Three Crucial Minnesota Twins Hitters Trending Up Over the Last Two Weeks

[Ted Schwerzler]

The Minnesota Twins continue their pursuit of the Cleveland Guardians atop the American League Central Division, but they will need to continue playing good baseball the rest of the way if they’re going to chase them down. While a handful of players have remained consistent all season, there are a few trending up at the right time.

 

When looking ahead to the Major League All-Star Game in a couple of weeks, players like Carlos Correa, Royce Lewis, Willi Castro, and Ryan Jeffers could all be considered among the Twins' position players. Each of them has been relatively consistent and productive when on the field this season. Even Carlos Santana, who started slowly, could be a worthy All-Star consideration.

Outside of the guys worthy of a nod for the Midsummer Classic, the Twins have seen this trio get things going in a positive direction during recent weeks:

Kyle Farmer
Given enhanced playing time with Edouard Julien being demoted to Triple-A St. Paul, Farmer got a chance to recover from his woeful start to the campaign. He did it, and quickly. It had been a horrible year for the veteran, and his place on the roster has been scrutinized dating back to the offseason, with his $6.5 million price tag.

Tasked with playing second base, specifically against left-handed pitchers, Farmer has played eight games since Julien was sent down. He's batting .320/.414/.400, with a pair of doubles. While it’s an incredibly small sample size, he’s doing exactly what has been asked at a time when Minnesota needs it most.

Although Julien hasn’t looked good at Triple-A, and isn’t threatening for a return soon, Brooks Lee is back in action and has come on strong. If Farmer is to keep the top prospect on the farm for much longer, he’ll need to continue this sort of production.

Manuel Margot
Brought in as a fourth outfielder and replacement for Michael A. Taylor, it would be hard to imagine that Margot’s start with the Twins could have gone worse. He didn’t hit, and the fielding abilities had Willi Castro as a choice in center field over Margot. Still playing primarily on the corners, Margot has begun to turn a corner.

He has been the leadoff guy against lefties, and is batting .298 with an .857 OPS since Jun. 1. Margot has five extra-base hits this month and has pushed his yearly OPS against lefties up to .837. In short, Margot has now become everything they had hoped for when acquiring him from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Matt Wallner was sent out earlier this season, and Trevor Larnach doesn’t represent the same type of player as Margot. Maybe DaShawn Keirsey Jr. can push him for playing time down the stretch, but it will be tough to argue against keeping him on the roster if these types of results continue.

Byron Buxton
Placed on the injured list early in May, Buxton returned halfway through the month. It was tough sledding as he returned to the lineup, but things have taken a better turn during the last few weeks. Buxton’s process has changed substantially over the past few years, and he’s always going to lean into a decent amount of swing and miss while he looks to do damage.

Still, the center fielder is batting .291 with a .328 OBP across his last 14 games. It comes with a less-than-ideal 14/2 K/BB, but he homered against Hogan Harris and ripped a double to push his extra-base hit tally to six in his last 14 games.

Buxton being a lineup fixture, both from a position of health and productivity, is something the Twins will absolutely need down the stretch.

Minnesota has been on something of a rollercoaster this season, but remaining consistent the rest of the way should land them in the postseason.

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Have recent hot streaks changed the way you think about any of these players? What do you expect from them next?

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[RpR]

Could alter the opinions of some but the haters will hate.

I am curios if keirsey Jr. will get a called up if Larnach goes on the Il and  to see how Wallner is doing when the All Star break comes.

As we play the Phillies after the break, the Twins had better be hitting on all cylinders.

[Craig Arko]

In the end, Buxton is the key here. If he rediscovers himself this can be a formidable lineup.

[bean5302]

Margot and Farmer are completely disposable. It's valuable only in the way that it allows the Twins to potentially move their contracts or trade other assets. Neither player is important to the team's success. For that matter, Carlos Santana is in the same boat, except he's provided legitimate value at this point.

[Parfigliano]

39 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

Margot and Farmer are completely disposable. It's valuable only in the way that it allows the Twins to potentially move their contracts or trade other assets. Neither player is important to the team's success. For that matter, Carlos Santana is in the same boat, except he's provided legitimate value at this point.

