Can the Twins Gain a Strategic Advantage at Second Base?

[Cody Christie]

Second base has become an offensive production dead zone. Can the Twins find a strategic advantage at this position in 2025?

Image courtesy of Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

A subtle but noticeable shift has occurred across baseball in recent years. With the implementation of limitations on defensive shifts, many teams have begun prioritizing defense at second base. This position was known more for a blend of speed and occasional power. 

So what has been the on-field result? Offensive production at second has dipped as teams put glove-first players on the field to shore up their infield defense. For the Minnesota Twins, finding the right balance at second base could significantly boost offensive production while keeping the defense sound. Last season, the Twins ranked 12th in the AL for WAR from second basemen, making it a clear area for improvement. 

When MLB limited shifts, it fundamentally altered how teams could align their defenders. In the past, teams often stationed their worst defensive infielder at second base, compensating by shifting their best glove to cover the hole on the right side of the infield. Now, with fewer shifts to bail them out, second basemen need range, quickness, and precision. Teams have responded by moving better defenders to second, sacrificing some offensive production. This change has left a position that once boasted All-Star-level offensive threats with a new, defense-first identity.

As the Twins look to assemble their 2025 infield, they have an exciting mix of players who bring both offensive upside and the potential for solid defense. Here’s a look at what each candidate offers and how they might fit into this shifting trend.

Brooks Lee: Avoiding the Sophomore Slump
Lee has a legitimate shot to be the face of the Twins’ infield for years to come. Drafted with high expectations, he has displayed offensive prowess and impressive plate discipline in the minors, quickly earning him top-prospect status. During his rookie season, he struggled with a 64 OPS+ in 50 games, but that lack of production could have been from him dealing with back issues. While he’s primarily developed as a shortstop, Lee’s bat may be the Twins’ ticket to bolstering their lineup at second base.

Defensively, Lee’s hands and instincts could transition smoothly to second base, giving the Twins a solid defensive presence without sacrificing offense. Though he has less range than a prototypical middle infielder, his strong arm and quick reactions might prove valuable, mainly if his bat develops as hoped. Adding Lee to second base allows the Twins to maximize his offensive potential while still getting decent defense, a combination that could keep second base from being a dead spot in the lineup.

Royce Lewis: The Reluctant Second Baseman
Lewis has dazzled Twins fans with flashes of superstar potential, showing an explosive bat and clutch performances. However, his injury history and the versatility he’s displayed make him an exciting option at second base. He struggled through the second half last season by posting a .620 OPS. Although he’s primarily seen as a third baseman or shortstop, Lewis’s athleticism could translate well to second, giving the Twins both a defensive upgrade and the potential for a true power threat in the infield. Minnesota attempted to move Lewis to second base during the 2024 campaign, but he was reluctant to make the move. It seems likely that the team will give him more reps at the position during spring training so he is more comfortable in the position. 

Offensively, Lewis has the tools to bring the kind of production that’s increasingly rare at second. His power, speed, and offensive versatility make him a strong candidate for the position. While it’s tempting to slot him into other spots on the diamond, moving him to second could unlock the kind of offensive profile that teams increasingly sacrifice at this position. If Lewis stays healthy, he could bring an impact bat and athletic defense to a spot that’s usually seen as a defensive safety net.

Willi Castro: The Defensive Utility Solution
Castro has quietly become one of the Twins’ most reliable and versatile defenders. He was a Gold Glove finalist at the utility spot, but second base might be his best defensive spot. While he doesn’t bring the offensive fireworks that other options offer, Castro’s range, speed, and glove work make him an invaluable utility player. Castro has shown he can handle multiple positions, including second base, with competence and consistency.

Offensively, Castro’s numbers are more modest (102 OPS+), but his speed and occasional pop make him a valuable depth option. Like many Twins hitters, he struggled in the second half and posted a .627 OPS, 147 points lower than his first-half total. For a team looking to cover various defensive positions, Castro could be a defensive upgrade at second base, especially if injuries or matchups call for a glove-first player. Castro may not be the everyday answer, but as a bench piece or a matchup-driven starter, he’s an ideal option for adding flexibility and defense across the field.

The Verdict: Balancing Offense and Defense
Ultimately, the Twins face a difficult choice. The league-wide trend toward defense-first second basemen doesn’t mean the position has to be an offensive black hole. Lee and Lewis bring offensive potential with solid, albeit unproven, defense, making them strong candidates for an everyday role. Castro offers reliable versatility as a defensive utility option but likely won’t be the team’s everyday option at second base.

It’s clear that second base no longer fits the traditional offensive profile, but with the right combination of players, the Twins can buck the trend by building an infield that maintains its offensive production without sacrificing defense. This mix of options could allow Minnesota to adapt to changing roster needs throughout the season, and as we enter 2025, it will be interesting to see how they balance both sides of the ball at second base.

