kirilloff returns. Solano will be fine once or twice a week.

[jmlease1]

There's functionally no difference between playing Jeffers at 1B and Vazquez playing there, really. It still means you have Vazquez's bat in the lineup, and it still means neither of your catchers is getting a day off.

Luplow is literally only here to make sure one of our lefty OFs doesn't start against a left-handed starter and occasionally pinch-hit. His ABs against RH pitchers should be strictly limited.

If Solano's ankle/knee can handle it, he's the guy we want at 1B with Kirilloff out, unless there's some confidence that Julien can handle it. Throwing Jeffers in there doesn't fix anything.

[chaderic20]

TLDR = "The Twins currently have 4 (maybe 5) players who can play 1B, with their primary 1B due back from the IL soon. And yes, those players are doing well, but if we ignore their good games, then they're doing bad. Therefore we should take our good catcher and move him to first, where he has virtually never played before, and play our bad catcher more often."

[nicksaviking]

Sorry, hard pass on giving Vazquez more at bats.

[mikelink45]

It is time to give Julien the experience - we did it with Arraez.  But don't mess with a catcher who already has enough on his plate. 

 

[Fire Dan Gladden]

Why not?

Put Jeffers at 1B.  Let's gut Buxton off the schneid when he comes back from injury and put him at 3B.  No chance of him running into a wall there.  We all know Wallner has a rifle in the OF.  We are looking for more RP help, let's start pitching him in the 7th inning from now on.  Polanco's knees seem to be holding up.  With Jeffers at 1B, he could probably handle some catching duty...

 

[weitz41]

Just stick with what they got there now. More Jeffers behind the plate. Solano if healthy enough, Vasquez if he isn't and Gallo if one of the play-by-play announcers isn't available...

[HokieRif]

If we're desperate for some added power, and I mean extreme levels of desperate, then it could be used in a pinch.  But the current catcher rotation is fine defensively, and Jeffers needs those off days. 

[Brandon]

no

We have plenty of 1B options.  maybe for a game or 2 he can play 1B.  But we should have plenty of other options.  He can be a DH if we just want to get his bat in the lineup and extra few days.  

[chpettit19]

I'll start by saying I'm not a fan of all the "Jeffers needs every other day off" talk in the comments. He's not even on pace for 100 games played this year. I know catching is a whole lot of work, and I'm not saying he needs to catch 150 games a year, but if he can't play 100 games a year and maintain close to similar production he's not a hugely useful piece. I don't buy this "he needs the rest" talk for a minute. He's played 71 games this year. He has to be able to play well more than that and maintain his performance if we're going to credit him with being a core piece of this team.

As for playing him at first, though, I don't see the point. Catch him more. Putting him at first doesn't solve anything. Just puts Vazquez's bat in the lineup everyday. Solano at 1B everyday is a much better option than putting Jeffers there. Jeffers can DH a bunch if they're going to insist on this every other day catcher thing going forward instead of just giving Jeffers more starts behind the plate.

[Mike Sixel]

3 hours ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

Why is everybody on TD suggesting all the players to 1B?  Jeffers, Julian, Polanco, etc.  None of these guys have played the position in MLB.  We have Solano against LH'ers and Gallo against RH'ers until AK returns.  I hate putting Gallo in there as much as the next guy, but both of these guys at least have played the position competently.  What are we going to hear next, put a pitcher at 1B?

Because Gallo is awful? These guys play first all the time for fun. How much do you really think a good athlete needs to work at 1B to play it fine? You can't be an automatic out, just because you can play first. 

[Fire Dan Gladden]

2 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

I'll start by saying I'm not a fan of all the "Jeffers needs every other day off" talk in the comments. He's not even on pace for 100 games played this year. I know catching is a whole lot of work, and I'm not saying he needs to catch 150 games a year, but if he can't play 100 games a year and maintain close to similar production he's not a hugely useful piece. I don't buy this "he needs the rest" talk for a minute. He's played 71 games this year. He has to be able to play well more than that and maintain his performance if we're going to credit him with being a core piece of this team.

As for playing him at first, though, I don't see the point. Catch him more. Putting him at first doesn't solve anything. Just puts Vazquez's bat in the lineup everyday. Solano at 1B everyday is a much better option than putting Jeffers there. Jeffers can DH a bunch if they're going to insist on this every other day catcher thing going forward instead of just giving Jeffers more starts behind the plate.

