Projecting the 2028 Twins Lineup

[Cody Christie]

The Twins are in an intriguing opportunity space this offseason, with a veteran core and young talent emerging in the high minors. What could the team’s lineup look like in 2028?

Image courtesy of © Orlando Ramirez-USA Today Sports

The Twins roster disappointed in 2024, but gave opportunities for young players to get their feet wet at the big-league level. Many of the team’s top-ranked prospects played in the high minors last season, so there’s a chance for even more young talent to impact the team next year. The future is full of promise, but there is still development that must happen from key players. Below, you will see Minnesota’s projected lineup and each player’s age during the 2028 campaign.

Catcher: Ryan Jeffers (31)
Jeffers is coming off a season wherein he played a career-high 122 games, while hitting .226/.300/.432 with a 103 OPS+. Fans know his totals don’t tell the story of his full season. He destroyed the ball in the season’s first two months with a .892 OPS and 26 extra-base hits in his first 51 games. His OPS dipped to .687 in June and July, however, before he reemerged with a .926 OPS in August. Then he ended the year with his worst month (.463 OPS). Jeffers needs to find more consistency at the plate so the team can invest in him long-term. He is only under team control for the next two seasons, so the Twins must extend him before 2028. Other catching options in the organization include Jair Camargo, Ricardo Olivar, and others in the lower minors. 

First Base: Luke Keaschall (25)
Keaschall emerged as one of the organization’s top prospects in 2024, despite playing through an elbow injury that led to Tommy John surgery. In 102 games, he hit .303/.420/.483, with 21 doubles and 15 home runs. Defensively, the Twins had to manage where he played on the field because of his elbow issues. This injury might have been a blessing in disguise, as he was exposed to some positions he hadn’t played regularly, including first base. The Twins value defensive flexibility, so Keaschall won’t be locked into one position. However, first base could be his long-term spot with the players in the team’s long-term plans. The Twins expect Keaschall to be ready for spring training, and he should debut at some point in 2025. 

Second Base: Royce Lewis (29)
The Twins started to get Lewis some reps at second base last season and he is expected to get more time at the position in the coming years. Lewis started the year with a bang with a home run on Opening Day, but he left that game in the third inning with a right quad injury. When he returned, he struggled for the first time in his career, including a .620 OPS in the second half. Minnesota still believes in Lewis as part of the team’s long-term core, but injuries have clearly impeded his development at the big-league level. Lewis will be in his final year of team control in 2028, so it will be interesting to see how he continues to develop and how much he will earn through arbitration. 

Third Base: Brooks Lee (27)
Lee was ranked as one of the team’s top prospects before making his big-league debut last season. He dealt with multiple injuries, including shoulder soreness that led to an IL stint in August due to bicep tendonitis. He was known for his strong offensive approach in the minors, including an .841 OPS in nearly 200 games. Those offensive numbers didn’t follow him to the big-league level, though, as he hit .221/.265/.320 with 10 extra-base hits in 50 games. Some of his struggles could have been tied to his injury issues, but his track record in the minors points to him being an above-average hitter at the big-league level. Lee seems like a prime candidate for the team’s long-term solution at third base, with solid instincts, good hands, and a strong arm. 

Shortstop: Carlos Correa (33)
The 2028 season will be Correa’s final guaranteed year on his contract, with the 2029-32 seasons being team options. Correa’s ongoing issues with plantar fasciitis could make it tough to stick at shortstop when he is 33 years old. Minnesota could switch Correa to third base and Lee to shortstop by 2028 if Correa has lost a step. In 2024, Correa showed he could continue to handle shortstop while providing tremendous offensive value. He hit .308/.377/.520, with 31 extra-base hits in 75 games, and he was selected to his first All-Star Game with the Twins. A full season of Correa playing at that level would put him in the AL MVP conversation. This winter, there has been some conversation about the Twins listening to trade offers for Correa, but the Twins value what he brings to the team, and he has a full no-trade clause, making it likely that he will be around in 2028. 

