Predicting 3 Second-Half All-Stars for the Minnesota Twins

[Cody Christie]

After a tremendous first half, Carlos Correa and Willi Castro represented the Twins in the Midsummer Classic. What players on the Twins are set to play at an All-Star level in the season’s most important games?

Image courtesy of Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Last season, Max Kepler was one of baseball’s best hitters in the second half. He saw his wRC+ jump from 88 in the first half to 154 after the break. It was the biggest increase by any player, and the next closest player, Marcell Ozuna, was eight points behind Kepler. It would be great if Kepler could repeat his second-half performance, especially since he has millions of dollars on the line in a potential free-agent deal this winter. Who is prepared to play at an All-Star level for the Twins after not making the AL squad in the first half?

Pablo López, SP
The Twins need López to play at an All-Star level, especially for the stretch run. Last season, he was selected for the All-Star Game, even with some first-half hiccups. López overcame some issues and pitched like one of baseball’s best pitchers in the second half. In his final 13 starts, he posted a 2.79 ERA while holding batters to a .694 OPS in 77 1/3 innings. Also, he put the Twins in position to win both the starts he made in the postseason, showcasing what an ace can mean during the season’s most crucial games. 

Minnesota has survived in the first half because other pitchers like Joe Ryan and Simeon Woods Richardson have outplayed their projections. There might be some regression set to hit players who played over their heads in the first half, which makes López’s performance even more critical.  It’s time for the team’s ace to play up to the performance he showed fans at the end of last season. 

Brooks Lee, IF
Last season, Minnesota fans saw what a trio of rookies meant to the team’s second-half performance. Royce Lewis, Matt Wallner, and Edouard Julien carried the team’s offense through some of the highest-pressure games. Lee is a different style of hitter compared to last year’s rookie triumvirate, which can help him succeed in the second half. He has the best hit tool among the group, has power to all fields, and continues to improve with his right-handed swing. 

Carlos Correa was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis shortly before the break, which could mean the Twins will need Lee to take over at shortstop. Fans saw how Correa was impacted by this type of injury last season, so Lee provides a big-league-ready option to take over at one of baseball’s most important positions. That is a lot of pressure on a 23-year-old rookie with less than 50 plate appearances in the big leagues, but he might be the most polished prospect to come through the Twins system in quite some time. 

Matt Wallner, OF
Wallner is sick of playing at Triple-A and will do everything possible to avoid a return trip to St. Paul. His start to the year couldn’t have gone much worse, with a 2-for-25 (.080 BA) and 17 strikeouts. It was such a small sample size, but it garnered plenty of attention since it happened directly at the season’s start. He went down to Triple-A and did what a slugger should do against lesser competition (he dominated). In 67 games, he combined for 35 extra-base hits, including 19 home runs. His OPS was 1.127 in June, and he won the International League Player of the Month. 

Since returning to the Twins, he has hit safely in six of his seven games with four extra-base hits and four games where he reached base multiple times. Power hitters like Wallner can have ebbs and flows to their performance because of their propensity for swing and miss. Wallner won't miss much in the second half as he settles back into a full-time role. 

Who will be the Twins’ second-half All-Stars? Leave your picks in the COMMENTS and start the discussion. 

 

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[Patzky]

If the Twins are going to get to the playoffs and compete there successfully our MVPs need to be Byron Buxton, Joe Ryan, and Royce Lewis.

 

If we continue only middling competitively Pablo, Correa and Lee will suffice.

 

The explosive stars need to keep exploding (in a healthy manner of course) to surpass last year.

The expected stars performing expectedly is not enough.

[LambchoP]

We need Royce, Miranda and Correa back. Them plus adding Stewart and maybe Topa to our bullpen will also be key. Of course it would help out a TON of we could grab z TOR starter and at least one solid lefty reliever at the trade deadline:)

[LA Vikes Fan]

It would be great if these 3 performed at a high level in the second half, particularly Lopez. Having said that, the Keys to the second half are the proven players performing at a high level - Correa, Buxton, and Lopez. That only gets us there IF at least 3 of the young lineup guys really steeping it up from the group of Lewis, Castro, Wallner, Lee, Jeffers, Julien, and Larnach, while the rest are at least decent,  PLUS we get strong second halves from at least 3 of Lopez, Ryan, Ober, and SWR. All possible, maybe even more likely than not, but has to happen if we are going to compete. We can't expect to ride a Kepler, Santana, Margot train and get any place. We've given the younger guys a shot. They now need to show for us to move up.    

