Minnesota Twins 2025 Position Analysis: Left Field

[Nick Nelson]

Trevor Larnach is looking to build off last year's success and clamp down left field. But he'll also probably play a fair amount of DH and sit frequently against lefties, leaving plenty of playing time for others at this intriguing position.

Image courtesy of Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

The Twins have a little bit of everything in left field: a bat-first starter, a glove-first backup, multifaceted depth, and prospects waiting in the wings. This position has the makings of a strength for Minnesota, despite some skepticism from projection systems.

TWINS LEFT FIELDERS AT A GLANCE

Starter: Trevor Larnach
Backup: Harrison Bader
Depth: Willi Castro, Austin Martin, DaShawn Keirsey Jr.
Prospects: Emmanuel Rodriguez, Kala'i Rosario, Jeferson Morales

Twins fWAR Ranking Last Year: 13th out of 30
Twins fWAR Projection This Year: 21st out of 30

THE GOOD
After three seasons of failing to break through and establish himself in the big leagues, Trevor Larnach finally had it click last year. He didn't make the Twins out of camp but was called up quickly, and before long he was consistently batting near the top of the order against right-handed pitchers. Over the course of the season, he was one of Minnesota's most dependable hitters, and one of the few who didn't utterly collapse in the second half.

Relative to some of the unknowns and question marks in the Twins lineup, Larnach seems like someone we can count on to hit this year. Always known for making quality contact, his success in 2024 was driven by a drastic reduction in strikeout rate, which maintained throughout the season. He produced a 116 OPS+ with an above-average walk rate and 90th-percentile exit velocity.

"He was someone that would put the ball in play when we needed him to," Rocco Baldelli told reporters this spring. "He does a little bit of everything. He hits the ball hard. He can put some balls in the seats, which is still something that you’re looking for from your team." The manager mentioned that the team has "pretty high aspirations" for Larnach in his age-28 season.

 

Indeed, Larnach's bat will be crucial to the Twins as they look to rejuvenate their offense following the meltdown last August and September. And while his glove rated poorly in 2024, this likely owed in part to a turf toe issue that bothered him throughout the year – he reportedly "solved" it by shaving the spike underneath his big toe.

Even if his defense improves, Larnach will likely see a fair amount of time at designated hitter; last year he led the team in starts at both LF (47) and DH (49). He'll also probably sit frequently versus left-handers, against whom he made just 23 of his 400 plate appearances. When Larnach is not in left field, the top choice figures to be newcomer Harrison Bader. 

A former Gold Glover in center field, Bader should be an elite defensive asset when playing left, giving Twins pitchers a big advantage on days where he's out there alongside Byron Buxton. Bader hasn't played in an outfield corner since 2018 because he's so good in center, but if things go to plan this year we should see plenty of his skills on display in left. The downside of Bader is that he's not much of a hitter, but if he mostly starts against southpaws this weakness is mitigated. 

Naturally, there's also a chance Bader will be needed to take over in center field for the oft-injured Buxton, which is a big part of the reason the Twins signed him for more than $6 million. Fortunately, there's plenty of secondary depth in left field. Utilityman Willi Castro was Minnesota's Opening Day starter there last year, and it might be his best position. Left is also probably Austin Martin's best position. DaShawn Keirsey Jr. will be a handy outfield valve at Triple-A.

The prospect to watch here is Emmanuel Rodriguez. Sidelined in camp by an ankle injury, he probably starts the season in St. Paul, where a strong first half could put him in play for a call-up, especially if attrition strikes in the Twins outfield or Larnach struggles. Luke Keaschall could also potentially factor in.

THE BAD
There is seemingly a lot to like at this position for the Twins: good starter, proven depth, high-upside prospects. Yet FanGraphs projects Minnesota to rank 21st out of 30 teams in WAR from left fielders. Why the muted expectations?

Much of it comes down to Larnach and his track record. There were plenty of positives in his performance last year, but the fact remains: Larnach has produced a mediocre 2.6 fWAR through 300 major-league games, and he's now 28. He still hasn't shown he can shake the nagging injuries, which affected him last year though he played through them. Even if his toe is healthy he might be best suited for DH.

