Make It Official! Twins 5, Mariners 3: Larnach Saves the Day As Twins Overcome Misplays

[Hans Birkeland]

The Twins have been winning their rubber matches lately, but they certainly made it difficult today. Depending on your point of view, five to seven Mariners hitters reached due to Twins misplays, but Trevor Larnach crushed the go-ahead home run in the eighth inning and the bullpen held on for the hard-fought win.

Image courtesy of © John Froschauer-USA TODAY Sports

Box Score:
Starting Pitcher: Joe Ryan: 5 2/3 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB 10 K (99 Pitches, 73 Strikes, 73.7%)
Home Runs: Trevor Larnach (8)
Top 3 WPA: Larnach (.400), Ryan (.135), Austin Martin (.102)
Win Probability Chart (Via Fangraphs):

With an offense that has been clicking in June, and some improvement on the pitching side lately, the Twins looked to triple-up on their road series winning formula of lose-win-win against Luis Castillo and the Mariners.

Joe Ryan has been the Twins' most reliable starter in 2024, but he took the ball coming off of a rocky outing against the Diamondbacks. In that appearance, Ryan gave up four runs in the first two innings, then looked dominant over the last four, at one point retiring 13 batters in a row. He also antagonized Joc Pederson by giving him the crane pose after striking him out, for no apparent reason (perhaps they are the same fantasy football league?).

Today started quite a bit better, despite a misplay by second baseman Austin Martin in the first putting runners on the corners with one out in the first. Ryan pitched around that trouble by striking out Cal Raleigh and Luke Raley, featuring some dotted fastballs.

Following a leadoff single from star leadoff hitter Willi Castro and subsequent stolen base, the snakebit Trevor Larnach finally found some good fortune and blooped a single to center to score the game´s first run. Castillo tends to struggle in the first inning, and Larnach has had some success against him, with a big triple last summer.

In the second, Ryan, who entered todayś game with one hit batter all year, hit both Mitch Garver (who had to exit the game, forfeiting Seattle's DH) and Ty France, but he struck out Dylan Moore on a splitter and then got J.P. Crawford to fly out lazily to end the threat.

The fourth started with a Raley ringing double, but Ryan recovered again by striking out the pitcher Castillo (who wasn't swinging), Jorge Polanco and Ty France.

This all proved pretty important because Castillo was pitching well after generally struggling in June to this point. His fastball was hitting 97, and the Twins were not putting good swings on his slider. That is, until the fifth, when following a Max Kepler scratch single, Martin jumped on a hanger and nearly hit it out to left-center field, instead settling for an RBI double to double the score.

After a Christian Vazquez sacrifice bunt, Castro struck out, which brought up the blistering-hot Jose Miranda, who worked the count full before delivering a flare single to left for the game's third run.

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The bottom of the fifth was one of the weirdest half innings I have ever seen. It began with a sharp triple off the bat of Moore, just out of the reach of Buxton's outstretched glove (who smartly did not dive). Crawford then lined a ball to Kepler in right field, which fooled Moore into coming off the base, and he was unable to tag up and score. Rojas then grounded back to Ryan, who tried a play I have not seen since I once executed it as a poor fielding little league pitcher- throwing home on a comebacker with the runner not breaking home, and Vazquez was unable to retire the batter at first on the relay.

The fun didn't stop there. Rodriguez hit a ball back to Ryan again, who bobbled the ball and was unable to retire Moore at home (after review- it was initially called an out). 

Raleigh then lifted a fly ball to Buxton, who lost the ball in the sun and allowed the Seattle catcher to reach, but without a run scoring. Raley then grounded to Martin at second, but Carlos Santana dove for it, and Ryan didn't cover first, allowing the second run to score.

To Ryan's credit, he bounced back to strike out pinch-hitter Ryan Bliss, and then got Polanco to pop out. Somehow, the Twins still had the lead after Ryan, if you really think about it, got seven outs in the inning.

After the Twins went quietly in the top of the sixth, Ryan got the first two batters and was then lifted for the struggling Caleb Thielbar. Thielbar was squeezed on a couple of pitches but ultimately walked the first two batters, Crawford and Rojas, that he faced. Mercifully, Rodriguez's line drive found Santana's glove for the final out.