Not looking to pick a fight here, but the days of full-time catchers are basically over.  Only 13 catchers caught over 100 games last year in all of baseball.  (Vazquez was one of them, but that hasn't been working out very well so far).  If Jeffers stays healthy, he should finish between 90-100 games caught this year.  Welcome to the new era of starting catchers.

[chpettit19]

43 minutes ago, Fire Dan Gladden said:

Not looking to pick a fight here, but the days of full-time catchers are basically over.  Only 13 catchers caught over 100 games last year in all of baseball.  (Vazquez was one of them, but that hasn't been working out very well so far).  If Jeffers stays healthy, he should finish between 90-100 games caught this year.  Welcome to the new era of starting catchers.

I'd argue having 1 who can do that is all the more valuable then. It's what makes JT Realmuto so valuable. You have a huge advantage if you can plug a 130 OPS+ catcher into your lineup for 130 games a year like Realmuto did last year. Jeffers is at a 137 OPS+ this year, but that advantage is muted if you're only willing to start him 50% of the time. There's so few catchers playing that much because most catchers a the same poor performers at the plate so you may as well limit wear and tear. But if you're actively choosing to only play one who's significantly better than the rest in the league 50% of the time you're choosing to give up an advantage. 

Jeffers has caught 56 games this year. He's not on pace to catch 90-100, he's on pace to play in 90-100. He's on pace to catch 75 games this year. Now the early season playing time made sense after his down year last year. But not shifting the catching share quicker, or giving him 60+% of the games recently, is a missed opportunity in my opinion.

[JD-TWINS]

44 minutes ago, Fire Dan Gladden said:

Not looking to pick a fight here, but the days of full-time catchers are basically over.  Only 13 catchers caught over 100 games last year in all of baseball.  (Vazquez was one of them, but that hasn't been working out very well so far).  If Jeffers stays healthy, he should finish between 90-100 games caught this year.  Welcome to the new era of starting catchers.

Also, if we want to not go from a guy catching 40% of the first 1/3 of the season, to then going 50% of the time, to then 60-70% of the time and changing his stamina to hit well, let’s ease into more time behind the plate. His BAT is why we want him to catch more. Do not want to get diminishing returns at the plate from playing more than he’s used to, too quickly.

Completely agree that if managed correctly, he should be able to catch 110-115 games next year. At least target those numbers from start of the season.

[Fire Dan Gladden]

6 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

I'd argue having 1 who can do that is all the more valuable then. It's what makes JT Realmuto so valuable. You have a huge advantage if you can plug a 130 OPS+ catcher into your lineup for 130 games a year like Realmuto did last year. Jeffers is at a 137 OPS+ this year, but that advantage is muted if you're only willing to start him 50% of the time. There's so few catchers playing that much because most catchers a the same poor performers at the plate so you may as well limit wear and tear. But if you're actively choosing to only play one who's significantly better than the rest in the league 50% of the time you're choosing to give up an advantage. 

Jeffers has caught 56 games this year. He's not on pace to catch 90-100, he's on pace to play in 90-100. He's on pace to catch 75 games this year. Now the early season playing time made sense after his down year last year. But not shifting the catching share quicker, or giving him 60+% of the games recently, is a missed opportunity in my opinion.

BR has Jeffers catching in 62 games this year.  Twins have what 38 games left?  He catches 75% of those, you have 90.

With very few exceptions, catchers are now part-timers.  Health is the number one reason.  Catchers that can hit will DH vs Catching on their "day off".  Blame Buxton for that not happening more often.  Twins fans should be well aware the health risks involved with having a great hitting catcher.

I don't see it as a missed opportunity as much as keeping him healthy.

[chpettit19]

25 minutes ago, Fire Dan Gladden said:

BR has Jeffers catching in 62 games this year.  Twins have what 38 games left?  He catches 75% of those, you have 90.

With very few exceptions, catchers are now part-timers.  Health is the number one reason.  Catchers that can hit will DH vs Catching on their "day off".  Blame Buxton for that not happening more often.  Twins fans should be well aware the health risks involved with having a great hitting catcher.

I don't see it as a missed opportunity as much as keeping him healthy.

Are we really counting pinch hit appearances as him catching a game? Come on. He's caught 56 games. They haven't given him even 60% of the starts behind the plate yet, but they're going to give him 75% the rest of the way? He's not catching 90 games this year.