[Road trip]

My dark horse pick would be Jorge Alcala.  He gave up a freak HR yesterday on a pitch  well above the strike zone, but he has also been dominant at times the past two months. 

Teams that make playoff runs often have a bullpen that can shorten the game.  If Alcala can be that 7th inning guy shut down guy he will be incredibly valuable. 

[mickster]

1 hour ago, Patzky said:

If the Twins are going to get to the playoffs and compete there successfully our MVPs need to be Byron Buxton, Joe Ryan, and Royce Lewis.

 

If we continue only middling competitively Pablo, Correa and Lee will suffice.

 

The explosive stars need to keep exploding (in a healthy manner of course) to surpass last year.

The expected stars performing expectedly is not enough.

agreed.    Counting on Lee will not be a winning formula.    Pablo I agree on and his 1st start out of the gates was a good one.   The trio of Buxton, Correa and Pablo are key.     However, this will all revolve around the starting staff to maintain while Pablo improves.

[Craig Arko]

I’d like to find room for Duran in there.

[TwinsDr2021]

I wish the best of luck for Wallner, but I find it hard to be a second half all star, when you don't bat against left handed pitchers, are pinch hit for and was sat the second game after the all star game against a mediocre right handed starting pitcher. 

My thoughts on this subject is, the Twins don't need all star type of players (It doesn't hurt), they need exactly what they got before the all star game, solid play all around, better than average starting pitching and solid to better relief pitching, and staying healthy would be helpful.

[Doctor Gast]

We need clutch hitting from everybody. But to answer your question about the all-star performance in the 2nd half? Have to believe Pablo & Duran will turn it around, Correa is always a 2nd half guy so once plantar fasciitis is behind him look out. Lewis & Miranda will mash when they get back they have to be candidates. Expect the same from Buxton which is a very good upgrade, the same for Castro. The young guys will surprise when given the opportunity. Expect the same quality performance from Jax. Alcala & Staumont will continue to pitch great if managed properly. 

[mikelink45]

It is an interesting topic, but without much more than intuition which is pretty low on the predictive scale so I will go ahead and predict who I see.  I do agree on Wallner.  I think Julien could be motivated in the same way.

Lopez just worries me - the inconsistency is an issue.  With Paddack out again I think I will look to one of the rookie pitchers - Festa? Zebby I wish, Morris maybe?  but what we really need is a relief pitcher to rise up and give us what we have not had for a long time - so Brock Stewart needs to respond to the call.  

I would love to see Lee surge and I think he will, but it will be the return of Lewis that really motivates the team. 

[Whitey333]

Going to need your key veteran star players to have good second halves.  Somehow avoid further injuries.  Go Twins.

[MinnInPa]

nope on wallner..just K's too much . he's your typical AAAA player.. success against AAA pitching ..but just cant get it done in the bigs. Getting Correa, Lewis and Miranda back..+ Stewart in the Pen will be huge..and I do See Lopez dominating in the 2nd half....

[JD-TWINS]

22 hours ago, Craig Arko said:

I’d like to find room for Duran in there.

Obviously, there’s a reason for wanting every guy to perform well and some rationale. Not saying you disagree just pointing out some positives here.

To me, Duran has been just fine and continuing his first half will work. He missed first 3-4 weeks and still has 15 saves. I think he’s 5-4…….one game was tough luck & 3 were due to homers on breaking stuff hanging in the zone……it happens. Consecutive days made it tough to stomach!!

His velocity dropping from 103 to 101 seems awfully critical to me. His curve is still 86 mph & his splinker at 96-97. Stay healthy is my hope for him!

[Road trip]

2 hours ago, MinnInPa said:

nope on wallner..just K's too much . he's your typical AAAA player.. success against AAA pitching ..but just cant get it done in the bigs. Getting Correa, Lewis and Miranda back..+ Stewart in the Pen will be huge..and I do See Lopez dominating in the 2nd half....

Yes, Wallner K's too much.  Too soon to know he won't adjust...give him another 350 at bats and see what we get.  I know I wouldn't want a lineup full of Wallners, but to have one in there batting in the bottom 1/3?  I'll take that any time.  

Totally wrong to say he hasn't had success in the majors.  OPS+ of 125 this year, 131 last year.  That's very good, especially for a player just getting started in MLB.  2.3 WAR in only 113 games, also very good. His hard hit rates and average exit velocity are elite.  He just needs to make contact more often to become great.  Even as he is today, he is valuable.  If he improves he's a unicorn.