If Larnach gets hurt or plays a bunch at designated hitter, the Twins could find offensive production in left field difficult to come by. Bader was a solid hitter at one point but slashed .239/.284/.360 over the past three seasons and posted an 86 OPS+ with the Mets in 2024, floundering in the second half like so many Twins players. Castro and Austin Martin can hold their own defensively in the outfield but aren't likely to be standout bats. Keirsey, Rodriguez and Keaschall are intriguing but none have any MLB experience.

THE BOTTOM LINE
The drop-off in offensive impact from using Larnach against right-handers compared to Bader, or really any of the team's other left field options, is substantial. That's why it's vital for Larnach to stay healthy and show enough with his glove to make the team feel comfortable playing him in the outfield regularly. 

If those things don't happen, the Twins should have no trouble running out capable starters in left, but their ceiling at the position will be capped – unless a rising prospect like Rodriguez or Keaschall can enter the scene and make noise. 

Share your thoughts on the outlook at left field below and check out the rest of our Position Analysis series:

• Twins 2025 Position Analysis: Catcher
• Twins 2025 Position Analysis: First Base
• Twins 2025 Position Analysis: Second Base
• Twins 2025 Position Analysis: Third Base
• Twins 2025 Position Analysis: Shortstop

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[dxpavelka]

Congrats to us.  It only took 4 years to replace Eddie Rosario.  With a group that is projected to finish 21 in fWar. 

[thelanges5]

Larnach can spend 2025 in LF/DH before he takes up 1B/DH in 2026. ⚾️

[jmlease1]

2 hours ago, dxpavelka said:

Congrats to us.  It only took 4 years to replace Eddie Rosario.  With a group that is projected to finish 21 in fWar. 

Considering Eddie Rosario has produced a net fWAR of -0.4 over those 4 years, I'd say the Twins did the right thing in declining arbitration with him. He hasn't been a starting quality player in years, and looks completely cooked. We may not have adequately replaced Eddie, but it wouldn't have been any better with him. Larnach has been better, if inconsistent and not healthy enough. As awful as the Margot Experience was last season, Rosario was worse.

I think we have LF patched together well enough for this year with Larnach, Bader, and Castro getting most of the time there, but I worry about Bader getting too much time over Larnach for defense, while flailing at the plate. Bader should not be starting against RHP unless Larnach is injured.

But this is definitely a position where the team is waiting on a prospect. Fortunately, we have multiple options in Rodriguez and Keaschall that are getting closer every day.

[Doctor Gast]

Larnach made a step forward by ditching the old approach & reinventing himself. He is our best bat in LF & the others are better gloves. We are very deep in LF where it'll be very hard to find playing time for everyone who's deserving. & when you figure in DH, which is very deep, it'll be very difficult to give deserving players playing time. IMO it's overkill & some will get the s****y end again.

[DocBauer]

Really impressed last season by Larnach, especially the steong finish to his season. I think his defense is underrated. He's not that fleet of foot, of course, but he seems to get solid jumps and tracks the ball well. And his arm is not to Wallner's level, but it's pretty good. And I can see him playing a little RF here and there when Wallner gets a day off.

No slight intended to Bader, but I really hope we only see him in LF against LHP, and maybe as a late inning defensive replacement at times. Larnach's bat is too important to not be in the lineup.

I do wonder about DH though. While he certainly hasn't made the club yet, Julien has looked better. And the team is a little short on LH hitters. If Julien does make the club, I could see him as the closest to being the full time DH. And that's fine with Larnach being the primary LF.

[dxpavelka]

10 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

Considering Eddie Rosario has produced a net fWAR of -0.4 over those 4 years, I'd say the Twins did the right thing in declining arbitration with him. He hasn't been a starting quality player in years, and looks completely cooked. We may not have adequately replaced Eddie, but it wouldn't have been any better with him. Larnach has been better, if inconsistent and not healthy enough. As awful as the Margot Experience was last season, Rosario was worse.

I think we have LF patched together well enough for this year with Larnach, Bader, and Castro getting most of the time there, but I worry about Bader getting too much time over Larnach for defense, while flailing at the plate. Bader should not be starting against RHP unless Larnach is injured.

