Minnesota Twins 2025 Position Analysis: First Base

[Nick Nelson]

Who's on first? Yeah, we all know the gag. But for the Twins this year, it's no laughing matter.

Image courtesy of Chris Tilley and Jonah Hinebaugh, via Imagn Images

One year ago, the roadmap at first base for the Twins looked like this: Hope Carlos Santana can hold it down as a stopgap before Alex Kirilloff finally rounds into form and takes over the position moving forward. Santana and Kirilloff combined to start all but 12 games at first base for Minnesota in 2024.

Well, here in 2025, Santana has moved on as a free agent and Kirilloff has retired. The Twins were left with more or less a blank slate at first base, and now they'll look to color it in using a collection of flawed but capable candidates. No position on the Twins roster has less clarity, now or looking ahead.

TWINS FIRST BASEMEN AT A GLANCE

Starter: Ty France
Backup: José Miranda
Depth: Edouard Julien, Willi Castro, Mickey Gasper, Mike Ford (NRI)
Prospects: Aaron Sabato, Yunior Severino

Twins fWAR Ranking Last Year: 5th out of 30
Twins fWAR Projection This Year: 22nd out of 30

THE GOOD
If we take it back to mid-summer of 2022, this first base mix for the Twins looks outstanding. José Miranda was dazzling during his major-league debut, flashing all of the offensive skills that fueled his breakout in the minors. Meanwhile, in Seattle, Ty France was headed for his first career All-Star appearance following a stellar first half for the Mariners. These certainly looked like the kinds of high-caliber right-handed bats you want at an offense-first position.

I recognize that "These guys were good three years ago" is a less than ideal way to set up the optimistic side of this position preview, but that's where we are at. And also, there have been some positive signs for both players since 2022, so let's focus on those.

There were points last year where Miranda and France both looked like legit offensive pieces. Twins fans will recall the scorching hot stretch Miranda enjoyed in July, lifting his OPS to .900 before a steep drop-off in the second half. France had his OPS at a respectable .732 before getting hit by a pitch that fractured his heel in early June. 

 

The Twins have signaled that they are viewing France as their likely first base starter out of the gates, but given his recent track record and contract (one year, $1 million, non-guaranteed), it seems clear the 30-year-old is more placeholder than remotely permanent solution. If he can put up the average-ish production we saw from him in 2023 (101 OPS+, 1.2 fWAR), France can be a fine stopgap, and in light of the alternatives, Minnesota will take his experience (4,500 career innings logged at first base). 

 

This position, however, is Miranda's to claim. Assuming he's on the roster to start the season, my presumption is that he will mix in at both infield corners and DH early on. If he can show enough with the bat while proving viable defensively at first base, he'll surely take the reins from France at some point and will have a chance to set up shop at the position for years.

Still just 26 years old and now with more than 1,000 major-league plate appearances under his belt, it's go time for Miranda. He's been an above-average hitter overall (105 career OPS+) and at times he has flashed really special ability, but Miranda hasn't been able to harness it consistently over time; there are questions about whether he can overcome shoulder and back issues that have plagued him. 

It's all in front of him right now. While Minnesota's lack of compelling contingency options at first base is somewhat disconcerting, there is a level of excitement in the door being wide open for Miranda, with nothing really standing in his way of a full-time gig if he can lock in.

THE BAD
There is a lot of downside at this position for the Twins. Neither France nor Miranda hit in the second half last year, and both of their performances were hard to shrug off. The slow-footed France appears to be in decline at age 30, with his OPS dropping in four straight seasons. The contract he ended up with speaks for itself. Miranda's aggressive approach has been exploitable, and he has been dealing with those nagging, concerning injuries.

Despite these question marks, the first base depth behind Minnesota's shaky starter candidates is borderline non-existent.

Edouard Julien has been mentioned several times by team officials as a candidate, despite Rocco Baldelli showing little inclination to use Julien at first base at any point. The manager has mentioned Willi Castro as a potential option at the position, which happens to be the only one that Castro has never played in the majors. Mike Ford, who battled France for playing time in Seattle a couple years ago, is in camp as a non-roster invite after a stint in Japan.

The top prospects at the position aren't really prospects anymore — Aaron Sabato and Yunior Severino are more organizational filler by now. If the future isn't Miranda, then it's anybody's guess who it might be; probably someone who currently isn't playing first base but is at risk of sliding down the defensive spectrum. Royce Lewis comes to mind.