Keeping one year vets over young players getting playing time.  Its the Twins way.

[Brandon]

Good article Ted

[Ted Schwerzler]

4 hours ago, RpR said:

Could alter the opinions of some but the haters will hate.

I am curios if keirsey Jr. will get a called up if Larnach goes on the Il and  to see how Wallner is doing when the All Star break comes.

As we play the Phillies after the break, the Twins had better be hitting on all cylinders.

Felt like Keirsey Jr. was closer prior to his IL stint and Margot's consistency.

[Ted Schwerzler]

3 hours ago, Craig Arko said:

In the end, Buxton is the key here. If he rediscovers himself this can be a formidable lineup.

Amen!

[Ted Schwerzler]

3 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Margot and Farmer are completely disposable. It's valuable only in the way that it allows the Twins to potentially move their contracts or trade other assets. Neither player is important to the team's success. For that matter, Carlos Santana is in the same boat, except he's provided legitimate value at this point.

Curious how you view this, maybe excluding Farmer given the small sample size. The Twins are getting nothing back for Margot, and while I'd like to see Keirsey or Wallner, neither are a given. Farmer's salary is a sunk cost, so they could definitely go to Lee (and I suspect they will before Julien).

[Ted Schwerzler]

1 hour ago, Brandon said:

Good article Ted

A blind squirrel finds a nut they say...

[bean5302]

7 minutes ago, Ted Schwerzler said:

Curious how you view this, maybe excluding Farmer given the small sample size. The Twins are getting nothing back for Margot, and while I'd like to see Keirsey or Wallner, neither are a given. Farmer's salary is a sunk cost, so they could definitely go to Lee (and I suspect they will before Julien).

Even at their peak value, we I expect we probably have better options logjammed behind them. I don't see the Twins cutting bait on them while they're performing well (and they have been hitting well the past few weeks). I think Falvey will probably hang on to Farmer and Margot until the All Star Break and determine what to do at that point. It's only 3 weeks away.

Farmer earns another 40 plate appearances, continues to hit at wRC+ 130 and his overall line climbs to wRC+ 85
Margot earns another 60 plate appearances, continues to hit at wRC+ 130 and his overal line climbs to wRC+ 96

Both Farmer and Margot can likely be moved at that point.

[Alex Wilde]

12 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

Even at their peak value, we I expect we probably have better options logjammed behind them. I don't see the Twins cutting bait on them while they're performing well (and they have been hitting well the past few weeks). I think Falvey will probably hang on to Farmer and Margot until the All Star Break and determine what to do at that point. It's only 3 weeks away.

Farmer earns another 40 plate appearances, continues to hit at wRC+ 130 and his overall line climbs to wRC+ 85
Margot earns another 60 plate appearances, continues to hit at wRC+ 130 and his overal line climbs to wRC+ 96

Both Farmer and Margot can likely be moved at that point.

I don’t think you’re getting rid of either of them without retaining salary.

[Ted Schwerzler]

1 hour ago, Alex Wilde said:

I don’t think you’re getting rid of either of them without retaining salary.

This is probably it.

Best case scenario was for them to be bad and eat it.

Worst case is they hang around and grab more at bats.

If they continue to produce, it works.

[SwainZag]

5 hours ago, Parfigliano said:

Keeping one year vets over young players getting playing time.  Its the Twins way.

On the contrary the young players were given ample time and AB's to stick around.  If Wallner and Julien hit at the major league level they wouldn't be in AAA.  Veterans get the advantage of past performance and contract, while young players need to show their worth to stay on the big league team.....especially with a team in contention.  

I'll add Carlos Santana to OP's post as well.   Since May 28th:

89 PA, 78 AB, .346/.427/.615.  6 2B, 5 HR, 16 RBI.

I understand that the young players are sexier, have higher potentials, but veterans are helpful, weather we want to accept that or not.  