For Twins fans, the choices at second base offer more than just roster depth—they offer a glimpse into the future of infield strategy in the post-shift era. Will the Twins prioritize defense like many teams, or will they buck the trend and bring power back to second base? As we await those answers, one thing’s for sure: the options at second base are anything but boring.

What option is the best for the Twins at second base? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. 

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[Riverbrian]

Apparently Julien is out of consideration. 

[DJL44]

3 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

Apparently Julien is out of consideration. 

He should be.

Falvey compared Royce Lewis to Ryne Sandberg the other day so I think he has tipped his hand.

[DJL44]

Second base defense is a multiplier. Turning double plays is a big deal for run prevention.

[TopGunn#22]

I think the Twins have some GOOD options for 2B.  Lewis at 1B has been discussed and he may be their best option.  But you'd hate to put a player with his athletic profile at a position he would have to learn on the fly.  Lewis at 2B could be an excellent fit, IF, he's willing to give it a shot.  I also think a healthy Lewis would be fine at 3B.

Brooks Lee is the best option defensively at either 2B or 3B and could probably be the primary backup for Correa if he needs a day off or spends time on the IL.  Where does Lee profile to be better defensively?  Could he be a Gold Glove caliber 2B?  He probably profiles as a solid 3B.  either way, his switch hitting bat should develop into a plus and he looks to be an answer at either 2B or 3B.

Willi Castro:  I think it's time to stop saying Castro "is not a full time player."  He IS a full time player.  He just plays a LOT of different positions.  I've compared Castro in the past as kind of a Cesar Tovar "Lite."  He's not the hitter Tovar was, but he provides the speed and the glove.  It took the Twins awhile before Tovar rose to "everyday status" as a specific position player.  In 1967 & 1968 Tovar played all over.  By 1969, while he could still play a little 3B and 2B he was mostly in the OF (primarily LF until a trade opened up the CF spot for him in 1970 & 1971).  

Castro IS a fulltime player, just not at a specific position.  Is it time to reward him with one and put him at 2B?  I think this is an option with Eeles, Helman, etc... getting a chance to break in as the utility guy.  To me, this is a big decision the Twins need to make this off season.  Has Castro finally earned a full time, specific position or does he remain the Super Utility guy?  Do we trade him to a team that offers him the full time defensive position or does the other team feel he's "just a utility guy?"  I think Castro would be a decent full time option at 2B. 

Back in the late 1960's and early 1970's the Twins finally rewarded Cesar Tovar with a full time defensive position, while still using him as a utility guy occasionally.  It paid off very well for the Twins then.  Could it do so again with Castro?  

[stringer bell]

I think Castro is best utilized at multiple positions and playing a bit less than full-time. I think he is fine at second and third and left field. Moving him to those spots to cover for injuries and slumps would be the best way to utilize his skills IMHO--starting between 90-120 games.

Julien may well have to work his way back from Triple A. The hitter he was in 2023 was good enough to compensate for bumpy defense. Lee is inexperienced at second, but probably has the skills to be decent there. The Twins do need to figure out Lewis' and Lee's future positions--one at third and one at second would make sense to me.

[Rod Carews Birthday]

Since Lee seemingly had a freshman slump, how bad would he have to be to have a sophomore slump?

 

[Maybe Next Year]

I'm not convinced that Lewis does not want to play second base. I think the way in which the Twins threw him into the position during the season without any chance to learn, practice and get comfortable at the position was what he disliked. I thought Twins management handled it poorly.

[LambchoP]

I think Lee is our best bet moving forward. He can also back up SS and 3rd. I don't think Lewis should play second. Keep him at third where he's comfortable, possibly moving him to first base where he profiles better as a power hitter. Hopefully Eeles and Keaschal can factor in somehow. Maybe Julien hits his way back to the majors. You can never have too much depth. Maybe we can turn some of these infielders into trade bait if enough of them are successful 

[Riverbrian]

48 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

He should be.

Falvey compared Royce Lewis to Ryne Sandberg the other day so I think he has tipped his hand.

Should be? 

Yikes. You kill quickly! 

[Patzky]

1 hour ago, Riverbrian said:

Apparently Julien is out of consideration. 

His name was conspicuous by it's absence, you're right. Helman or Eeles if Castro is too rich for the banker's diet?

[Riverbrian]

12 minutes ago, Patzky said:

His name was conspicuous by it's absence, you're right. Helman or Eeles if Castro is too rich for the banker's diet?

I don't know a lot about Payton Eeles. I can see that he moved through the system fairly quickly this year however he was 23 in his final year at Coastal Carolina. That means that he doesn't really have the time to get comfortable in Fort Myers so he can one step at a time it. 

Looking at his stats which is all I have to go by. His OPS across 3 levels (FM, CR and ST.P) was almost identical to the OPS produced by Julien in Wichita at age 23 in 2022. 