Left Field: Emmanuel Rodriguez (25)
Rodriguez finished the 2024 season at Triple A, despite being limited to 37 games at Double A because of a thumb injury that led to offseason surgery. He continues to be electric when he is on the field, with an extremely patient approach at the plate and strong defensive ability at multiple outfield positions. In 47 games, he hit .280/.459/.567 with 25 extra-base hits and a 62-to-51 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Rodriguez has played a lot of center field during his professional career, so there is a chance that he will stick at that position over some of the organization’s other options. He will begin the 2025 season at Triple A, and there is a strong chance the Twins will need him early in the season. 

Center Field: Walker Jenkins (23)
Jenkins is one of the top prospects in Twins history, which puts him in the same territory as Joe Mauer and Byron Buxton. Scouts rave about his advanced hit tool, left-handed power, and all-around athleticism. In 2024, he hit .282/.394/.439, with 32 extra-base hits in 82 games while making it from Low A to Double A. The only thing to slow him down during the 2024 campaign was a leg injury suffered on defense in his first game of the season. He and Rodriguez both have a chance to stick in center field, but Jenkins is younger, so he might have a slight advantage in 2028. Realistically, the Twins will be satisfied with whatever position he is playing, but his career should start in center. There is a chance he debuts during the 2025 campaign, while only being 20 years old.

Right Field: Matt Wallner (30)
Wallner’s 2024 season started disastrously, as he went 2-for-25 with 17 strikeouts in his first 33 plate appearances. The Twins sent him to Triple A to reset his swing, and he returned to the big leagues with renewed energy. After doing so, he hit .282/.386/.559 with 16 doubles and 12 home runs in 62 games. Max Kepler’s departure in right field gives Wallner a defensive home where his elite throwing arm can be a weapon. There will be some streakiness with a power hitter like Wallner, but he has shown the ability to refine his swing. Wallner will go through tough stretches, but his elite power-hitting ability can make him a strong complementary player for the team over the next half-decade. 

Designated Hitter: Byron Buxton (34)
Like Correa, Buxton will enter the 2028 season as the last with guaranteed money on his extension. He is coming off a season in which he played over 100 games for only the second time in his big-league career. He also returned to center field for 94 games, after not playing an inning in the outfield in 2023. Offensively, he hit .279/.335/.524 with a 137 OPS+ that ranked among the league’s best center fielders. Buxton proved some of his doubters wrong last season by providing the Twins with excess value, even with some time missed due to injury. As Buxton starts to lose a step, Minnesota will have young options to fill the outfield. He could split time in a corner outfield spot. He’s also entering an offseason healthy for the first time in six years, which can help his performance next season. 

A lot can happen between now and 2028, but the Twins have the right combination of star players, complimentary veterans, and emerging prospects. Who do you think fits into the team’s 2028 lineup? Leave a comment and start the discussion. 

PREVIOUS YEARS' PREDICTIONS
— 2025 Lineup
— 2026 Lineup
— 2027 Lineup

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[Cory Engelhardt]

These lists are always fun. That said, I wouldn't be shocked if at least one of these players was traded even this offseason. 

If I put the over/under at 1.5, what would anyone guess as far as how many players JUST on this roster/list are traded before opening day 2025?

[tony&rodney]

9 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

If I put the over/under at 1.5, what would anyone guess as far as how many players JUST on this roster/list are traded before opening day 2025?

Falvey has been uber conservative when it comes to trading his boys. So I'm guessing zero names from this list are moved in deals.  I'm actually worried that the Twins could be talked into trading Luke Keaschall for nothing. I would trade three to four from this list for the right return.

[LambchoP]

If the Twins really view Brooks Lee as our third baseman, then they should just move him there full time and designate Royce Lewis as our first baseman. Correa is our SS for the foreseeable future which only leaves second base. Keaschal, Eeles and Castro along with Julien could all compete for the starting job there 

[bean5302]

Jeffers and Lewis will be free agents in 2027 and 2028, respectively. Buxton will probably be traded in the 2026-2027 offseason since his full NTC drops after 2026.

Predicting 2028 is just guessing. There will be better players drafted in 2025 who'll be in the opening day lineup for the team in 2028. Many prospects don't go on to have a good MLB career. Keaschall, Jenkins and Emma all being a success story is highly improbable.