 

[h2oface]

8 hours ago, Ted Schwerzler said:

Curious how you view this, maybe excluding Farmer given the small sample size. The Twins are getting nothing back for Margot, and while I'd like to see Keirsey or Wallner, neither are a given. Farmer's salary is a sunk cost, so they could definitely go to Lee (and I suspect they will before Julien).

Well, that says a lot right there about his value, doesn't it?

[Riverbrian]

5 hours ago, SwainZag said:

On the contrary the young players were given ample time and AB's to stick around.  If Wallner and Julien hit at the major league level they wouldn't be in AAA.  Veterans get the advantage of past performance and contract, while young players need to show their worth to stay on the big league team.....especially with a team in contention.  

I'll add Carlos Santana to OP's post as well.   Since May 28th:

89 PA, 78 AB, .346/.427/.615.  6 2B, 5 HR, 16 RBI.

I understand that the young players are sexier, have higher potentials, but veterans are helpful, weather we want to accept that or not.  

 

Ample time? Not with options hanging around.

Wallner was given 25 AB's (33 PA's)to start the season. Granted those 33 PA's were brutal but 25 AB's is not ample time. 

I want to be clear that I have no issue with Wallner being sent down.

I'm just pointing out that Kyle Farmer reached 25 AB's on April 14. The Farmer slash was .080/.281/.120

Every day Willi Castro reached 25 AB's on April 9. and was a little slow out of the box - .111/.250/.111

Farmer is still here and apparently trending up as he waits for a left hander to keep that trend skyward. 

[JD-TWINS]

8 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Even at their peak value, we I expect we probably have better options logjammed behind them. I don't see the Twins cutting bait on them while they're performing well (and they have been hitting well the past few weeks). I think Falvey will probably hang on to Farmer and Margot until the All Star Break and determine what to do at that point. It's only 3 weeks away.

Farmer earns another 40 plate appearances, continues to hit at wRC+ 130 and his overall line climbs to wRC+ 85
Margot earns another 60 plate appearances, continues to hit at wRC+ 130 and his overal line climbs to wRC+ 96

Both Farmer and Margot can likely be moved at that point.

Why would a team move pieces that are performing at or above the level of expectation?……..only to bring up players you also “hope” to be able to do the job. They signed these guys to hit LH pitching and to bring a veteran presence……speaking of Farmer-Margot-Santana.

I do not get the, let’s hope they keep hitting and elevate their stats so they can be traded for scraps, thinking??

Wallner - Kiersey - Kirilloff - Julien do zero for the team v. LH pitching if they are released from their log jam. They need to hit RH pitching before they go anywhere further from St Paul.

Lee at 2B at some point makes sense to me with Castro strengthening LF……I get that……it seems to me he takes Martin’s spot in the short-term and maybe a veteran’s if they fail by late July?

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

If Farmer and Margot are 'crucial', then the Twins are in some serious trouble.

[JD-TWINS]

Buxton - not very flashy so far this year, a nice game or two here or there. Hitting at League Average OPS to date (a low # in ‘24) and with around 40plus XBH pace, along with his defense he can be a 3plus WAR guy. Getting that done while hitting in the #7 hole the majority of the time is very nice value & lengthens the line-up. 

He’s on pace for 120 games which would be a nice total after years of very limited availability.

Let’s hope he gets HOT 2-3 times and brings above average value in the 2nd half!

[JD-TWINS]

59 minutes ago, h2oface said:

Well, that says a lot right there about his value, doesn't it?

In fairness, if Wallner were 29 he might have been released due to little value in the market. Seasons are long and things change - often. Whether a guy is an experienced playoff veteran or is in his 2nd year matters to people managing organizations.

Wallner is still striking out at an alarming level, granted, while hitting HR’s. Margot - Farmer - Castro - Santana……all have been very productive over the last 30 plus games.

Trading a vet at the deadline has to fill a real need for a team to bring value - it’s still a rental for two months. It’s a fringe player being acquired so, no, there isn’t a great value in trading one of these pieces. It doesn’t mean the player shouldn’t be kept to thrive as the role player he was signed to be.