For 2025, the bigger concern than offense at first base might be defense. France rated as one of the league's worst fielders last year. Miranda has looked rough in his limited opportunities at the position. Julien and Castro have basically zero experience there. 

Although playing first base is "not that hard" according to Billy Beane (Ron Washington disagrees), it is a position where reps matter. Reading the ball off the bat, mastering the footwork, measuring and snaring a short-hop scoop — these skills can be learned by a good ballplayer, but they do take seasoning. The only experienced MLB first basemen in Minnesota's mix are France and Ford, both of whom might be better suited for DH.

The drop-off from Gold Glove winner Carlos Santana will be steep. How steep?

THE BOTTOM LINE
Of all the positions to have mired in uncertainty, first base is the least bad. Players move here from other spots and do fine. We've seen it time and again in recent Twins history: Joe Mauer, Miguel Sano, Luis Arraez. Maybe Miranda will be next in line, after breaking into the majors as a third baseman. The opportunity is there for the taking.

If Miranda can't seize the moment — if he, erm, throws away his shot — then the Twins will need to hope France still has some life in him. Or else they'll need someone else to accelerate their own transition from another position. Because as we head into 2025, the organization is as light on clear-cut first base talent as I can ever remember.

Share your thoughts on the first base outlook below and check out the rest of our Position Analysis series:

• Twins 2025 Position Analysis: Catcher

View full article

[Karbo]

I think 1st base is the eventual landing spot for Lewis. If Lee starts hitting he can shift to 3rd, and at some point, Keaschall can take 2nd. Probably not this season, but in the not too distant future.

[Cory Engelhardt]

If things aren't going swimmingly there through the first 3 months of the season or so, I have to imagine that 1B could be an easy target for a trade addition prior to the July deadline. Don't know who that means, but a starter quality 1B should be easier to acquire than some other positions. 

Here's hoping that they have enough quality at 1B, and keep the remainder of the team healthy, for as long as possible.

[mikelink45]

Looking at the rank - expected to be 22/30 looks really bad.  I agree with Washington - 1B is under rated.  Players with a glove like Hernandez (the best) of even Hrbek make a difference. What player other than catcher handles the ball more than 1B?  1/3 of the batters are left handed - making the right side of the diamond important and " The league average batted ball distribution in 2019 was 21.4% line drives, 42.9% ground balls, and 35.7% fly balls. The 2020 season saw virtually identical numbers: 21.6 LD%, 42.7 GB%, and 35.7 FB%" according to Rotoball. Which means the 1B most likely touches the ball on 43% of hit balls - not counting possible line drives caught or holding the batter or popups (10%).

I hope for the best and hope Miranda steps forward.

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

Oofda!

Not good on paper.

Perhaps that's where Lewis eventually winds up and holds the position down for the next decade or so. But until then, I'm hoping Miranda wins the job and plays well. Definitely surprised that France would be announced as the starter so early on in camp.

 

[Fatbat]

Preseason rank of 22 should be easy to improve on IF France and Miranda stay healthy.  We all know France was an Allstar and Miranda can be incredible when he is healthy. 
The downside is all about injury. No Injury, they both ops+ about 120 over the season.  That takes care of 1B for 2025. Someday, someone will seize the position for several years. Right now we have 2 plausible options. Hopefully thats the only depth we need over 162+ games. 

[chpettit19]

I'm not all that worried about 1B. If Miranda can stay healthy I think he hits. He's hit very well in the majors whenever he's healthy. Whether or not he can stay healthy is my only concern for him (super weird on this roster, I know). I really liked France a couple years ago and actually stated on this very site that I thought the Twins should go get him last year as a good bounce back candidate. He didn't bounce back. Was it just the heal or is he truly in decline? I don't like the low value veteran contracts the Twins hand out as a core part of their team building strategy, but if France can bounce back some he's a decent enough player with a ceiling of really good bat if he totally comes back. Wouldn't bet on that, but the possibility is there.

As for the other options/prospects, pick a player. They're all options. It's the bottom of the defensive spectrum. No, I'm not saying that that means it doesn't matter or defense doesn't matter or that it's super easy to be good there or whatever, but it is the easiest defensive position to fill. Meaning you need the least amount of athletic ability/tools to fill it. You don't need to be fast or have a good arm or any of the stuff you need (or at least really want) at the other positions. I don't like the idea of Lewis moving over there at all. Waste of his athleticism and arm (just fix his throwing motion and get him more accurate with his throws). Don't like Keaschall, Castro, Correa, Buxton, Emma, Jenkins, etc. types there either. Waste of all their athleticism and skills. But pick any of our many questionable defenders and put them there. Larnach or Wallner or Julien, anyone. And if you've filled the other 6 spots (non-catchers) with the athletic types with good arms then put the 7th athletic guy at 1B.

