Burning Questions For 2025 Twins Spring Training: Shortstop Depth

[Cody Christie]

Minnesota is trusting that Carlos Correa will be healthier in 2025. If not, the shortstop depth behind him could be one of the team’s most significant flaws.

Image courtesy of William Parmeter

What is the Minnesota Twins’ shortstop depth behind Carlos Correa?

The Minnesota Twins made a calculated decision this offseason when they prioritized adding a first baseman in Ty France rather than securing a veteran shortstop behind Carlos Correa. That move came with some risk, considering Correa’s recent injury history, and now the team’s shortstop depth remains one of the most significant question marks heading into the 2025 season.

Correa played at an All-Star level last season, hitting .308/.377/.520 (.896) with 16 doubles and 13 home runs in 75 games. However, he was limited to 11 second-half games due to lingering plantar fasciitis issues, which also hampered his performance in 2023. He remains a difference-maker offensively and defensively when on the field, but the Twins have to prepare for the possibility that his lower-body problems could flare up again.

Thankfully, the Twins seem optimistic about how Correa has looked this spring. “He looks great all the way around,” said Twins manager Rocco Baldelli. “I think he's one of those guys that just loves baseball, loves being at the ballpark, loves the work associated with baseball, it's not just bouncing around the field and having fun during infield, when he can show all the great things that he does.”

Correa reiterated those comments to reporters. “I've been feeling really good. You know me. When you have those type of injuries, you spend the whole offseason, you have to focus every single day of the offseason on getting it right and talk to doctors. I saw a lot of people. We did a lot of PT. We found the right ingredients to get it right. I’m in a really good spot right now.”

If Correa misses time, the first man up is Willi Castro. However, the Twins likely prefer to keep him in a super-utility role rather than locking him in at shortstop for an extended stretch. Last season, he played 56 games at shortstop, the most of any position. He was graded as having a 3 OAA but SABR’s SDI had him as the league’s second-worst shortstop (-5.2 SDI). Castro is a capable defender, but his defensive metrics at shortstop lag behind his play at other positions, and relying on him too heavily at the position could weaken the infield as a whole.

Beyond Castro, the picture becomes murkier. Brooks Lee, the organization’s top infield prospect entering last season, had a rough rookie campaign, battling injuries and inconsistent performance. In 50 games, he hit .221/.265/.320 (.585) with 10 extra-base hits. He is viewed as a stronger shortstop defender than Castro but posted a -2 OAA that could be tied to his injury issues. The Twins remain high on his potential, and he will get every opportunity to prove himself this season. Some evaluators believe his long-term future is at third or second base, making his viability as a Correa backup uncertain.

Complicating matters further, the Twins don’t have any other shortstops on their 40-man roster. In the upper minors, players like Ben Ross, Will Holland, Rayne Doncon, and Danny De Andrade could be options at some point in 2025, but none are MLB-ready at this stage. Kaelen Culpepper, a 2024 first-round pick, is the team’s top shortstop prospect, but he hasn’t played above High-A. The minor league rosters won’t be finalized until later in spring training, so it remains to be seen which players will be positioned as the next in line should depth issues arise.

Given these uncertainties, it’s unsurprising that reports suggested the Twins had interest in adding a veteran shortstop earlier this offseason. Ultimately, the front office determined that shoring up first base with Ty France was a greater priority, leaving them to roll the dice with their in-house shortstop options. That gamble could pay off if Correa stays healthy, but if injuries resurface, the Twins could find themselves scrambling to patch one of the most critical positions on the field.

Minnesota will bank on Correa’s ability to stay on the field and Castro’s flexibility to fill in when needed. But if 2025 unfolds like the past two seasons, don’t be surprised if the Twins are once again in the market for shortstop help before the trade deadline.

Did the Twins need more shortstop depth behind Correa? Leave a comment and start the discussion. 

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[Linus]

Lee and Castro can fill in for this season.  Going forward SS is as big a black hole in our farm system as catcher.  None of the names listed have the potential to be a good mlb SS.  Culpepper would be the top choice but independent scouting reports say he doesn’t have the quickness and lateral movement required.  I don’t know much about De Andrade glove so I will leave him out.