I also notice that Payton doesn't have to be added to the 40 man until Dec 2027 so his addition to the 40 man in 2025 would be considered more aggressive than his aggressive rise from Fort Myers to St. Paul in his first year with the organization. 

I don't know a lot about Payton. But he sure looks like someone who doesn't apply roster pressure but could get a spot when injury or failure necessity creates the need for his addition... if he continues to do what he is doing.

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, Riverbrian said:

Should be? 

Yikes. You kill quickly! 

Julien is never going to be a good defender at 2B. At best he's below average.

[Blyleven2011]

We have a lot of surplus infield players  ...

Lewis at third , Correa at shortstop  , Lee at second , ( martin can spell at second ) , keashal is up and coming  ...

Castro makes alot of sense to trade due to money constraints and high trade value for his versatility  , I like him but wouldn't miss him and it would give us the opportunity to retain Santana's defense at first bsse and his bat was alittle more productive than castro ...

Twins need to give these players a stable position to play regularly  and let them either keep it or play out of it  ( why don't they train a player in the minor leagues to be a utility player instead of making position changes at the MLB level , keep a player in situations to succeed  ) ....

IMHO it's a train wreck shuffling these players around unless they are groomed for it in the minors ...

[Schmoeman5]

2 hours ago, DJL44 said:

He should be.

Falvey compared Royce Lewis to Ryne Sandberg the other day so I think he has tipped his hand.

Yeah and Sparky Anderson used to  compare Kirk Gibson to Mickey Mantle. Nothing against Lewis, but Twins fans can only hope he's a shadow of Sandberg. Lewis is still trying to figure out who and what he is. He needs to go back to playing with the youthful exuberance he has shown when things are going well. Not that lost guy everyone saw at the end of the season. 

[jorgenswest]

On surplus players…

In 2024 there were 17 position players that played the majority of their games at the major league level. They did that with just two catchers. Those 17 players spent more of the 2024 season on the major league roster than in the minors. I would not count on Keaschall or Eeles or Helman as part of those 17 but I do expect one or two of them will get some major league playing time. There isn’t a surplus. They need major league caliber players with options.

On Julien…

If he hits close to his 2023 level they will find a spot for him. Mediocre play at second base can be offset with an above average major league bat.

 

 

[Rod Carews Birthday]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

Julien is never going to be a good defender at 2B. At best he's below average.

If he’s an excellent bat, no one will care if he’s not a great defender.  An 850 OPS will overcome a lot of doubts, and he could be capable of that if he figures things back out.  

[DJL44]

6 minutes ago, Rod Carews Birthday said:

If he’s an excellent bat, no one will care if he’s not a great defender.  An 850 OPS will overcome a lot of doubts, and he could be capable of that if he figures things back out.  

If he's an excellent bat he can play 1B.

[DocBauer]

Do we have to decide now? Can we wait until mid season to make our final choices? Not evading the OP, I just think the entire infield...save SS of course...is in potential flux

Even in SSS, I've seen enough of Lee's glove and instincts to say he can be really good at 2B or 3B. So what combination makes the most sense? I think Lewis fine with range and hands and arm strength at 3B, as long as he corrects his throwing motion. (Don't recall him having that issue previously). 

I'm sure Lewis would make a fine 3B. I'm just not sure i see the advantage of moving him there and Lee at 3B. Almost feels like moving Lee and Lewis around just for the sake of doing so. Again, unless Lewis can't get his arm angle adjusted, I just don't know that any kind of move to 2B brings an advantage. 

However, if top 100 prospect Keaschall is as good as advertised, might be be ready for 2B by mid season? Is it possible Eeles is more than just a good story and he's ready for a legitimate option at 2B at some point? At that point, would it make more sense to put Lewis at 1B and Lee at 3B?

Nothing wrong with a good, athletic player at 1B. Means he's got the ability to play good if not very good defense there. So this might, potentially, just be the best 4 man alignment, and by no means a knock on Lewis. Rather, just the best ONF you could build. 

I don't mind Castro at 2B as a full timer for a period of time until someone else is ready. I'd put Lee there for now, and consider any kind of move of he and Lewis until maybe 2026. And that allows Castro to keep playing in his daily SUPER UTILITY role.

I don't believe Julien is out of the equation. While his defense regressed in 2024, he actually showed enough improvement in 2023 to make you believe he could be solid/average there. But if his bat returns to previous form, or close, is see him at 1B/DH with a few games here and there at 2B.

 

[tony&rodney]

How has Falvey arrived at a comparison of Royce Lewis to Rhyne Sandberg. This really highlights what may be a damaging flaw of Falvey's. He struggles to identify talent. Now he does have a entire phalanx of professionals to advise him but he sets the tone. Please tell me what, if any, attributes or skills are shared between Sandberg and Lewis. 