They wouldn't be so fortunate in the seventh. After Raley singled following a ten pitch at-bat with Steven Okert, he avoided a double play by running on a ground ball off the bat of Victor Robles. Polanco then launched a 3-0 fastball from Cole Sands over Kepler's head in right for a long single, bringing in the tying run.

The game wouldn't be tied for long. After a Miranda one out single, Larnach demolished a Ryne Stanek change-up 406 feet to make the score 5-3.

Clinging to that two run lead, the Twins chose to go to Kody Funderburk in the eighth over Josh Staumont. With Crawford and Rojas the first two batters up, the choice was defensible. It looked even better once he retired them and Rodriguez easily on weak ground balls.

Jhoan Duran pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for the save.

 

The Good:
-Ryan had great stuff despite his and his teammates fielding deficiencies. Seattle's lineup isn't that formidable with Rodriguez slumping, but it was still encouraging.
-Miranda is stinging the ball all over the place. The leap we were hoping for last year has certainly arrived.
-It's really nice to see Charlie Brown Larnach get rewarded for his good contact.

The Bad:
-Despite his protest, Lewis is not dictating his at-bats and is in a 1-23 slide. He may need to be reminded that even the greats have slumps. Yes, even Derek Jeter. He did make two excellent fielding plays.
-The rest of the team's fielding was atrocious. Ryan made three mistakes in the fifth inning alone, Martin booted a grounder, Buxton lost a ball, and Vazquez went 0-3 cutting down stolen base attempts.

What’s Next: The Twins have an off day Monday, then return home to face Cy Young front-runner Tarik Skubal (9-3, 2.32 ERA) on Tuesday. Simeon Woods Richardson (3-1, 3.41 ERA) goes for the Twins as they face the Tigers for the first time since they were on death's door in April (a loss to Detroit made them 7-13 on April 21st).

Postgame Interviews:

 

Bullpen Usage Chart:

	WED	THU	FRI	SAT	SUN	TOT
Alcalá	0	0	10	21	0	31
Jax	0	0	25	13	0	38
Okert	19	0	0	17	16	52
Funderburk	0	34	0	0	10	44
Sands	0	9	5	0	15	29
Thielbar	0	19	0	0	16	35
Durán	3	0	15	0	19	37
Staumont	5	0	0	0	0	5

 

 

 

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[BH67]

Larnach had today’s big hit. Duran won a 10-pitch battle with Raleigh. Ryan looked strong except for the 5th, and he got out of that jam without catastrophe. New day, new heroes.

The Twins demonstrated resilience after Friday’s loss and won the series against a strong pitching team with a great home record. Only 6 games behind Cleveland. They increasingly resemble last September.

[Peter]

Nerve wracking win as well nerve wracking road trip but twins take series against A’s Arizona and Seattle after dropping 1st game in each!!! Huge series wins!!! +10 over 500!!! My nerves are fried!!! Now I can enjoy tonight and all day tomorrow!!! Well done twins well done!!!!

[D.C Twins]

Castro has been a revelation for us.

What his is contract situation again?  Arbitration years left?  

Given his hitting, versatility and clubhouse presence... I'm starting to think that we need to prioritize him a bit more for future plans. 

[USAFChief]

Just your regular reminder: there are no "low leverage relievers."

[Parfigliano]

Maybe schedule pitcher fielding practice for tomorrow's off day

[Linus]

Didn’t see the game but that one inning sounds like a doozy. Happy for Larnach. He’s been hitting in a little bad luck lately. 

[Doctor Gast]

Ryan pitched great, Castro stole 2 bases, Larnach was the hero, Martin hit a 2 bagger driving in 1 run & scoring another 1. Martin showed a lot of range as a 2Bman, he fielded a GB that Santana couldn't come up with & he didn't boot the ball, he back-handed a difficult ball (that even the best sometime misses) & didn't come up with it. It was not charged as an error, So why do you want to say it was booted? In Vazquez's defense he was 0 for 3 in CS, against speedy SEA players & the pitches were low & outside, I think at least one was in the dirt.

