Are the Minnesota Twins Willing to Believe in DaShawn Keirsey Jr.?

[Nick Nelson]

The Twins need major-league outfield depth—namely, a player who can back up Byron Buxton in center and handle the corners as needed.

They already have a player on hand capable of fulfilling this role, at the league minimum salary. It's just not all that clear the team trusts him to do it. Should they?

Image courtesy of Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

In 2023, between Double-A and Triple-A, DaShawn Keirsey Jr. had a fantastic season. He slashed .294/.366/.455 with 15 homers, 41 extra-base hits and 39 steals in 130 games, all while playing (primarily) center field. At age 26, the former fourth-round draft pick had the makings of a late bloomer, capable of filling a valuable big-league role. 

As such, around this time a year ago, we were wondering if the Twins would add Keirsey to the 40-man roster and protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. They didn't, and from accounts that Aaron Gleeman has shared on the Gleeman and the Geek podcast, it doesn't sound like they seriously considered it. (Paraphrasing: After multiple inquiries about the team's likelihood of adding Keirsey, a Twins official replied to AG, "Boy, you really like DaShawn Keirsey, huh?")

So then, we wondered if the Twins would regret exposing Keirsey to the Rule 5 draft. They didn't. He went undrafted and stayed in the organization, returning in 2024 to put together a season that was even more impressive than the last: In 111 games at Triple-A, he slashed .300/.368/.476 with 14 homers, 43 extra-base hits and 36 steals. His 133 hits set a St. Paul Saints franchise record—despite missing nearly a month with injury.

The Twins continued to exhibit a lack of visible faith. They didn't call up Keirsey until their hand was essentially forced in September, when they finally placed a hobbled Max Kepler on the injured list. Then they sent Keirsey back down nine days later. Keirsey returned for the final weekend of the season, once Minnesota was knocked out of contention, but overall, he got only 14 plate appearances. 

During his brief time with the Twins, Keirsey went 2-for-13 but showed a few nice signs, including some defensive flashes and a home run. He clearly can handle center, and he offers standout speed, which is a rarity on this slogging Minnesota roster. His performance in Triple-A at least suggests some level of offensive ability. 

With Kepler and Manuel Margot departing this offseason, the Twins need a player like Keirsey, who could back up Byron Buxton in center and supplement their corner outfield depth. But are they willing to trust Keirsey to be that guy? That's not at all clear.

The front office's reluctance to give Keirsey a chance this season and the lack of playing time he received when on the roster, seem like red flags. Why not feed him some at-bats at the tail end of the season to get a better look if you're considering him as part of your future plans? Keirsey got three at-bats the final weekend, in meaningless games. 

You don't find a ton of late-20s guys with virtually no MLB experience on 40-man rosters, and between Keirsey and Michael Helman, the Twins have a couple. There isn't much evidence the team has significant confidence in either, but at the same time, both have the ability to fill roles the team needs and both would make the minimum in 2025, which weighs heavily for the front office given its financial constraints.

Keirsey strikes me as a pivotal figure this offseason. Will the Twins aim higher for the backup center-field role, dedicating some share of their limited resources to an external option like Michael A. Taylor or Margot? Or are they finally willing to give Keirsey a real shot? In the end, they might not have much of a choice.

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[Brett]

Austin Martin got 233 at bats last year. Would love to see Keirsey get that level of opportunity this year.

[stringer bell]

I'm a bit of a skeptic about Keirsey, but I think he'll get his chance this year. Unless the Twins add a center field capable big league outfielder, he is the obvious choice.

If the Twins analyze last year, a key player (Willi Castro) wore down in large part because he spent too much time in the highest spectrum defensive positions (center field and shortstop), so in 2025, someone else should be the primary backup to the oft-injured Buxton. Austin Martin is another option, but his defense was poor and his offense was ordinary. Keirsey is clearly the best in-house option, at least for now.

[thelanges5]

Unless Falvey has some tricks up his sleeve Keirsey should get his chance. Like his speed and defense. Can’t be worse than Magoo, can he?

[killertwinfan]

Welcome your 2025 MN Twins.  🤐

[mikelink45]

52 minutes ago, Brett said:

Austin Martin got 233 at bats last year. Would love to see Keirsey get that level of opportunity this year.