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

Buck's always been feast or famine at the plate. When he's got it going, he can carry the team for games at a time. But when he's struggling, he's an automatic out. Maybe Sunday's game is a sign of things to come. Would be a welcomed development for the remainder of the West Coast trip.

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

I'd also add that Buxton, maybe even more than Lewis, is such a jolt of energy for the team. The 'Buck Truck' thing might be a little bit cheesy, but you watch the dugout after a big hit, and they're all doing it. Team feeds off him.

[Road trip]

23 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

In fairness, if Wallner were 29 he might have been released due to little value in the market. Seasons are long and things change - often. Whether a guy is an experienced playoff veteran or is in his 2nd year matters to people managing organizations.

 

So if Wallner was 29, with a career MLB OPS+ of 126 he might be released?

Yet Margot, who is 29, with a career MLB OPS+ of 91 (and only 81 this year) is somehow "crucial".

Tom Kelly, who knew a little baseball, said you had to give a player 1000 at bats to know what you had.  Margot has 2700.  He won't ever hit enough for a corner outfielder.  Ever.  

[JD-TWINS]

1 minute ago, Road trip said:

So if Wallner was 29, with a career MLB OPS+ of 126 he might be released?

Yet Margot, who is 29, with a career MLB OPS+ of 91 (and only 81 this year) is somehow "crucial".

Tom Kelly, who knew a little baseball, said you had to give a player 1000 at bats to know what you had.  Margot has 2700.  He won't ever hit enough for a corner outfielder.  Ever.  

There’s nobody (me) saying Manny Margot is “crucial”!

Wallner, if he were regarded as a 126 OPS+ guy, would be on the club last week - next week.

It comes down to probabilities and history. Wallner’s is volatile. Margot has hit .254 - .274 - .264 the past 3 MLB seasons and he’s trending back to those numbers over the last 30 plus games….81 OPS+ was 40…….830 OPS over last 30 games. That’s what he was signed for and it’s happening. ……He’s not Teoscar Hernandez and that’s why he makes 25% as much money.

If Wallner gets his K% to 30% or a bit below …..should be doable and is more than a reasonable goal…..he should get a shot…….until then, I think the organization is going to press him for better results.

My preseason hope/expectation for Wallner was .235 BA with a .335 OBP and near 30 HR playing 75% of the time……I could care less about Margot’s career but Team has to win games - not “develop” guys for future seasons while in a playoff race.

I hope Wallner is the starting LF in the playoffs but he needs to prove he deserves it over a stretch of time…….2022 & 2023 were great but he was young and not facing guys in the Show until last 2-3 months.

[Riverbrian]

19 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

In fairness, if Wallner were 29 he might have been released due to little value in the market. Seasons are long and things change - often. Whether a guy is an experienced playoff veteran or is in his 2nd year matters to people managing organizations.

Wallner is still striking out at an alarming level, granted, while hitting HR’s. Margot - Farmer - Castro - Santana……all have been very productive over the last 30 plus games.

Trading a vet at the deadline has to fill a real need for a team to bring value - it’s still a rental for two months. It’s a fringe player being acquired so, no, there isn’t a great value in trading one of these pieces. It doesn’t mean the player shouldn’t be kept to thrive as the role player he was signed to be.

I agree with you when you say "Weather a guy is an experienced playoff vet or in his 2nd year matters to people managing organizations".

It sure seems to be the case. 

However... in my opinion...  An experienced playoff vet should only matter if he is performing like a experienced vet should.  

Kyle Farmer has produced an .804 OPS in June over 31 plate appearances. He's been productive of late. At least in 14 plate appearances in the role he is supposed to play. 

Since June:

31 PA's - .308/.419/,385   

Vs RH - 17 Plate Appearances -  .200/.294/.333

VS LH - 14 Plate Appearances - .455/.571/.455 

That's the role he is supposed to play. He's supposed to hit left handers. Yet he is still facing more right handers. 

Prior to that From Game 1 of the season to May 31. 

vs LH - 49 Plate Appearances - .163/.265/.233

We endured two months of that to get these 14 AB's.

Wallner is sent down over 33 Plate Appearances and Farmer is "Very Productive" over his last 31 Plate Appearances are unfair perceptions of both.   