But this is definitely a position where the team is waiting on a prospect. Fortunately, we have multiple options in Rodriguez and Keaschall that are getting closer every day.

You can give me all the metrics you want about Eddie but you overlook something he brought that no metric has ever been able to measure.  Heart.  Yeah, go ahead and tell me I'm full of ****.   Even though this team may have been a better team in the time since he's been gone than it was when he was here it's totally lacked heart.  And it showed.  You can deny.  But you'll be wrong.

[dxpavelka]

12 hours ago, thelanges5 said:

Larnach can spend 2025 in LF/DH before he takes up 1B/DH in 2026. ⚾️

Why wait?

 

[Danchat]

40 minutes ago, dxpavelka said:

You can give me all the metrics you want about Eddie but you overlook something he brought that no metric has ever been able to measure.  Heart.  Yeah, go ahead and tell me I'm full of ****.   Even though this team may have been a better team in the time since he's been gone than it was when he was here it's totally lacked heart.  And it showed.  You can deny.  But you'll be wrong.

If we're covering intangibles, then we also have to talk about his lack of focus which led to getting picked off bases or caught in between, and also making mistakes when throwing the ball into the infield. Sometimes he was infuriating to watch.

I am glad he was able to be part of the World Series run with the Braves, but I have a hard time seeing the argument that paying him was the right move given the numbers he put up through the rest of his career.

[Linus]

I hope that Keaschall gets a bunch of reps in left field in AAA.  He might be the right handed hitting outfielder we’ve been waiting for.

[dxpavelka]

2 hours ago, Danchat said:

If we're covering intangibles, then we also have to talk about his lack of focus which led to getting picked off bases or caught in between, and also making mistakes when throwing the ball into the infield. Sometimes he was infuriating to watch.

I am glad he was able to be part of the World Series run with the Braves, but I have a hard time seeing the argument that paying him was the right move given the numbers he put up through the rest of his career.

Might want to mention INTEGRAL part of that World Series run.  Something not seen around these parts in three and a half decades.  But who needs those.

 

[Mike Sixel]

1 hour ago, Linus said:

I hope that Keaschall gets a bunch of reps in left field in AAA.  He might be the right handed hitting outfielder we’ve been waiting for.

I remain confused over this site s desire for RH hitters.... But I'm excited about him!

[tony&rodney]

Luke Keaschall is quite an unknown defensively. I have read that he was brutal in college but showed improvement in his first year. he was primarily a DH last season due to injury. I haven't seen him play enough to judge anything about his possibility as an outfielder. The scouts seem to think he could be really good in the outfield but are waiting to see him as well. 

The last few weeks we may see Keaschall play in the field and then he can show his worth in April in AA/AAA, wherever the Twins play him to begin the season. One to watch though for an outfield spot.

 

[DJL44]

8 hours ago, dxpavelka said:

Might want to mention INTEGRAL part of that World Series run.  Something not seen around these parts in three and a half decades.  But who needs those.

Carlos Correa and Christian Vazquez have both been integral parts of World Series runs. Would you rather have Rosario instead of Correa?

[Linus]

9 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

I remain confused over this site s desire for RH hitters.... But I'm excited about him!

As opposed to a right handed hitting second baseman?  Or are you trading him for a left handed hitter?

[Mike Sixel]

1 hour ago, Linus said:

As opposed to a right handed hitting second baseman?  Or are you trading him for a left handed hitter?

Pretty sure this is a discussion about LF....

[Major League Ready]

14 hours ago, DocBauer said:

Really impressed last season by Larnach, especially the steong finish to his season. I think his defense is underrated. He's not that fleet of foot, of course, but he seems to get solid jumps and tracks the ball well. And his arm is not to Wallner's level, but it's pretty good. And I can see him playing a little RF here and there when Wallner gets a day off.

No slight intended to Bader, but I really hope we only see him in LF against LHP, and maybe as a late inning defensive replacement at times. Larnach's bat is too important to not be in the lineup.

I do wonder about DH though. While he certainly hasn't made the club yet, Julien has looked better. And the team is a little short on LH hitters. If Julien does make the club, I could see him as the closest to being the full time DH. And that's fine with Larnach being the primary LF.