Good point - I did not see Martin as someone who will be a difference maker and since his ABs were not that good and his defense in the field was well below Keirsey I am baffled by the Twins Martin/Margot fixation. 

[mikelink45]

I am a fan of Keirsey = not a fan of Margot or Austin.  Time to give him a real shot - not the kind of in and out lack of consistency we gave Rooker years ago.  In a budget constrained roster he seems perfect.

[TwinsDr2021]

4 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

I am a fan of Keirsey = not a fan of Margot or Austin.  Time to give him a real shot - not the kind of in and out lack of consistency we gave Rooker years ago.  In a budget constrained roster he seems perfect.

The only teams that give a soon to be 28 year old (May 13th) a real shot are teams that aren't really trying or know they can't compete. I am fine with him as a 4th/5th outfielder and short term fill in, but in no way should he be blocking any real prospect. With that said I hope he makes the best of his opportunity and forces the Twins hand by being crazy good. (Don't think it will happen, but I hope it does)

[TwinsDr2021]

I will add I do find it interesting that Stevenson put up better numbers in AAA the year before and actually had done a little in the majors and nobody thought he was a Twins solution? (Barely two years older)

 

[mikelink45]

4 minutes ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

The only teams that give a soon to be 28 year old (May 13th) a real shot are teams that aren't really trying or know they can't compete. I am fine with him as a 4th/5th outfielder and short term fill in, but in no way should he be blocking any real prospect. With that said I hope he makes the best of his opportunity and forces the Twins hand by being crazy good. (Don't think it will happen, but I hope it does)

There are a lot of good MLB players over the years who did not blossom until they were 26 - 30.  But he cannot show his ability until given a chance. 

[TwinsDr2021]

19 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

There are a lot of good MLB players over the years who did not blossom until they were 26 - 30.  But he cannot show his ability until given a chance. 

He will be 28 very soon, so to include him in the 26-30 is very misleading. And there are NOT a lot of good MLB players that blossom at this age, there are very, very few which is why teams generally don't give guys like this much of a chance. (You could say Rooker, but he was in the majors at age 25, 26 and a bit at 27 before blossoming for a last place team that went 50 - 112 at age 28) Whit Merrifield is another and was given a chance on a .500 team that within 2 years was winning less than 60 games.

I wish Keirsey all the luck in the world and hope he is the exception to the rule and not the rule. 

[Cory Engelhardt]

If you have Keirsey, and Buxton is healthy, when would he play? He certainly doesn't fit a platoon with either Wallner or Larnach. 

I like his skillset. It's something the team doesn't have enough of, which is speed and defense. But it's hard to fit him into what feels like a square peg in a round hole.

If they move either Larnach or Wallner, and want to start the year with a platoon in left with Keirsey and some right handed hitting corner outfielder (Mark Canha or Randall Grichuk) that would make more sense. I just have a hard time seeing his fit otherwise.

[LambchoP]

I would love to see him as our fourth OF, Buxton backup. He's done everything he can in AAA to get a shot. He's really the only legit center fielder we have on the roster other than Buck. Plus, he'll add speed and stolen bases, something this team really needs. The only problem is, he's left handed, meaning he's most likely going to be a part time players/late game defensive sub/pinch runner unless Buxton is hurt. I think Keirsey would be the kind of guy who could really break out if he'd have everyday playing time. I'd say give him the 4rth OF job if he earns it in Spring. Our young LH hitters need to learn how to hit left handed pitchers anyways. If we always shield them, they'll never learn or improve.

[nicksaviking]

They don't have to believe in him, they just have to realize he has a quality that the 2025 version of Manny Margot does not; options.

If Keirsey flops, no big deal, send him down and try the next man up. If Margot flops? Sigh, it's going to be a long year.

[stringer bell]

10 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

If you have Keirsey, and Buxton is healthy, when would he play? He certainly doesn't fit a platoon with either Wallner or Larnach. 

I like his skillset. It's something the team doesn't have enough of, which is speed and defense. But it's hard to fit him into what feels like a square peg in a round hole.