[Doctor Gast]

That crazy Garver HBP by Ryan that created a hole in the DH spot & helped the Twins but IMO it's unfair & should be changed. SEA's uniforms are really ugly, that plain, cream color w/o names on the back, it was hard to look at. When players dirtied their uniforms it actually looked like they dirtied their uniforms, if you know what I mean.

[PDX Twin]

Far cry from Kelly's or Gardy's Twins. Bonehead fielding plays: Stupid players or just not enough training?

[thelanges5]

No Staumont today? He was rested. 

[Shaitan]

LEWIS HAS TO GO!!!

 

/s

[Shaitan]

12 minutes ago, PDX Twin said:

Far cry from Kelly's or Gardy's Twins. Bonehead fielding plays: Stupid players or just not enough training?

That's funny. Because when Garver and the DH were removed, I immediately thought of Gardy for other reasons...

[Doctor Gast]

SEA & MN hitters were SO leaders in '23, MN broke the record, SEA leads in SOs this year (877), 30th in BA & 12th in HRs. MN have changed, they are now 20th in SOs (672) & 5th in HRs. So you see SOs aren't required to hit HRs.

[DocBauer]

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to watch the game at all due to work today. (Usually get to see at least part of the games). We had a great road trip, won all 3 series, and gained ground on Cleveland. So I DON'T want to sound like I'm being a downer, and you simply can't and won't win every game...but...it does appear we just gave away a couple games on the road trip and that just shouldn't happen as much as it seemed to this trip.

Ryan is a hell of a pitcher, smart, and a good athlete. So in the world did he make so many fielding mistakes not in the game, but in ONE INNING? I'm sure it was just a blip, but I agree some general fielding practice for reminder sake might be in order.

Sands certainly didn't lose the game for us, and he's been pretty solid most of the year, but I am confused that he was in the game instead of Staumont in the 7th. Staumont didn't pitch Saturday, Monday is an off day, and he's been largely very good. So why Sands? 

Can we finally just accept that Larnach has "figured it out" after some injuries and adjustments. He's having a very solid season. But he might also be the unluckiest Twins hitter. Even when he's "slumped" he's been hitting the ball very hard. A couple days ago...Arizona maybe?...he went hitless and every batted ball was over 100mph. He's got a .268 BABIP on the season which is CRAZY for how hard he hits the ball. Any sort of progression to the norm and he's poised for a big second half!

I've said before and will say again, if 1 of Larnach, Kirilloff, and Wallner "gets it figured out" it's a win. Wallner is always going to K around 30%, but with decent BB numbers and tremendous power. We can nit pick some of his numbers at AAA right now, but he's basically been destroying AAA right now. If we get 2 of those LH OF "figuring it out" we are SET with dangerous production and depth. Now that Kirilloff's wrist is no longer an issue, IF he can get past his sore back and FINALLY avoid injuries and follow the Larnach path of "figuring it out" the Twins will actually have a WEALTH of quality/dangerous LF OF/1B bats that I dare to dream of. And that's not even including the eventual debut of Rodriguez and the possibly undervalued Keirsey looking for a shot.

I digress and apologize. But if even ONE of Wallner and AK can establish themselves along with Larnach's development....WOW! All three might be a dream, but it's a dream I'd like to see happen.

Lastly, I do think the DH rule has to be re-examined in today's game. Especially now that is ML wide. I'm OK with losing the DH if you PH...though that also should be looked at...but if an injury happens to a DH, I don't believe the team should lose the DH for the game. It just feels unfair and not right in today's game.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Seattle is a clown show. Never in doubt! Seattle is terrible; lucky they play in a division with Oakland and LA. Two out of three makes sense. The Twins will steamroll them if they meet in the postseason. 

Although the Twins were a little lucky Polanco’s swing on 3-0 was not a go ahead home run. But it felt like someone would come up late either way and Larnach did that. 

Duran for the save. Did not throw hardly any four seams again, but hopefully just saving his arm. 

[Jocko87]

1 hour ago, USAFChief said:

Just your regular reminder: there are no "low leverage relievers."

I guess that makes Staumont a no leverage reliever?

5 pitches in the last week? Must be something up.