Not having a big time 1B prospect isn't terrible. It generally just means you don't have a guy with a huge bat and no real defensive skills (or he's a slow lefty thrower you don't want in the OF). The Twins have some big bat prospects that could be plopped there if they wanted to, but, despite the cries of mismanagement on this site, moving guys down the spectrum as they advance through the system and the needs of your team change and their ability to field other spots becomes more clear is what every MLB team does because it's the smart thing to do. Maybe Kala'i Rosario or Rayne Doncon or Billy Amick or Gabriel Gonzalez have things click with their bats and are the 1B of the future because they aren't good enough defenders elsewhere to beat out the other guys on the depth chart. Every prospect that can hit is a 1B prospect.

[jorgenswest]

1 hour ago, Nick Nelson said:

Although playing first base is "not that hard" according to Billy Beane (Ron Washington disagrees), it is a position where reps matter.

It does take some ability. It takes good feet and good hands to play first base. Hatteberg was a catcher. A catcher needs good hands, good feet and a good arm. After Hatteberg hurt his arm he still had the feet and hands. He still needed lots of reps but he brought some ability with his hands and feet.

[Linus]

12 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

I'm not all that worried about 1B. If Miranda can stay healthy I think he hits. He's hit very well in the majors whenever he's healthy. Whether or not he can stay healthy is my only concern for him (super weird on this roster, I know). I really liked France a couple years ago and actually stated on this very site that I thought the Twins should go get him last year as a good bounce back candidate. He didn't bounce back. Was it just the heal or is he truly in decline? I don't like the low value veteran contracts the Twins hand out as a core part of their team building strategy, but if France can bounce back some he's a decent enough player with a ceiling of really good bat if he totally comes back. Wouldn't bet on that, but the possibility is there.

As for the other options/prospects, pick a player. They're all options. It's the bottom of the defensive spectrum. No, I'm not saying that that means it doesn't matter or defense doesn't matter or that it's super easy to be good there or whatever, but it is the easiest defensive position to fill. Meaning you need the least amount of athletic ability/tools to fill it. You don't need to be fast or have a good arm or any of the stuff you need (or at least really want) at the other positions. I don't like the idea of Lewis moving over there at all. Waste of his athleticism and arm (just fix his throwing motion and get him more accurate with his throws). Don't like Keaschall, Castro, Correa, Buxton, Emma, Jenkins, etc. types there either. Waste of all their athleticism and skills. But pick any of our many questionable defenders and put them there. Larnach or Wallner or Julien, anyone. And if you've filled the other 7 spots (non-catchers) with the athletic types with good arms then put the 8th athletic guy at 1B.

Not having a big time 1B prospect isn't terrible. It generally just means you don't have a guy with a huge bat and no real defensive skills (or he's a slow lefty thrower you don't want in the OF). The Twins have some big bat prospects that could be plopped there if they wanted to, but, despite the cries of mismanagement on this site, moving guys down the spectrum as they advance through the system and the needs of your team change and their ability to field other spots becomes more clear is what every MLB team does because it's the smart thing to do. Maybe Kala'i Rosario or Rayne Doncon or Billy Amick or Gabriel Gonzalez have things click with their bats and are the 1B of the future because they aren't good enough defenders elsewhere to beat out the other guys on the depth chart. Every prospect that can hit is a 1B prospect.

Total agreement.  This rush to move athletic guys to first is asset mismanagement.  The current problem is we need to develop another couple bats so there is somebody to move there is Miranda somehow fails.

[rdehring]

Yes, NIck, good question.  Expect it will be answered in spring training.  Or not.  Have thought for some time the biggest need the Twins had was a young catcher who would grow into #2 or #1A. 

Beginning to think that a young first baseman who can hit and play good D may be the new #1.

[jorgenswest]

25 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

But pick any of our many questionable defenders and put them there. Larnach or Wallner or Julien, anyone.

