Four Minnesota Twins Stats to be Thankful For

[Matthew Lenz]

‘Tis the season of gratitude and reflection. Let’s look back at four statistics from the 2024 Minnesota Twins season that we should be thankful for.

Image courtesy of Left: © Matt Blewett-Imagn Images; Left Middle: © Matt Krohn-Imagn Images; Right Middle: © David Banks-Imagn Images; Right: © Eric Canha-Imagn Images

In a year headlined by the Pohlads' frugality, broadcasting issues, and a historic collapse, we often need the reminder that the Twins were a playoff-caliber club for more than two-thirds of the season. You aren’t a playoff contender without players who are producing at exceptional rates, as compared to the rest of the league. Let’s look at four(ish) statistics that stood out across the league for our local club.

Matt Wallner’s Power
Matt Wallner is a power player on both sides of the ball, with a 98th percentile exit velocity (EV) and 99th percentile arm strength. While we need to see considerable improvement in Wallner’s contact rate, the lefty hits the snot out of the ball when he makes contact, boasting elite hard-hit rates. With a 93 mile-per-hour average EV and a 116.8 mile-per-hour maximum, the lefty mashed 13 home runs in only 220 at-bats in 2024. His hardest-hit ball was “just” a single, but his second-hardest was this 116.7 MPH scorcher over the right-field fence at Guaranteed Rate Field.

And then there was the behemoth off Griffin Canning.

On the other side of the ball, Wallner might grade out as a below-average right fielder, but he has one of the best arms in the game. Runners need to tread lightly (er, quickly? Tread not at all?) when they’re thinking about extra bases on a ball hit to Wallner, as he shows off an arm that produced a maximum velocity of 101.2 MPH and an average velocity (on competitive throws) of 96.9. On Aug. 30, the Toronto Blue Jays' Spencer Horwitz learned this this hard way.

Byron Buxton’s Speed
Twins fans are very aware of Buxton’s speed, and while we’d love to see it employed more on the basepaths, it’s helped him remain one of the best centerfielders in the game. His Sprint Speed and Outs Above Average (OAA) both sit in the 97th percentile in all of baseball, and his best catch of the season was this liner off the bat of Los Angeles Dodgers Teoscar Hernandez, which had a 35% catch probability.

Nothin’ but raindrops, folks.

Griffin Jax’s Stuff
While rumors swirl regarding Jax’s ability to be a starter, he has cemented himself as one of the best relievers in baseball, with a bevy of statistics that sit in the 90th percentile of the league or better. Most notably, his chase rate (99th percentile), whiff rate (98th), and strikeout rate (97th) lead to some of the best actual and expected stats in the majors. Sure, the highlight below is from Spring Training, but my oh my did he send the Pittsburgh Pirates' Tsung-Che Cheng back to medieval times with this sweeper.

Joe Ryan’s Command
The Twins really missed Joe Ryan down the stretch, in large part due to his ability to control and command the strike zone. With a 96th percentile walk rate and a 98th percentile expected OBP, Ryan limited free passes better than nearly anyone in baseball – an important attribute when you don’t have traditionally overpowering stuff. His ability to live on the edge of the strike zone doesn’t just limit walks. It also limits a hitter’s quality of contact, resulting in better-than-average exit velocities and hard-hit rates for the righty.

There’s plenty more to be thankful for this season, and it gives us plenty to look forward to as the calendar inches toward 2025. One thing is for certain: No matter what happens with the team on the field in 2025, we here at Twins Daily are thankful for the owners, editors, content creators, and readers that make this all possible. Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate—and cheers, all the same, to those who don’t!

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What are YOU thankful for this year?

 

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[LambchoP]

I'll be thankful for a new owners who wants to regain the trust of MN fans and win a world series...

[nclahammer]

I'm thankful I won't have to watch Manny Margot at the plate or in the field for the Minnesota Twins next season.

[FargoFanMan]

I’m thankful for all these guys’ skills! I’m hopeful that:

1) We get to see a full season of Wallner power. That means he doesn’t go into any deep deep slumps that allows him to play 125+ games for the big club in RF.

2) That we get another 100+ games of Buxton with no big injuries. Despite the injuries and the slumps this guy can go on absolute tears and bring GG caliber defense in CF!

3) I’m hopeful that the rumors of the Terry Ryan sounding move to try him as a SP are not true and he gets to put up another shutdown season out of the bullpen. I want him to be lights out and make the all star team and show he’s a top 5 reliever in the AL!

4) I hope Joe Ryan can make it a full season after putting everything together for a top 3 CY Young season! This guy works on his craft and if he can make 30 starts and replicate last season plus I believe he makes an all star game appearance and starts game 1 of a divisional series matchup.