[2wins87]

The whole series was really full of dinks, dunks, and dumb luck going Seattle's way. Certainly some miscues and mental mistakes on the Twins side too. Yesterday's game was well played and the Twins still had to overcome a very unfair zone (over +1 runs in Seattle's favor according to ump scorecards). I think the scorecard for today's game might end up almost as bad.

They must be feeling good to be getting out of Seattle, and with a series win too! The offense was pretty solid against a very good pitching staff. The Twins definitely looked the better team, as long as they can keep the mistakes to a more normal level.

 

[stringer bell]

9 minutes ago, DocBauer said:

Lastly, I do think the DH rule has to be re-examined in today's game. Especially now that is ML wide. I'm OK with losing the DH if you PH...though that also should be looked at...but if an injury happens to a DH, I don't believe the team should lose the DH for the game. It just feels unfair and not right in today's game.

I disagree. Seattle didn't have to put their DH in play, but chose to because....catchers. Seattle had been carrying two catchers plus Garver, but decided they should go with two catchers and risk what happened today. 

[JD-TWINS]

1 hour ago, Linus said:

Didn’t see the game but that one inning sounds like a doozy. Happy for Larnach. He’s been hitting in a little bad luck lately. 

It was like watching a poorly coached 5th grade little league team……truly bizarre, hitter after hitter….could have gotten out of it with no runs with a couple basic plays ALSO could have given up 5 runs with the repeated chances given to Seattle. Literally, could have had 7 outs in the inning.

I said out loud to myself that I’d never seen anything like this in 55 years of watching baseball……..10 seconds later Perkins said essentially the same thing on the broadcast.

[SwainZag]

16 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

I disagree. Seattle didn't have to put their DH in play, but chose to because....catchers. Seattle had been carrying two catchers plus Garver, but decided they should go with two catchers and risk what happened today. 

I agree.  That's the risk you take when you DH one catcher and start the other.  

[DocBauer]

4 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

I disagree. Seattle didn't have to put their DH in play, but chose to because....catchers. Seattle had been carrying two catchers plus Garver, but decided they should go with two catchers and risk what happened today. 

Sorry my friend, we hardly ever disagree on things, but I'm going to have to argue with you on this one point.

I'm a little out of my element here, but I believe college has had the DH in affect for some time now. And I honestly can't recall about MILB, but I believe the DH has been in affect for some time as well, even for NL clubs. And now, the DH is in full affect for all ML teams. It's been established as a lineup position. I can appreciate an "old school" idea that the DH is a "substitute" for the pitcher having to bat. And while I have questions going forward in MLB as to whether or not the DH should be considered a POSITION where you can substitute or not...different arguement for a different day...I do believe if a DH is removed due to injury, said team should be allowed to substitute. I mean, considering roster constraints, we're probably talking the last man on the bench kind of substitution, but we're still talking about an injury sub. 

POTENTIALLY, that might even weaken a team all the more from a bench move later in the game! But IMO, you should be able to replace an injured player at any point.

[Doctor Gast]

44 minutes ago, DocBauer said:

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to watch the game at all due to work today. (Usually get to see at least part of the games). We had a great road trip, won all 3 series, and gained ground on Cleveland. So I DON'T want to sound like I'm being a downer, and you simply can't and won't win every game...but...it does appear we just gave away a couple games on the road trip and that just shouldn't happen as much as it seemed to this trip.

Ryan is a hell of a pitcher, smart, and a good athlete. So in the world did he make so many fielding mistakes not in the game, but in ONE INNING? I'm sure it was just a blip, but I agree some general fielding practice for reminder sake might be in order.

Sands certainly didn't lose the game for us, and he's been pretty solid most of the year, but I am confused that he was in the game instead of Staumont in the 7th. Staumont didn't pitch Saturday, Monday is an off day, and he's been largely very good. So why Sands? 

Can we finally just accept that Larnach has "figured it out" after some injuries and adjustments. He's having a very solid season. But he might also be the unluckiest Twins hitter. Even when he's "slumped" he's been hitting the ball very hard. A couple days ago...Arizona maybe?...he went hitless and every batted ball was over 100mph. He's got a .268 BABIP on the season which is CRAZY for how hard he hits the ball. Any sort of progression to the norm and he's poised for a big second half!