I'm not arguing that Wallner shouldn't have been sent down and I'm not arguing that Farmer should be cut today.

I am saying that options can eat the young and I have seen more than my fair share of vets propped up by experience. 

 

 

[Road trip]

13 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

There’s nobody (me) saying Manny Margot is “crucial”!

 

Well, no, you did not say that... sorry to imply that.  However Ted said exactly that in the article title.  "Three Crucial Minnesota Twins Hitters Trending Up Over the Last Two Weeks"

[JD-TWINS]

1 minute ago, Riverbrian said:

I agree with you when you say "Weather a guy is an experienced playoff vet or in his 2nd year matters to people managing organizations".

It sure seems to be the case. 

However... in my opinion...  An experienced playoff vet should only matter if he is performing like a experienced vet should.  

Kyle Farmer has produced an .804 OPS in June over 31 plate appearances. He's been productive of late. At least in 14 plate appearances in the role he is supposed to play. 

Since June:

31 PA's - .308/.419/,385   

Vs RH - 17 Plate Appearances -  .200/.294/.333

VS LH - 14 Plate Appearances - .455/.571/.455 

That's the role he is supposed to play. He's supposed to hit left handers. Yet he is still facing more right handers. 

Prior to that From Game 1 of the season to May 31. 

vs LH - 49 Plate Appearances - .163/.265/.233

We endured two months of that to get these 14 AB's.

Wallner is sent down over 33 Plate Appearances and Farmer is "Very Productive" over his last 31 Plate Appearances are unfair perceptions of both.   

I'm not arguing that Wallner shouldn't have been sent down and I'm not arguing that Farmer should be cut today.

I am saying that options can eat the young and I have seen more than my fair share of vets propped up by experience. 

 

 

I get your point, however, Julien sucked from April 28 on and he got another 6-7 weeks & rightfully so.

Kirilloff sucked from April 24 (making up a date) on and he got 8 weeks & rightfully so.

Wallner, IMO, wasn’t sent down to not come back by Mid-May, he was poor in St Paul (still K’s at too high a rate) and had a terrible Spring. I thought he may go down for 3-4 weeks to be able to get it together - am assuming that was the hope of the FO as well. HE needs to get better!!!! HE does.

[Riverbrian]

29 minutes ago, Road trip said:

So if Wallner was 29, with a career MLB OPS+ of 126 he might be released?

Yet Margot, who is 29, with a career MLB OPS+ of 91 (and only 81 this year) is somehow "crucial".

Tom Kelly, who knew a little baseball, said you had to give a player 1000 at bats to know what you had.  Margot has 2700.  He won't ever hit enough for a corner outfielder.  Ever.  

The (cash strapped) Rays paid the (more money than they know what to do with) Dodgers 2 Million in the Glasnow/Margot deal. They also committed to paying the 2 million Margot opt out if the Dodgers declined his option next season. 

The Dodgers paid the Twins 6 million to take Margot plus the 2 million dollar opt out. 

That's essentially two clubs willing to pay other teams to take him. 

Value... He has none. He will be bought out at the end of the season.

His only value is if he can win some games for us this year. Here's to hoping that he provides some value in that department but with 57 AB's in the month of June. The value provided won't add up too much.  

[Jeff K]

I am glad that Farmer and Margot have improved enough to possibly be part of a package deal at the trade deadline.  Obviously a decent starter would be nice to acquire, but the Twins could also use more depth in their solid bullpen.  Lee is seemingly ready which ought to doom Farmer's tenure on the Twins beyond the trade deadline.  As was pointed out, at his best, Margot is not a worthy corner outfielder from a hitting perspective.  I would prefer to roll the dice on Wallner and possibly Kirilloff.

[LambchoP]

As far as the outfield goes, I don't get why Martin is not getting solid playing time. He's been hitting great since he was called back up. Especially with Kepler being hurt I'd rather see Martin out in right than Margot. An outfield of Castro Buxton and Martin looks pretty solid to me... Then you can continue to DH Larnach/Wallner.