I don’t believe it is a position any major leaguer can play. I think most infielders and catchers bring passable ability with their hands and feet to play 1B so maybe Julien can play passably there. I don’t know if Larnach or Wallner have the necessary tools to play a passable 1B. For some reason they made it through college and the minors without ever getting time at the position. This is a position in which their minor league managers often played 8 or 9 guys over the season. Failing to give Larnach and Wallner a look there could not have been an oversight.

[hitterscount]

The defensive end, or lack of, will cost the team outs and runs.  The offense France and Miranda brings won’t offset the above. A 1-year Rizzo deal might have been the way to go as much as hated it when brought up earlier hear. 

[tony&rodney]

Well, I sure hope something works out because the options are either Miranda hits a ton or the Twins are below mediocre at first base. First base is down the defensive spectrum precisely because arm, level of range, and expected athleticism is less necessary. However, footwork and good hands along with quick decision making is important. Yesterday we saw a play that may be reflective of how the Twins run cutoffs or just a mistake. A base hit to left field with the runner coming home. On the play the third baseman immediately went to a cut position as opposed to the first baseman getting there. It looked intentional. There was no way for the shortstop to beat the runner to third base and get in position to take a throw so the left fielder threw to the plate and both runners moved up. Looks like a gaff by LF but I'm marking that down to the 3B/1B decision. Can't throw to third when no one is there. An experienced good outfielder just lobs it in to second base. The Twins are pretty specific in their designs and choose their players, thus the apparent weakness at first base seems like a natural conclusion. Miranda could save the day by hitting .300.

[arby58]

1 hour ago, Karbo said:

I think 1st base is the eventual landing spot for Lewis. 

I've thought that as well. He's certainly athletic enough for the position. Throws from third have been more of a problem than fielding, and at 6'2" Royce will have pretty good reach. You'd wish he was a left-handed thrower, but nothing's perfect.

[chpettit19]

8 minutes ago, jorgenswest said:

I don’t believe it is a position any major leaguer can play. I think most infielders and catchers bring passable ability with their hands and feet to play 1B so maybe Julien can play passably there. I don’t know if Larnach or Wallner have the necessary tools to play a passable 1B. For some reason they made it through college and the minors without ever getting time at the position. This is a position in which their minor league managers often played 8 or 9 guys over the season. Failing to give Larnach and Wallner a look there could not have been an oversight.

Who were the 8 or 9 guys that played there? Minor league filler? Even worse defenders than Larnach and Wallner? Larnach and Wallner were high picks and were going to get every opportunity to earn a job in the Twins outfield. People complain nonstop here that the Twins need to put guys in the position they're going to play in the majors and let them perfect it. That's what the Twins did with these 2. And it's what they should have done as the Twins outfield has had openings for years and getting these guys prepared to fill them was the obvious decision.

But when the landscape of the team changes players need to move. It happens all the time. Go look at the Padres' starting lineup and see how many guys changed positions in the majors. Shoot, their starting CFer had never played off the dirt until spring training last year and they handed him an opening day job as a 20-year-old in a new position. The Twins didn't need to move Larnach and Wallner in the minors, but if/when Emma and Jenkins (and even Keashall is an OF possibility) arrive Larnach and Wallner may not be the best options at their positions and they'd have to move. Fernando Tatis Jr moved from SS to RF in the majors despite never having played the OF in his minor league career. Miguel Cabrera and Albert Pujols came up as LFers and got moved around to multiple positions (RF, 3B, and 1B) as young players before moving over to 1B permanently. Mookie Betts played 36 innings in RF in AAA before moving to RF at the major league level because of the makeup of the Red Sox (he wasn't displacing Pedroia at 2B). 

I don't know if Julien, Larnach, Wallner, or any of the minor league guys I named can be studs, average, passable, or what at 1B, but 1B has long been the dumping ground for slow defenders with big bats that get pushed out of corner OF spots. MLB players get moved onto and off the dirt all the time. Including some of the biggest stars the game as ever seen. Bryce Harper moved from RF to 1B. Spencer Steer has moved all over for Cinci, including 1B despite just 17 innings there in the minors. 

Moving random guys to 1B is something every team does. And have been doing forever. Moving players around as needed to give them the best team they can is something every team does. And have been doing forever. Larnach and Wallner are athletic dudes. I'd bet they can learn to play 1B at a passable level.

[Mike Sixel]

And here I was called names by someone for saying they chose France over Miranda. But that poster called me makes before too....

This is a play with little upside. It's not what I would do. But alas.