I've said before and will say again, if 1 of Larnach, Kirilloff, and Wallner "gets it figured out" it's a win. Wallner is always going to K around 30%, but with decent BB numbers and tremendous power. We can nit pick some of his numbers at AAA right now, but he's basically been destroying AAA right now. If we get 2 of those LH OF "figuring it out" we are SET with dangerous production and depth. Now that Kirilloff's wrist is no longer an issue, IF he can get past his sore back and FINALLY avoid injuries and follow the Larnach path of "figuring it out" the Twins will actually have a WEALTH of quality/dangerous LF OF/1B bats that I dare to dream of. And that's not even including the eventual debut of Rodriguez and the possibly undervalued Keirsey looking for a shot.

I digress and apologize. But if even ONE of Wallner and AK can establish themselves along with Larnach's development....WOW! All three might be a dream, but it's a dream I'd like to see happen.

Lastly, I do think the DH rule has to be re-examined in today's game. Especially now that is ML wide. I'm OK with losing the DH if you PH...though that also should be looked at...but if an injury happens to a DH, I don't believe the team should lose the DH for the game. It just feels unfair and not right in today's game.

I'd like you to know Doc that I think highly of you. You like to write all-inclusive statements & I whole heartly agree with at least 90% of what you write but sometimes you throw something at the end that I strongly disagree with & I find it hard to give you a thumbs up. I'd like to give you many more thumbs up than I do to let you know that I respect everything that you say. Even though we don't agree 100%

[ashbury]

I've been critical of this off-again on-again offense, but today I have no complaint.  They went up against a very good pitcher (maybe not as elite as past seasons) who clearly was not having a bad day, and they still managed to put up 3 runs during his stint.  And it felt to me like their approach was "find a way", with the stolen base factoring heavily into the always-important first inning run, instead of "wait for a bloop and a blast."  And then against a reliever who had been on a good roll, they got that late and clutch two-run blast anyway.  5 runs is a great outcome in support of one of their rotation mainstays in Joe Ryan.

And our bullpen somehow managed to make it stand up.  I'm going to stay positive and constructive, and not mention that any further.

[stringer bell]

16 minutes ago, DocBauer said:

I've said before and will say again, if 1 of Larnach, Kirilloff, and Wallner "gets it figured out" it's a win. 

I digress and apologize. But if even ONE of Wallner and AK can establish themselves along with Larnach's development....WOW! All three might be a dream, but it's a dream I'd like to see happen.

I have been thinking about this for a couple weeks. Wallner and Kirilloff disappointed for the Twins this year and Larnach has stepped up. I'm not willing to say he's "figured it out", but he has sustained decent performance for 40% of a season, but then again Wallner did that too. In shorter stretches Kirilloff has also looked like an accomplished major league hitter.

The Twins absolutely need decent production from one of the three players this year and might need two guys to establish themselves in 2025 with the probable exit of Max Kepler. The three guys are an interesting compare and contrast. Wallner has big power and the best speed along with an elite throwing arm, but he seems to have the most problems making contact consistently. Kirilloff was the highest draft choice and seemed to possess the best bat-to-ball skill. He's left handed and has been regarded as a potential first baseman since he was drafted. Larnach doesn't have the arm, power or speed that Wallner has, but he's a capable outfielder who excelled in college and presents as a decent power hitter.

Larnach is getting big league time and hasn't squandered it. He's reduced his chase rate and his strikeouts and has hit the ball hard. He's done well the last two years in RBI situations and seems to have modified his approach enough to be a decent major league hitter. Wallner probably and Kirilloff possibly will get another chance this year. Maybe they'll make the jump, maybe not. The Twins don't have enough left handed hitting upside to just give up on any of these three. Emma Rodriguez and Walker Jenkins are in the pipeline. One would think they are surer bets than Larnach, AK or Wallner, but there's room for two or three to thrive and help the Twins.

[ashbury]

12 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

I have been thinking about this for a couple weeks. Wallner and Kirilloff disappointed for the Twins this year and Larnach has stepped up. I'm not willing to say he's "figured it out", but he has sustained decent performance for 40% of a season, but then again Wallner did that too. In shorter stretches Kirilloff has also looked like an accomplished major league hitter.