If they move either Larnach or Wallner, and want to start the year with a platoon in left with Keirsey and some right handed hitting corner outfielder (Mark Canha or Randall Grichuk) that would make more sense. I just have a hard time seeing his fit otherwise.

So maybe Keirsey is ideal as Buxton's backup. We do know that Buxton won't play every day, even if healthy. Having a guy (Keirsey) who you don't worry about rusting on the bench to fill in for the 20% of games when Buck is rested is good. Plus Keirsey can pinch run and be used as a defensive replacement for one of the many slow guys who will be starting for the Twins.

[Cory Engelhardt]

4 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

So maybe Keirsey is ideal as Buxton's backup. We do know that Buxton won't play every day, even if healthy. Having a guy (Keirsey) who you don't worry about rusting on the bench to fill in for the 20% of games when Buck is rested is good. Plus Keirsey can pinch run and be used as a defensive replacement for one of the many slow guys who will be starting for the Twins.

I can see that. As of now it's probably between him and Martin in that respect, depending on if they do trade Castro. Either way, they both would have options right? So I'd imagine both will play this year.

[TopGunn#22]

It's time.  Since money is the primary consideration to the Twins, Keirsey should finally be given a real shot.  I think the comparison to Austin Martin AB's-wise is a good one.  Keirsey plays good defense, has the speed and athleticism the Twins desperately need and as Buxton's primary replacement fits as a LH hitter.

It remains to be seen if Willi Castro remains on the Twins or gets traded.  His value is at an all time high and at $6.2 million he's a tremendous bargain.  Even for a team like the Twins, who throw nickels around like man hole covers his current contract is a bargain.  If Castro is kept, he could be a LF platoon option with Larnach as well as an infield defender.  Keirsey fits in that scenario.

If Castro is not kept, it would depend on what the Twins got back back in the trade.  But signing a vet like Jose Iglesias for $1.5 million to be your SS/2B/3B defender with good bat to ball skills would be needed to replace what Castro provided in the infield.  Keirsey STILL fits in that scenario.

Over the last 3 seasons, Keirsey has earned the right to be part of this discussion.  When you factor in an injury and the lost Covid minor league season it's no wonder he's behind by a couple years.  Another reason he deserves a shot is that the Twins have a solid "Plan B" in place with Emmanuel Rodriguez.  I expect E-Rod to be up with the Twins by the All Star break.  I don't expect him to break camp with the Twins because they have Wallner & Larnach standing in his way and I doubt the Twins want E-Rod as the 4th outfielder.  When he gets called up it will be to play everyday...or nearly everyday.  

I do not understand the reluctance on the part of the Twins FO to give Keirsey a chance.  He checks a lot of the boxes they need checking right now for the major league roster.  Speed, defense, athleticism. The only real question with Keirsey is will he hit enough to stick.  I'm afraid it may come down to something as arbitrary as how well he hits in spring training.  It would be a real small sample size (SSS to us on TD).  But if he hits well, it will help him a lot more than if he hits .200 in spring training.  

[DJL44]

9 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

If Keirsey flops, no big deal, send him down and try the next man up. If Margot flops? Sigh, it's going to be a long year.

Who is the next man up? McCusker? I like Keirsey as AAA depth but putting him on the 26-man roster with little behind him in the minors could kill their season. They played 10 different people in the outfield last season. Buxton will miss 60-80 games. Kepler, Kirilloff and Margot are gone and they played 291 games between them. Castro is needed more in the infield with Farmer gone. There are 350-400 games at OF/DH left to cover between Rodriguez, Martin, Keirsey Jr and Helman. It would be great to find someone better than Martin to give 120 of those games.

12 minutes ago, LambchoP said:

He's really the only legit center fielder we have on the roster other than Buck.

Emmanuel Rodriguez can play CF. If they're going to give anyone new 300+ at-bats this season I hope it's Rodriguez.

I would like to have another OF on the roster so they don't have to depend on Rodriguez, Helman or Keirsey. I would probably call them up to the majors in that order. Buxton is injured often enough that Keirsey should still get 150-200 plate appearances.