[jorgenswest]

3 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Who were the 8 or 9 guys that played there? Minor league filler? Even worse defenders than Larnach and Wallner? Larnach and Wallner were high picks and were going to get every opportunity to earn a job in the Twins outfield.

When Larnach was in AA Pensacola in 2019 the Twins played Kirilloff some at 1B though he played more in the outfield. Pensacola played 9 players at 1B that year. Four of them have played in the majors. The 2021 Saints used 11 players at 1B. Eight have them have played in the majors. Larnach didn’t get a single game at 1B either year. Why?

While I believe most major leaguers have tools to play 1B, there have been enough mediocre corner outfielder that have never put on a first base glove to lead me to believe that not everyone can play a passable 1B. It is possible to be a slow defender with a big bat and still have soft hands. I don’t agree at all with your choice of “dumping grounds”. I have too much respect for anyone who has made their way to the majors to characterize any role on the team as a dumping ground. 

[jorgenswest]

31 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Miguel Cabrera and Albert Pujols came up as LFers and got moved around to multiple positions (RF, 3B, and 1B) as young players before moving over to 1B permanently.

Cabrera began his career in the minors as a SS and moved to 3B and then the outfield. Pujols played 3B in the minors almost exclusively.

I need to be more clear. I wonder about a player who played exclusively corner outfield in college and the minors was never given a game at first base. My conclusion is that there are some tools necessary to play a passable major league 1B and not every player possesses those tools.

[chpettit19]

5 minutes ago, jorgenswest said:

When Larnach was in AA Pensacola in 2019 the Twins played Kirilloff some at 1B though he played more in the outfield. Pensacola played 9 players at 1B that year. Four of them have played in the majors. The 2021 Saints used 11 players at 1B. Eight have them have played in the majors. Larnach didn’t get a single game at 1B either year. Why?

While I believe most major leaguers have tools to play 1B, there have been enough mediocre corner outfielder that have never put on a first base glove to lead me to believe that not everyone can play a passable 1B. It is possible to be a slow defender with a big bat and still have soft hands. I don’t agree at all with your choice of “dumping grounds”. I have too much respect for anyone who has made their way to the majors to characterize any role on the team as a dumping ground. 

Who are the players? Kirilloff from the day he was drafted had most scouts and analysts saying he'd be an above average, maybe even gold glove, 1B if they'd put him there. But the Twins had holes in the OF so they bounced him back and forth. Who were the other players? Played in the majors where? 1B? Were they 30-year-old journeymen who weren't ever going to be a real part of the Twins? 

Tomas Telis, Damek Tomscha, Sherman Johnson, Jose Miranda, Roberto Pena, Willians Astudillo, Zander Wiel, Caleb Hamilton, Travis Blankenhorn, Brent Rooker, Ryan Jeffers. Those are the 11 guys who played 1B for the Saints in 2021. "Eight played in the majors" is missing all the important context. Jeffers is a catcher who was getting extra ABs by playing some 1B because he wasn't going to catch everyday. Rooker is a worse defender than Larnach or Wallner and they were trying to find any place he could play on the field. Blankenhorn is a utility player who only played in the majors because he was a utility guy. Same with Willians. Miranda was a corner IFer so, yeah, he played a lot at 1B. Telis was a catcher/1B trying to claw his way back to the bigs. 

Outside of Miranda, Jeffers, and Rooker none of those guys were players with any real chance of being part of the Twins future. Miranda was a corner IFer, Jeffers was a catcher, and Rooker was the least good cOFer between him, Larnach, and Wallner. That's why they didn't play 1B. 

I never said everyone can play a passable 1B. In fact, I said I didn't know if they could, but plenty of guys get placed there. I didn't mean "dumping grounds" as some sort of disrespectful statement, and I think you know that. Pujols and Cabrera are 1st ballot Hall of Famers who got dumped at 1B because they weren't the best options for their teams at other positions. I listed them and called them "some of the biggest stars the game has ever seen." But 1B is the bottom of the defensive spectrum and it's where teams dump guys who get pushed off other spots by better fielders. 

[PatPfund]

As the OP said, it is pretty much about health. Even if Miranda (best option now and in the future) and France (glorified try-out, and best case shines for us and is traded/signed elsewhere by next year) hit, there should be options. As @chpettit19 points out, we have a couple corner OFs who both hit from the other side of Miranda and France, certainly have the height to make a great target, and wield 1B-caliber bats.