The Twins absolutely need decent production from one of the three players this year and might need two guys to establish themselves in 2025 with the probable exit of Max Kepler. The three guys are an interesting compare and contrast. Wallner has big power and the best speed along with an elite throwing arm, but he seems to have the most problems making contact consistently. Kirilloff was the highest draft choice and seemed to possess the best bat-to-ball skill. He's left handed and has been regarded as a potential first baseman since he was drafted. Larnach doesn't have the arm, power or speed that Wallner has, but he's a capable outfielder who excelled in college and presents as a decent power hitter.

Larnach is getting big league time and hasn't squandered it. He's reduced his chase rate and his strikeouts and has hit the ball hard. He's done well the last two years in RBI situations and seems to have modified his approach enough to be a decent major league hitter. Wallner probably and Kirilloff possibly will get another chance this year. Maybe they'll make the jump, maybe not. The Twins don't have enough left handed hitting upside to just give up on any of these three. Emma Rodriguez and Walker Jenkins are in the pipeline. One would think they are surer bets than Larnach, AK or Wallner, but there's room for two or three to thrive and help the Twins.

Larnach and Wallner are examples of how a small-budget team needs to operate.  They aren't identical players but to a great extent fill the same role on a roster.  Both still have minor league options.  So in principle, they are a good use of the 40-man roster, and whichever one is performing better is the one who should be on the 26-man.  If by some chance both are performing great, the manager will figure out how they coexist (Wallner in right, Larnach in left).  But for a team that's not rebuilding, and not willing to simply discard overpaid vets and let the youth take over by default, it's a nice combination to have.  (Whether the player consigned to AAA and putting up great numbers is going to be happy, that's a different problem that management has to factor in.)

I wish they had more of this kind of roster flexibility, instead of veterans like Farmer and Margot who suddenly got old.  (And I realize Manny doesn't turn 30 until September, but he's playing old.)

[DocBauer]

17 minutes ago, SwainZag said:

I agree.  That's the risk you take when you DH one catcher and start the other.  

Again, I'm not saying you or @stringer bellare wrong. I've been a Twins fan for 50 years but grew up watching a TON of Cubs, Braves, and Mets through cable TV as a younger man. I've seen decades of NL old school baseball. And I've SO MUCH of pitchers bunting and striking out and killing rallies, etc, etc. 

But that's just the way it was for decades.

MLB has been SO SLOW to adapt to ANYTHING from the game on the field to marketing. And they are STILL behind almost every other league in so many ways. Again, a different topic for another day.

I actually love inter league play. It's just FUN to see different teams and different players and match ups. And I'm glad that we finally have the DH universally. Not only was it a weird imbalance, but spending decades watching pitchers TRYING to hit was boredom if not infuriating at times. 

But the DH is universal now. I'm glad that it is. And I can fully understand and appreciate the idea that you can't PH for the DH. But IMO, when someone gets HURT, in any sport, including MLB, you get time to see if that player can continue or not.

I just don't see an issue with replacing a HURT DH with someone else. We're not talking about PH for an advantage. I'm just saying if a DH is actually injured, why should a team have to give up the DH spot and make a pitcher hit...especially since pitchers aren't even supposed to ever hit any longer with the universal DH...when the team with the injured player could offer up a sub?

[stringer bell]

20 minutes ago, DocBauer said:

I'm just saying if a DH is actually injured, why should a team have to give up the DH spot and make a pitcher hit...especially since pitchers aren't even supposed to ever hit any longer with the universal DH...when the team with the injured player could offer up a sub?

The DH wasn’t injured. The catcher was injured and the DH was put on the field to replace the injured catcher. Essentially, allowing the DH to take the field in the event of an injury would open a can of worms IMHO. 
 

MLB has made rules so Ohtani could hit and DH, so I suppose it is not impossible, but I think it is changing the usage of a DH that has been in place in the AL for over 50 years. 

[DocBauer]

1 hour ago, stringer bell said:

I have been thinking about this for a couple weeks. Wallner and Kirilloff disappointed for the Twins this year and Larnach has stepped up. I'm not willing to say he's "figured it out", but he has sustained decent performance for 40% of a season, but then again Wallner did that too. In shorter stretches Kirilloff has also looked like an accomplished major league hitter.