[jmlease1]

Keirsey has speed and defense, but it's fair to be concerned about whether or not he can hit at the MLB level. He certainly had a fine year in Saint Paul, but it is a hitters environment.

The biggest issue for him to claim a roster spot is he's LH and the Twins are in need of players who will thump LHP, and that's not Keirsey. He doesn't have extreme splits or anything, but he's notably better against RHP than LHP and that's likely to be more significant at the MLB level. 

All that said...I'd rather the Twins take a flier on Keirsey being able to fill as the backup CF than sign another Margot. Keirsey has nothing left to prove at AAA, that seems clear.

Larnach, Buxton, and Wallner are the clear starters right now. Right now, there's probably 2 roster spots available for hitters: one will almost certainly be a 1B/DH or COF/1B. The other will likely need to be able to play some CF. I know they'd prefer a RH bat, but if they're not going to start Emma in MLB (I'd consider it depending on his health in spring training) then why not give Keirsey a shot? They'll still have options like Emma or Martin in AAA if he can't hit his weight, and it's not like we have money to throw around due to the self-imposed payroll limitations of the Pohlad Family.

[Blyleven2011]

I too believe he has the tools to be a productive player , even as an older player who struggled with injuries  when he started his professional career after being drafted ...

I've seen him only improve the last 3 years because he has stayed relativity healthy  ,  injuries and covid slowed his development   , get over that he's older , give him the chance and he may just be a player we need to add  some stability to our lineup ...

[Fire Dan Gladden]

1 hour ago, killertwinfan said:

Welcome your 2025 MN Twins.  🤐

The truth... oof.

[Fire Dan Gladden]

Keirsey strikes me as a guy that performs in MiLB, but for whatever reason won't cut it in the majors.  The Twins aren't the only team that thinks that, as he was passed over in the Rule 5 draft.

He will get injury replacement time in the majors, but will never get a strong opportunity here.  He realistically needs to go somewhere else for a new start.  (Let the Brent Rooker comparison comments commence)

[stringer bell]

40 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Who is the next man up? McCusker? I like Keirsey as AAA depth but putting him on the 26-man roster with little behind him in the minors could kill their season. They played 10 different people in the outfield last season. Buxton will miss 60-80 games. Kepler, Kirilloff and Margot are gone and they played 291 games between them. Castro is needed more in the infield with Farmer gone. There are 350-400 games at OF/DH left to cover between Rodriguez, Martin, Keirsey Jr and Helman. It would be great to find someone better than Martin to give 120 of those games.

If the Twins don't acquire major league talent by trade or free agency, one of Helman, Martin or Keirsey will probably start the season in St. Paul and would be next man up. Rodriguez might also be in consideration for promotion pretty early in the season, but he's another left handed hitter. 

[Rod Carews Birthday]

The Twins, who have much more information than we do, appear to not think much of Keirsey, Jr.  I think they are right in that he may not have a “trajectory” to become a star (or even a full-time starter), but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t be useful to their current situation (it’s too bad that he doesn’t bat RH!).  He’s a guy that you have no worries about defensively in CF, and by extension any OF position.  He may or may not hit well enough, but there isn’t anything in his minor league stats to say that he will be terrible — and if he is, you send him down.  

Here’s the hidden value though — let Keirsey, Jr. start the season as the 4th OF.  Give him some at bats spelling Buxton and the other guys (less often).  Unless he is absolutely awful, and remember the measuring stick is Manny Margot, he can hold down the spot until you think ERod is ready to go and past the cutoff to get another year of control.  Then, you either send Keirsey, Jr. back down, or you trade him for some actual value.  Investment is $0 and you potentially get a flyer back in a trade later in the season for a guy that you weren’t sold on anyway.  

Give the man a chance!  

[Mike Sixel]

1 hour ago, nicksaviking said:

They don't have to believe in him, they just have to realize he has a quality that the 2025 version of Manny Margot does not; options.

If Keirsey flops, no big deal, send him down and try the next man up. If Margot flops? Sigh, it's going to be a long year.

This. They aren't winning squat by adding below average veterans. If that's the limit, give the youth a shot. 