[Karbo]

Defensively I would much rather have Lee at short if C4 goes down, even if he isn't hitting. I'm old school and believe defense up the middle is so important. Looks like at this time, 2nd may be a problem if they don't have Lee there. That leaves Castro or Martin. That makes defense at short even more important IMO.

[tony&rodney]

Brandon Winokur is too tall, the same comment applied to Correa, Seager, and Elly De La Cruz at one time. We shall see in time. No worries today.

[Road trip]

I don't see a problem.

Most organizations can only dream of having a Brooks Lee waiting in the wings to play SS if their starter gets hurt.

12 months ago everyone thought Lee was the 2nd coming of Derek Jeter (I'm exaggerating, I know), and feared the Twins would stash him in AAA for too long.  Turned out Lee's bat wasn't quite ready, or he was hurt, or both.  But that top level prospect is still there, likely healthier, hopefully wiser from the experience he gained last year.

If Correa has a long term IL stint just stick Lee at SS.  He may or may not hit much this year, but the defense should be more than adequate.

[DocBauer]

How many teams to lose their All Star, GG SS and have a ready made replacement available that makes you feel OK?

I've watched a lot of Castro at SS the last two years and I'm OK with him there. The range is fine, the glove and arm are fine, but he does lack the kind of day to day, play to play consistency you want there. So as a fill in I think the Twins are just fine. However, while Lee is probably a lesser athlete than Castro, I think he might simply be smoother and more natural at SS. So if Correa was out for any sort of extended time, I think Lee would be the guy they turn to.

I'm intrigued by the MILB depth. It sounds like Ross might be able to play a decent SS at the ML level, but can't get his bat going. Culpepper and DeBarge may both stick at SS, though Culpepper has a better arm. DeAndrade should stick at SS from what I've read, and Doncon turned out to be a better glove than expected after he came over from the Dodgers. 

But if Correa is healthy and ready to go again, the Twins have a pair of solid fill in options for when he needs a day off.

Edited March 7, 2025 by DocBauer
Wrong word

[Fire Dan Gladden]

Carlos Correa is locked in as the starting SS?

Everything else gets argued and complained about here, I am waiting for the vitriol...

[mickster]

The Twins like to draft the SS position.  I think they will find one in the next draft.  Catcher is a more pressing need.

[bean5302]

Brooks Lee does not have the physical skill set to play SS. He's very slow and he's got a weak arm. Only the Twins would even consider Lee as a potential option at SS. 

[BSLinPA]

4 hours ago, DocBauer said:

How many teams to lose their All Star, GG SS and have a ready made replacement available that makes you feel OK?

I've watched a lot of Gordon at SS the last two years and I'm OK with him there. The range is fine, the glove and arm are fine, but he does lack the kind of day to day, play to play consistency you want there. So as a fill in I think the Twins are just fine. However, while Lee is probably a lesser athlete than Castro, I think he might simply be smoother and more natural at SS. So if Correa was out for any sort of extended time, I think Lee would be the guy they turn to.

Who????????

[DocBauer]

31 minutes ago, BSLinPA said:

Who????????

CASTRO!

Why the auto correct did that I have no idea!

Thanks for pointing it out!

[Althebum82]

Watched the game on ESPN today and saw De Andrade make a good play but a rough throw to Sabato for an error.  I have a feeling no matter who is a shortstop this year we will be reminded how good we had it with Santana at first for a season.

[Jeff K]

17 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Brooks Lee does not have the physical skill set to play SS. He's very slow and he's got a weak arm. Only the Twins would even consider Lee as a potential option at SS. 

I think you are wrong about his arm.  I watched him make a play deep in the 3b/ss hole against the Braves last week and he made a tremendous throw to get the runner.  Yup, that's one play and no analytics to back it up; but it was a very impressive play.  I think he makes a fine back up for Correa

[bean5302]

11 minutes ago, Jeff K said:

I think you are wrong about his arm.  I watched him make a play deep in the 3b/ss hole against the Braves last week and he made a tremendous throw to get the runner.  Yup, that's one play and no analytics to back it up; but it was a very impressive play.  I think he makes a fine back up for Correa

The throw velocities for Brooks Lee were recorded by Statcast. There are plenty of analytics to evaluate Brooks Lee's athleticism and in measurable physical skills, Lee is far below MLB average.