We also have an MLB Top Twenty 20 prospect already on the 40-man that plays OF with more athleticism than Wallner or Larnach, and down at AA we have one of the top 5 prospects in all of baseball who also plays OF. Leaving defense aside (and anyone arguing for Ford or Gasper should be happy with that), I'd much rather keep Wallner/Larnach bats in the order than make space for Ford, Gasper, or Willi. Or France unless he hits his way on to the team in major fashion. (Plus, the room will have to be made in the next two months for Emma, so hopefully one of our tall dudes is getting reps now.)

[RpR]

1 hour ago, chpettit19 said:

Who were the 8 or 9 guys that played there? Minor league filler? Even worse defenders than Larnach and Wallner? Larnach and Wallner were high picks and were going to get every opportunity to earn a job in the Twins outfield. People complain nonstop here that the Twins need to put guys in the position they're going to play in the majors and let them perfect it. That's what the Twins did with these 2. And it's what they should have done as the Twins outfield has had openings for years and getting these guys prepared to fill them was the obvious decision.

But when the landscape of the team changes players need to move. It happens all the time. Go look at the Padres' starting lineup and see how many guys changed positions in the majors. Shoot, their starting CFer had never played off the dirt until spring training last year and they handed him an opening day job as a 20-year-old in a new position. The Twins didn't need to move Larnach and Wallner in the minors, but if/when Emma and Jenkins (and even Keashall is an OF possibility) arrive Larnach and Wallner may not be the best options at their positions and they'd have to move. Fernando Tatis Jr moved from SS to RF in the majors despite never having played the OF in his minor league career. Miguel Cabrera and Albert Pujols came up as LFers and got moved around to multiple positions (RF, 3B, and 1B) as young players before moving over to 1B permanently. Mookie Betts played 36 innings in RF in AAA before moving to RF at the major league level because of the makeup of the Red Sox (he wasn't displacing Pedroia at 2B). 

I don't know if Julien, Larnach, Wallner, or any of the minor league guys I named can be studs, average, passable, or what at 1B, but 1B has long been the dumping ground for slow defenders with big bats that get pushed out of corner OF spots. MLB players get moved onto and off the dirt all the time. Including some of the biggest stars the game as ever seen. Bryce Harper moved from RF to 1B. Spencer Steer has moved all over for Cinci, including 1B despite just 17 innings there in the minors. 

Moving random guys to 1B is something every team does. And have been doing forever. Moving players around as needed to give them the best team they can is something every team does. And have been doing forever. Larnach and Wallner are athletic dudes. I'd bet they can learn to play 1B at a passable level.

Wallner has the athletic mobility of Lurch.

[jmlease1]

I'm concerned about 1B, because I think the Twins are likely to give France a lot of reps there, and I just don't know if he can be good enough. I'm sure the heel injury was a real issue for him last season, but his respectable OPS before the injury was mostly because of a hot May; he started pretty slowly and the .646 OPS in Mar/Apr has nothing to do with injury. He was awful in Jun/Jul, decent in august, and bad again in sept/oct.  blaming it all on the heel might be letting France off too easily, especially since he wasn't all that good in 2023 and didn't have any injury excuses. Given how the Twins have treated veterans in the past, will France get too much rope if he sucks? i fear he will, even if Miranda is knocking the cover off the ball.

I'd rather roll with Miranda as the primary: the hitting upside is simply higher, and the defense isn't likely to be any worse (and could improve if Miranda can get coached up a bit, become more familiar/comfortable there, etc). But Miranda does need to show that he can stay healthy through a full season and be impactful.

[Doctor Gast]

Miranda didn't have any health problems until they said 3B is yours in '23. Miranda has an average arm IMO to get his arm up to MLB level, he overdid it. Coming to spring training with a wrecked shoulder. '24 he was doing great while at 1B/ DH. Even though healthy Santana was horrible at the plate, Baldelli declared him as a full-time 1Bman. Larnach hurt his toe, so to keep Miranda's bat in the lineup they moved Miranda to 3B. Not long afterward Miranda hurt his back (the back is part of the throwing process). His production took a dive. So when healthy Miranda is great, so the secret here is to keep him healthy by keeping him at 1B/ DH. Not play him at 3B like they did with DET.

France has had many years at 1B & he's still terrible. So common sense should tell us that we need to invest in the long-term Miranda to develop his potential & not in short-term undevelopable glove of France at 1B. I'm all for France to have a good season at DH & help out at 1B but not as the primary 1B.