[chpettit19]

These are fun exercises, but this is a tough time to be predicting the Twins future. The Twins future ownership is in question which puts the future FO in question which puts the future roster in question. The Twins have a number of players whose contracts will be up before the 2028 season so you're expecting extensions, and they have a number of expensive veterans during a questionable payroll time so you're expecting them to not be traded. I enjoy looking ahead and seeing what things could be like in the future, but this is a real tough year to be predicting.

I'd guess:
C: Not in the system currently
1B: Not in the system currently
2B: Eeles
3B: Lewis
SS: Not in the system currently
LF: Jenkins
CF: Emma
RF: Wallner
DH/Utility: Keaschall

[CRF]

To be honest...I'm not particularly concerned with something I might not even be around to see. 2025's team is as far ahead as I can look, and I sure hope I get to see that one. If I make it that long, talk to me about 2028's team...in December of 2027. 

[Nashvilletwin]

2028?   Why not September 2025? Or Opening Day 2026 at the latest? 

[gman]

I hope the players listed play well enough over the next few years for your projected lineup to be accurate. However, I think if a new owner is not found by next winter, than both Buxton and Correa will probably be gone before 2026 and certainly by 2028.

If we don't find new team financing then we will be running on a Tampa Bay model. When a player gets close to free agency, then they automatically get traded. In other words we will be provided the best players to the 4 or 5 richest teams.

[Rosterman]

If Correa is still with the Twins, he will be at third and Lee at shortstop. Shows the Twins really don'tnt need to make any major signs. The bench can fill in with what they have in the system alredy.

 

Plus the Twins should still have their current rotation arms around for that season plus!

[old nurse]

9 hours ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

These lists are always fun. That said, I wouldn't be shocked if at least one of these players was traded even this offseason. 

If I put the over/under at 1.5, what would anyone guess as far as how many players JUST on this roster/list are traded before opening day 2025?

Opening day  25 would be the under. By opening day 28 I would say half will not be here if the club is sold 

[RpR]

Gone from current in 2028:

Lee

Lewis

Martin

Julien

Vazquez

jeffers

Larnach

Camargo

[tony&rodney]

2028 is so far away.

[TopGunn#22]

2028 is a long ways away, but this is how Cody wrote it up so here's my 2-cents worth.  I'm going to stick with the majority of his projections but will allow for some of the positional flexibility for several guys.  Lets start out with catcher...

                                AGE

C:   Dalton Rushing    27    acquired in a trade with the Dodgers. Jeffers & Vasquez long gone.

1B  Royce Lewis         29     He will hit and stay relatively healthy.  And settle in at 1B.

2B  Luke Keashcall    25     His elbow will be fine and he will make a better 2B than Lewis.

3B   Brooks Lee         27      He could also be at SS if Correa continues to battle foot problems.

SS  Carlos Correa      33      At 33 he's still young and athletic enough to play SS.  Unless he's not.

LF   E-Rod                  25    Could also be in CF as well. He and Walker Jenkins in the OF is "EXCITING."

CF   Walker Jenkins  23       Jenkins will still be in CF unless a Jarren Duran type of CF is drafted.

RF   Matt Wallner     30       Big Matt will be in RF mashing HR's for the Twins and hitting 6th.

DH   ????                              I think Byron Buxton will be gone by this time, but if he's he's not he makes a good DH/4th OF kind of guy.  At 34 years old Buxton will have lost a step, but he would still be pretty fast.  And as a RH hitting 4th outfielder he could rotate easily with the "all LH hitting" OF of Jenkins, Wallner and E-Rod.  In fact, you could make a case that Wallner would be the primary DH and that Buxton would still be a regular, perhaps playing LF on an everyday basis with Wallner filling in at either corner and Buxton playing occasionally in CF to provide a rest day for E-Rod or Jenkins while one of them DH's.  

What you cannot project with this type of exercise is who the Twins could end up drafting in 2025 and 2026 who could elbow their way into the OF mix.  I think either Jenkins or E-Rod would be fine in CF.  But like I said, if a LH hitting or RH hitting Jarren Duran type tore up for the Twins in the minor leagues and projected as the proverbial "pure CF" then E-Rod and Jenkins would make for a very athletic duo of corner OF's.  And Wallner, if he's mashing HR's from 2025 thru 2027 would seem to be someone else still in the mix.  

[saviking]

These are supposed to be out with the old and in with the new. I'd leave Correa and Buxton out ..