[LA Vikes Fan]

1 hour ago, stringer bell said:

So maybe Keirsey is ideal as Buxton's backup. We do know that Buxton won't play every day, even if healthy. Having a guy (Keirsey) who you don't worry about rusting on the bench to fill in for the 20% of games when Buck is rested is good. Plus Keirsey can pinch run and be used as a defensive replacement for one of the many slow guys who will be starting for the Twins.

I agree here. Keirsey doesn't have to be the 4th OF - that should be a RH hitter who plays in the corners platooning with Larnach. Keirsey is the 5th OF, backs up Buxton in CF and fills in the corners as needed for injury or rest. I see him playing 2 days a week in CF, with Buxton out there 4 days a week and at DH a day a week. Given Keirsey has options and the state of the payroll, he's the logical choice for that role. The Twins then can and should look at a Grichuk, Canha, and similar guys as the 4th OF. Martin belongs in AAA playing on the OF every day as an injury back up trying to prove he can hold down a defensive position and working on his offensive game.   

[NYCTK]

I feel really bad for Keirsey. Last year was his chance and for some reason his bosses gave the opportunities to terrible baseball players Margot and Martin instead.

Seriously, those two pure junk players got 600 Plate Appearances while Keirsey got 14? No wonder the team stunk to high heavens. 

He could get more chances but last season and his age suggests he won't. 

[NYCTK]

18 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

This. They aren't winning squat by adding below average veterans. If that's the limit, give the youth a shot. 

The Twins trading for Margot just showed their front office doesn't even know how to build a roster. Adding an OF that can't hit or play OF and with no options. Great job guys. 

[D.C Twins]

1 hour ago, nicksaviking said:

They don't have to believe in him, they just have to realize he has a quality that the 2025 version of Manny Margot does not; options.

If Keirsey flops, no big deal, send him down and try the next man up. If Margot flops? Sigh, it's going to be a long year.

This.... this...aaaaaaaaaand.... THIS!

Also, with the budget constraints this year... it is such an easy decision to roll with Keirsey as the CF back up/4-5 outfielder.... 

[DocBauer]

 

I'm not a drum beater for Keirsey and Helman and have some sort of belief that both are going to be major assets for the Twins. I'd love a $150-160M budget...where we should be...and make some moves that help and deepen the club. But we're looking at $130-135M this year and we're basically there already. And the last thing the Twins should do is move someone just to be able to add fringe type FA. Especially when they might have a league minimum player(s) on hand who might fit those roles. 

Sorry if I'm repeating myself from a previous post, but BOTH Keirsey and Helman were drafted and developed by the current FO, 4th and 11th rounds respectively. Both had a good short season debut, a bad year, a lost year, and then started to figure it out. They've both had a 3 year .800+ OPS coming in to 2025. No, they aren't proven by any means, but they haven't been given a shot yet. Why on earth would we want or need to spend $ on another Garlick or Margot who can't play defense, can't run, and can't do anything other than hit LH pitching a little bit. 

Keirsey is LH and that's an issue? Why? 75% of pitching is RH. Buxton, with hopes, will play 110-120 games, most of them in CF, but probably less. He can also be a PR, providing speed off the bench the Twins currently lack. He can also provide late game defense in the corners if wanted/needed.

Depth if he doesn't do well? Helman, who fits just about everything I've said previously, but as a RH hitter, who can also play across the INF. Plus, there's some hope Martin's bat and glove will improve some and there's additional depth. And how about Emmanuel Rodriguez being ready at some point?

I just don't understand trying to shuffle the roster to free up an additional couple bucks to add a poor hitting "veteran" OF for a cash strapped team when you might have a bench option on hand, and one of your top prospects almost ready who plays the same spot. 

NOW, if the Twins can indeed come up with some extra $ through a move or two, and you can find a good value RH CORNER OF who can also hit RH arms decently...discussed recently in another OP...and work with Wallner and Larnach and DH some, that's  a different arguement. 

But with Keirsey on hand, Rodriguez on rapid rise, and Helman and Martin and Castro all as at least fill in options, I think sticking with what's on hand is the smart move. 

What I don't understand is not letting Keirsey and Helman get an opportunity in 2024 when injuries hit, and Martin and Margot performed so poorly.