Triple J: Three Twins Players Being Overlooked for 2024

[Cody Christie]

Opening Day is later this week, and it’s time to focus on how good the Twins can be in 2024. Here are three players who have flown under the radar this spring and can take another step in the upcoming season.

Image courtesy of Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Players can be overlooked entering any season if they are meeting expectations during spring training. It becomes a more significant issue when players are in the news cycle because that likely means they are injured or underperforming. Minnesota’s Opening Day roster took a hit last week, with multiple players set to open the year on the injured list. Here are three players flying under the radar this spring with a chance to significantly impact the Twins this season. 

Ryan Jeffers, C
In 2023, Jeffers seemed relegated to a backup role after the team signed Christian Vázquez to a lucrative free-agent deal. Jeffers is coming off a breakout season, during which he was among baseball’s best offensive catchers with a 134 OPS+. He improved defensively by working with Twins coaches and increased his pop time from the 44th percentile to 59th. He threw out a career-high 25% of runners, four percent higher than the league average. The Twins used Jeffers more regularly down the stretch, and he started every playoff game. 

Jeffers has a chance to be an All-Star if he can build off his performance from last year and have a solid first half. Baltimore’s Adley Rutschman was the lone AL catcher to compile a higher fWAR and rWAR than Jeffers. “He actually improved his throwing on the defensive side of the ball which is not easy to do,” said Twins manager Rocco Baldelli. “He’s put himself in a spot to be a heck of a Big League catcher for a long time for us and we’re fortunate to have him.”

Griffin Jax, RP
Jax’s overall numbers from last season included some variable performance with some BABIP issues in the season’s first half. He regrouped and performed much better after his early struggles. Last season, Jax's barrel rate allowed was in the 97th percentile (3.3 percent) while ranking above average in hard-hit percentage, average exit velocity, and 56.8 percent groundball rate. With Jhoan Duran sidelined to begin the year, Jax figures to split closer duties with Brock Stewart. 

During spring training, Jax’s slider has been one of the most talked about pitches with Pitching Ninja taking notice on X (formerly known as Twitter). His slider has helped him strike out 12 of the first 25 batters he faced this spring over seven scoreless innings. "You don't really see a whole lot of spin until it gets just about to the plate, then it takes a left turn," catcher Brian O'Keefe told the Star Tribune. "It's one of those sliders that you see and you're like, that's a little different." The Twins need Jax to be dominant to begin the season, especially with Duran on the IL. 

Edouard Julien, 2B
Julien was among a trio of rookies to perform exceptionally well in 2023. However, optimism seems to surround Julien this spring, and his offensive approach is hard for the coaching staff to ignore. His 64 walks last season helped him post a .381 OBP, which ranked second among MLB rookies last season. He’s shown the ability to drive the ball to all fields, and there might be even more room for improvement. 

The Twins drafted Julien in the 18th round from Auburn University. He grew up in Quebec, Canada, a non-traditional baseball area, and spoke little English when he arrived at college. This background might help him to show even more growth as he enters his mid-20s because he didn’t grow up in a baseball hotbed. “His work ethic is second to none,” said infield coach Tony Diaz. “We had to refine his routine and I’m blown away. He has that drive and discipline, and the biggest question is how much better he’s going to get. I can’t put any limits on a player like that. The sky’s the limit. When a player is that driven and wants to be great, I wouldn’t put winning a Gold Glove past him.”

Are these players being overlooked? What are your expectations for this trio? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. 

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[Major League Ready]

All three were great last year.  All three have looked great this spring and Jax has looked dominant.  He looks like he has found another gear.   I don't think they are being overlooked by anyone paying attention.

[stringer bell]

All three look the part of being on the rise. If two of the three are better than they were last year (in a full season), it bodes very well for the 2024 Twins.

[dxpavelka]

If they are being overlooked I'm not sure why.

 

[bean5302]

I don't think any of these guys is being overlooked. 

[IndianaTwin]

It’s definitely a positive omen that when I pulled a random bottle from my collection of vintage pops a few minutes ago, it was a Jic Jac strawberry soda. 