[GrandBort1]

Just one slight edit to help: "Well, here in 2025, 38 year old Santana has moved on as a free agent and 27 year old Kirilloff has retired."

[chpettit19]

1 hour ago, Doctor Gast said:

Miranda didn't have any health problems until they said 3B is yours in '23. Miranda has an average arm IMO to get his arm up to MLB level, he overdid it. Coming to spring training with a wrecked shoulder. '24 he was doing great while at 1B/ DH. Even though healthy Santana was horrible at the plate, Baldelli declared him as a full-time 1Bman. Larnach hurt his toe, so to keep Miranda's bat in the lineup they moved Miranda to 3B. Not long afterward Miranda hurt his back (the back is part of the throwing process). His production took a dive. So when healthy Miranda is great, so the secret here is to keep him healthy by keeping him at 1B/ DH. Not play him at 3B like they did with DET.

France has had many years at 1B & he's still terrible. So common sense should tell us that we need to invest in the long-term Miranda to develop his potential & not in short-term undevelopable glove of France at 1B. I'm all for France to have a good season at DH & help out at 1B but not as the primary 1B.

Jose Miranda played 2145.1 innings at 3B in the minors. 1395 at 2B. 284 at SS. Only 251.1 of those innings came after he debuted. There's no reason at all to think him being handed the 3B job in 2023 after having played 34 games and 246.2 innings at 3B in the majors in 2022 has caused his injury problems. 

You can't just move everyone who gets hurt to 1B. And not playing 1B doesn't cause injuries.

[TheLeviathan]

[DocBauer]

I missed on the CATCHER article due to time constraints. But I have to take moment on 1B, and roster construction as a whole. 

I DON'T LIKE not having a Hrbek or Mourneau at 1B! Period. 

But the traditional one dimensional slugging 1B has been sliding away in MLB for some time now. The simple reason is better athletes, with more offense, are playing ACROSS the dirt and the grass to provide offense. BUT, 1B is also NOW a perfect opportunity to HAVE a slugging player at 1B who can make a difference.

I think a lot of opinions need to change about set lineups, as they did in the "old days". So let's look at the "old days" when TK and Gardenhire were in charge. You still had 13 position players, sometimes 14. 9 regular starters. One depth piece was the backup catcher. There was always a utility INF, and some sort of 4th OF. That's 12 of 13, or maybe 14.

Who else did you have on your bench?

Randy Bush was a DH, part time corner OF and part time 1B. That means he was a position less player. Al Newman played all across the INF. Denny Hocking did that, PLUS played a little 1B and IIRC, a few games in the OF here and there is believe. Leius was a SS and 3B. Punto played everywhere. 

YES, I'm going old school here. But I'm doing so deliberately. EVERY TEAM throughout time has BENCH players who fill a role by playing multiple positions. With a 24-26 man roster over DECADES it's just a fact. The ONLY difference in the modern game is that teams are trying to find a way to have MORE players who can play MORE than one position to increase the versatility of the entire LIMITED roster. 

(Heavy sigh)

1B SHOULD be mostly Miranda based on BAT ability, relative youth, and potential. IF France doesn't just suck...me being hardcore in language on TD...he offers more experience at the position so Miranda doesn't have to be the primary 1B. IF his bat comes back around, he can also be a solid DH option for now. And you just can't ignore the fact that Julien could be a viable option as a role player at 2B/1B/DH if his bat rebounds. 

What you should ALWAYS want is the best 13 position players you can have, and then fit them in the best you can. Period. 

1B is the same. RIGHT NOW, France MIGHT be part of that 13. It DOESN'T mean he necessarily supplant Miranda as the primary 1B. But if he doesn't suck...there's that word again...he might allow Miranda the flexibility to play some 3B, DH, and grow in to a 1B role. 

[Althebum82]

I know he is in spring training again, but it sure seems generous to include Sabato as a prospect any more after four years in the system and struggling at AA level last year., his highest level of competition.

I, too, was taken aback by the instant proclamation of France's role as projected starter at this position.

Good analysis of a position that is sadly filled with a lot of options with shortcomings to start the year.

 

[mluebker]

There seems to be a growing sentiment that Lewis is the Twins’ 1B of the future, but apparently he has to fail at 3B first. Why not save the wear and tear of trying to pound a square peg into a round, harder-to-field position and just put him at first now? Then we all can worry about who’s playing third, instead.