The catchers hitting like Jeffers are not catching 46% of their team's games (what Jeffers has caught so far this year). That isn't fact. That is trying to explain away what the Twins are doing. The catchers who hit like Jeffers are catching significantly more games than Jeffers is. So don't catch Jeffers more because Mauer got concussions? I mean I'm quite positive I can come up with way more great hitting catchers who didn't get hurt than you can come up with more Mauer examples.

Who cares if he's healthy if he's sitting on the bench? Avoiding an acute injury by not playing somebody is not a good strategy in professional sports.

[chpettit19]

40 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Also, if we want to not go from a guy catching 40% of the first 1/3 of the season, to then going 50% of the time, to then 60-70% of the time and changing his stamina to hit well, let’s ease into more time behind the plate. His BAT is why we want him to catch more. Do not want to get diminishing returns at the plate from playing more than he’s used to, too quickly.

Completely agree that if managed correctly, he should be able to catch 110-115 games next year. At least target those numbers from start of the season.

He's a professional athlete who's been catching his whole life. Come on. His performance isn't going to tank because he goes from catching 3 games a week to 4-5 games a week. That's nonsense. These aren't little kids. He's a 26 year old man who's worked his tail off to be in very good physical shape. He can play 4 days a week without crumbling.

Why do we think he'll catch 110-115 games next year? 

[dxpavelka]

NO

 

[Brandon]

Jeffers isn’t playing more because we signed Velasquez to be the main C.  He is getting paid 10 million to C for us.  Jeffers should get more playing time.  At least in my opinion.  Clearly Jeffers has earned his way to 60% of the C duties and Velazquez needs more time on the bench.  An occasional start at DH or 1B for either in is not a big deal.  Though I hope we don’t play Velazquez too much at 1B or even again…..

[Mike Sixel]

Jeffers should catch 75% of the games......and all of them in the playoffs. He should not be at first.

 

[JD-TWINS]

2 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

He's a professional athlete who's been catching his whole life. Come on. His performance isn't going to tank because he goes from catching 3 games a week to 4-5 games a week. That's nonsense. These aren't little kids. He's a 26 year old man who's worked his tail off to be in very good physical shape. He can play 4 days a week without crumbling.

Why do we think he'll catch 110-115 games next year? 

What do you or I know about the demands of catching in the major leagues? All opinions. 4-5 games per week average is 50% more than what he’s been doing. It’s not all physical - it’s wear & tear of being responsible for every pitch. You don’t think that playing 50% more may affect how he feels, then how he hits? We’re going to win the Division and if we don’t it’s not going to be because Jeffers didn’t start 5 or 6 more games from here to Oct. 1. The most important factor is to have him fresh to catch 3-4 games in a row in October as needed.

Can Jeffers catch 23 or more out of 40 games left - sure. Is the change worth a change in routine - change with his offense? Only reason to catch more is so he hits more & effectively.

Regarding next year, he catches 65% of games (105 total) if he goes into the year with the mindset that he’s the guy that’s got the majority of the job. Nothing like what’s been represented to him nor put into practice for ‘23. In ‘24, Team wouldn’t wait until April 3 to tell him he’s going to catch 2 of every 3 games.

IMO, managing guys heads and keeping their heads clear on their roles ahead of time is as big as the physical rest………should be discussing his bigger role in playoffs in a couple more weeks. In the end a player’s confidence and ability to stay composed is what makes things go.

[USAFChief]

4 hours ago, Fire Dan Gladden said:

With very few exceptions, catchers are now part-timers.  Health is the number one reason. 

14 catchers had 100 or more games last year.

120-ish games at catcher used to be the standard, and there's no reason it couldn't be today. 

 

[dxpavelka]

12 hours ago, Brandon said:

Jeffers isn’t playing more because we signed Velasquez to be the main C.  He is getting paid 10 million to C for us.  Jeffers should get more playing time.  At least in my opinion.  Clearly Jeffers has earned his way to 60% of the C duties and Velazquez needs more time on the bench.  An occasional start at DH or 1B for either in is not a big deal.  Though I hope we don’t play Velazquez too much at 1B or even again…..

Pretty sure Vasquez was signed to split time with Jeffers at C.  Few teams want a C to play more than a hundred games and fewer still have a C who should do so.  Jeffers falls in that category.