People are down on Julien. Brooks Lee still has luster and promise, even before he undergoes the sophomore jinx. So Royce Lewis, who I agree can be a terrific middle of the order bat, plays second base. Why do folks hate all pitchers? We continually read of suggestions to use below average gloves all over the field and then suggest that it doesn't matter too much. 

Lewis needs to hit. Put him in the middle of the batting order. The guy is jacked up big and has tremendous power and the potential to hit. However, it seems disingenuous to ignore both his massive size and injuries, all of which have robbed him of speed, quickness, and flexibility.  

[Doctor Gast]

You hit the nail right on the head, Cody. You can't hide a slugging below-average glove at 2B any longer since the shift ban. FO is slow to catch on. Julien shouldn't have been ever considered at 2B. He actually improved getting to the balls that normally bleed through but he couldn't make the plays & his DPs were not impressive. He was better profiled at 1B but now the league has taken away his HR advantage. he like Sano has to adjust, IF he adjusts and that's a big IF, he'll never be the same hitter. He was on my trade list last offseason but now he's a must-trade.

Athletic Lee, Lewis, Castro & Martin are very promising options at 2B to start the season which makes me hopeful for much better results at 2B than last season. 

[Riverbrian]

5 hours ago, DJL44 said:

Julien is never going to be a good defender at 2B. At best he's below average.

Maybe... But... They have coaches and they practice and stuff. 

[jorgenswest]

8 hours ago, Cody Christie said:

When MLB limited shifts, it fundamentally altered how teams could align their defenders. In the past, teams often stationed their worst defensive infielder at second base, compensating by shifting their best glove to cover the hole on the right side of the infield. Now, with fewer shifts to bail them out, second basemen need range, quickness, and precision. Teams have responded by moving better defenders to second, sacrificing some offensive production. This change has left a position that once boasted All-Star-level offensive threats with a new, defense-first identity.

These teams have yet to adjust as measured by OAA at 2B. Their primary 2B is listed in parentheses.

Dodgers -3 (Lux -4)

Yankees  -5 (Torres -7)

Astros -7 (Altuve -8)

Orioles -7 (Westburg -7)

The Twins matched the Dodgers at -3 with Julien at -4.

Imagine how much better those teams will perform next year once they join other teams in responding to the MLB rule change on shifts.

The Twins can get by with a below average defensive 2B as long as he makes up the difference with the bat. If Julien can approach his rookie performance with the bat he will be an asset at 2B.

[DJL44]

23 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

Maybe... But... They have coaches and they practice and stuff. 

Julien was 25 in 2024, the age when defense peaks.. He's been coached for many years at 2B and he's the 4th best option defensively (maybe 6th behind Martin and Eeles). He's higher on the depth chart at 1B.

[RpR]

8 hours ago, DJL44 said:

He should be.

Falvey compared Royce Lewis to Ryne Sandberg the other day so I think he has tipped his hand.

Then Ryan was pixilated as Lewis has never shown the fielding ability of Sandberg.

[DJL44]

5 minutes ago, jorgenswest said:

These teams have yet to adjust as measured by OAA at 2B. Their primary 2B is listed in parentheses.

Dodgers -3 (Lux -4)

The Twins matched the Dodgers at -3 with Julien at -4.

Imagine how much better those teams will perform next year once they join other teams in responding to the MLB rule change on shifts.

Dodgers are moving Mookie Betts back to the infield

[jorgenswest]

10 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Dodgers are moving Mookie Betts back to the infield

His bat will play well there.

[Jim wyllie]

Herr is what should happen,  with payroll restrictions Castro is a prime trade candidate.   Lewis needs to move to first base, leaving lee to second base.  I know this leaves no position for Julien but the bench, but strategically it makes the most sense.  Lee would be a defensive upgrade while providing solid offense of not better. As for lewis a move to first only makes sense as it would a good defensive fit and if he can find his bat again he would be a potential top player in the league at his position on both defense and hitting.

[lecroy24fan]

14 minutes ago, Jim wyllie said:

Herr is what should happen,  

Why did you have to drum up the great nightmare of 1988??????

[stringer bell]

1 hour ago, Jim wyllie said:

Herr is what should happen,  with payroll restrictions Castro is a prime trade candidate.   Lewis needs to move to first base, leaving lee to second base.  I know this leaves no position for Julien but the bench, but strategically it makes the most sense.  Lee would be a defensive upgrade while providing solid offense of not better. As for lewis a move to first only makes sense as it would a good defensive fit and if he can find his bat again he would be a potential top player in the league at his position on both defense and hitting.

Then is Miranda the third baseman? He has more issues defensively than Lewis. If Lewis goes to first base (something I've warmed up to), it should be done to provide Lee with a position that he is capable of being a good defender and which matches his skill set.