But yeah, not overlooked unless you’re in the national media and are comparing to Correa/Buxton/Lewis. 

[saviking]

I'm more interested in who's being overlooked this year .. Guess we will find out next year 😄

[Rod Carews Birthday]

Nobody is overlooking these players for this year. Two of our best hitters and one of our best bullpen arms (right now, maybe the best until Duran gets back) will definitely be heard from loudly this season.  If Julien and Jeffers can duplicate last year’s numbers over a full season, they are definite all-stars and maybe more.

 

[JD-TWINS]

Agreed with most here - not sure how anyone can overlook these 3? Julien is a very solid piece in the line-up. Jeffers has great upside and is coming off a really good year. Jax has been getting better for 2 full seasons and is a main cog in our Pen!

Today with a runner on 2nd and one out, on a swinging bunt for Baltimore, Jeffers jumped out from behind the plate and easily had the batter at first by 60 feet……..instead, he tried to make the hero play by throwing a guy out moving to 3B……..safe! Now two on and still one out. Guy from 3B scores a couple pitches later on a Sac Fly. ……Can’t just hit - gotta be smart and make the right plays!!! Learning experience I hope.

[mikelink45]

I was really looking for something more inspiring than this. The basic question is are these three being overlooked and judging by all the article the answer is no.  So, who is being overlooked? Everyone with any potential has a TD essay or more, but I will take Castro.  He has so much to contribute.  Then there is Kiriloff who has had so many injuries that most of us no longer look at him as the stud that he was expected to be.

And then to find a third overlook I have to go to the BP.  Is it Jackson?  His ST stats look really good.  So does Okert.  Then there are names like Boyle and I never heard of him. 

[The Mad King]

Overlooked everywhere except by Twins fans

[ashbury]

"Three Twins Players Whose Last Names Start With J, Period"

Much more compelling headline if you ask me.

[Squirrel]

8 hours ago, bean5302 said:

I don't think any of these guys is being overlooked. 

Nope. Gotta write something for the clicks.

[Fezig]

Someone is bound for a sophomore slump. 

Will it be:

Jax, Jeffers, Julien, Lewis, or Wallner? 

The most important to not have a slump - Lewis. The least important - Jax? 

[Riverbrian]

This is an overlook

[dxpavelka]

19 hours ago, IndianaTwin said:

It’s definitely a positive omen that when I pulled a random bottle from my collection of vintage pops a few minutes ago, it was a Jic Jac strawberry soda. 

But yeah, not overlooked unless you’re in the national media and are comparing to Correa/Buxton/Lewis. 

National media overlooking Twins players who are NOT stars?  Preposterous

[stringer bell]

3 hours ago, Fezig said:

Someone is bound for a sophomore slump. 

Will it be:

Jax, Jeffers, Julien, Lewis, or Wallner? 

The most important to not have a slump - Lewis. The least important - Jax? 

Jax and Jeffers had their rookie seasons in 2021, they are hardly "sophomores". Given the injuries to the bullpen, I think Jax may be among the most important players for the Twins, especially in April.

[bean5302]

3 hours ago, Fezig said:

Someone is bound for a sophomore slump. 

Will it be:

Jax, Jeffers, Julien, Lewis, or Wallner? 

The most important to not have a slump - Lewis. The least important - Jax? 

Jax and Jeffers have been on the 26 man for 3 and 4 years, respectively. They're a little outside sophomore slump range haha.

Julien is the most probable candidate for a sophomore slump IMHO. His approach teeters on the razors edge of sustainable.

[Fezig]

1 hour ago, bean5302 said:

Jax and Jeffers have been on the 26 man for 3 and 4 years, respectively. They're a little outside sophomore slump range haha.

Julien is the most probable candidate for a sophomore slump IMHO. His approach teeters on the razors edge of sustainable.

I stand corrected. I didn't think Jeffers was in MLB long enough in 21. Time flies.

 

 

[Shaitan]

I'm not convinced Jax is the real deal. I hope he proves me wrong.