The Twins absolutely need decent production from one of the three players this year and might need two guys to establish themselves in 2025 with the probable exit of Max Kepler. The three guys are an interesting compare and contrast. Wallner has big power and the best speed along with an elite throwing arm, but he seems to have the most problems making contact consistently. Kirilloff was the highest draft choice and seemed to possess the best bat-to-ball skill. He's left handed and has been regarded as a potential first baseman since he was drafted. Larnach doesn't have the arm, power or speed that Wallner has, but he's a capable outfielder who excelled in college and presents as a decent power hitter.

Larnach is getting big league time and hasn't squandered it. He's reduced his chase rate and his strikeouts and has hit the ball hard. He's done well the last two years in RBI situations and seems to have modified his approach enough to be a decent major league hitter. Wallner probably and Kirilloff possibly will get another chance this year. Maybe they'll make the jump, maybe not. The Twins don't have enough left handed hitting upside to just give up on any of these three. Emma Rodriguez and Walker Jenkins are in the pipeline. One would think they are surer bets than Larnach, AK or Wallner, but there's room for two or three to thrive and help the Twins.

I think we're speaking the same language. IMO, Rodriguez won't be ready opening day 2025, but sometime later. Right now, I'm higher on Wallner than AK. I can live with a 30% K rate if there's enough actual contact and HIT ability along with a decent BB and tremendous power from Wallner. I actually believe he's improved defensively as an OF, and can get better. I think he showed that last season in LF, even though he's normally been a RF previously. JUST MY OPION but if he stuck in RF, he might be at least average there. His wheels aren't bad once he gets going. And the arm is a cannon. IMO, he has a hard time "reading" the ball off the bat and is better the more he plays one position.

[DocBauer]

1 hour ago, ashbury said:

Larnach and Wallner are examples of how a small-budget team needs to operate.  They aren't identical players but to a great extent fill the same role on a roster.  Both still have minor league options.  So in principle, they are a good use of the 40-man roster, and whichever one is performing better is the one who should be on the 26-man.  If by some chance both are performing great, the manager will figure out how they coexist (Wallner in right, Larnach in left).  But for a team that's not rebuilding, and not willing to simply discard overpaid vets and let the youth take over by default, it's a nice combination to have.  (Whether the player consigned to AAA an putting up great numbers is going to be happy, that's a different problem that management has to factor in.)

I wish they had more of this kind of roster flexibility, instead of veterans like Farmer and Margot who suddenly got old.

The problem is they are stuck between NOW and 2025.

Kepler will be gone next year. Larnach is starting to figure it out, IMO. Wallner is looking like the prospect he was in 2023 just begging to come up and make a difference again and potentially be a fixture.  And we're still not sure about Kirilloff. But you also mentioned Margot. The problem there is, the Twins are a contending team and Margot has suddenly been the player they thought they were acquiring. In fact, he's been even better through June. 

So do you hold on to Margot instead of a LH younger OF for now? Are Margot and Martin redundant? Do you send Martin back to AAA even though he might not deserve it? 

How amazing would it be for Lee...or Julien when he forces the issue...to play 2B and let Castro do what he does best, which is be a great player ALL OVER?

But that means Farmer is gone, or Martin gets sent down. 

The offense is actually one of the best in MLB since about May 1st. One of the best against LHP which we haven't seen since 2019. And still good against RHP. But it feels like they could really use another LH bat for the remainder of the season.

Who???

I know this sounds crazy as we're still trailing Cleveland and there is this sort of "whoh is me and we aren't good enough" attitude after the horrible start to the season. But if you take a step back and realize how good the offense has been the past couple of months you'd realize the Twins are actually in a bit of a roster crunch. 

I would have let Margot go a month ago and just let Martin get ML time. But Margot has suddenly been good. Farmer hasn't been anything close to good, but he's been much better the past 30 days. So do you just jetison him now for Lee? Maybe you do. Not sure the FO feels that way.

CRAZY as it sounds, the offense is clicking and there is ACTUALLY a roster crunch in regard to NOW, and who might be part of 2025 and beyond.

That's a good thing.