Agree completely Doc.  The question is how soon does Rodriguez appear on the scene and change this equation.  Rodriquez will be an everyday OFer.   That pushes one of Larnach / Wallner to DH.  

BTW ... His splits are close too.   It's going to be a huge boost to this team if Erod performs.  He fits in great now and going forward.

[Linus]

55 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Pretty sure this is a discussion about LF....

Actually you made it about right handed hitters which Keaschall is one and in(hopefully) need of a place to play.  You can play him at second or first and guess what - he will still be hitting right handed.  Since the Twins are committed to having a Bader, Margot et al on their roster, I would prefer Keaschall to them.

[Mike Sixel]

1 minute ago, Linus said:

Actually you made it about right handed hitters which Keaschall is one and in(hopefully) need of a place to play.  You can play him at second or first and guess what - he will still be hitting right handed.  Since the Twins are committed to having a Bader, Margot et al on their roster, I would prefer Keaschall to them.

Fair. I'd prefer they stick him at secd and let him become good there. I'm excited to watch him play. But that doesn't mean I understand this obsession with RH hitters in general by the board. 

If the Twins feel they have to have a RH OF, put him in left and get him really good there. But they have four legit OF and prospects for the OF already.... And all are LH. And that doesn't count Buxton....

[Linus]

1 minute ago, Mike Sixel said:

Fair. I'd prefer they stick him at secd and let him become good there. I'm excited to watch him play. But that doesn't mean I understand this obsession with RH hitters in general by the board. 

If the Twins feel they have to have a RH OF, put him in left and get him really good there. But they have four legit OF and prospects for the OF already.... And all are LH. And that doesn't count Buxton....

I’m not one obsessed by handedness.  I want good hitters that don’t have huge splits.  I’m hopeful Keaschall could be that.  

[JD-TWINS]

12 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Luke Keaschall is quite an unknown defensively. I have read that he was brutal in college but showed improvement in his first year. he was primarily a DH last season due to injury. I haven't seen him play enough to judge anything about his possibility as an outfielder. The scouts seem to think he could be really good in the outfield but are waiting to see him as well. 

The last few weeks we may see Keaschall play in the field and then he can show his worth in April in AA/AAA, wherever the Twins play him to begin the season. One to watch though for an outfield spot.

 

Hoping he’s our 1B of the future OR Lewis goes there and Keaschall plays 2B? Either works with Lee at 3B eventually.

[JD-TWINS]

1 hour ago, Major League Ready said:

Agree completely Doc.  The question is how soon does Rodriguez appear on the scene and change this equation.  Rodriquez will be an everyday OFer.   That pushes one of Larnach / Wallner to DH.  

BTW ... His splits are close too.   It's going to be a huge boost to this team if Erod performs.  He fits in great now and going forward.

The only two guys hurt more than Emma are Cantinero and Prielipp……..he’s got a sprained ankle now. I have no expectations of Emma in the Show until he can play 60 days straight in MiLB and have success. To me, he’s mostly hype at this point. I don’t dislike him nor think he isn’t talented but “little availability” is of no interest in Minneapolis!

[jmlease1]

15 hours ago, dxpavelka said:

You can give me all the metrics you want about Eddie but you overlook something he brought that no metric has ever been able to measure.  Heart.  Yeah, go ahead and tell me I'm full of ****.   Even though this team may have been a better team in the time since he's been gone than it was when he was here it's totally lacked heart.  And it showed.  You can deny.  But you'll be wrong.

So you admit that we've been better since he left and the only reason to keep him is an intangible that can't be measured? How much did you like Eddie's "heart" when he swung at a pitch that wasn't near the plate, overthrew the cutoff man by 19 feet, etc?

Look, I liked Eddie as a player and he was pretty good for us for a few years (really really good for one season, solid enough for several others, at least as a hitter) but his best ability was availability. He had a great NLCS, but otherwise wasn't actually very good in the playoffs for Atl in their title run.

The problem with recent Twins teams hasn't been a lack of heart, it's been a lack of health. I'm not wrong about this. And frankly, accusing the current players of not having enough heart is pretty insulting to them. Please feel free to tell Ryan Jeffers, Royce Lewis, Carlos Correa, Pablo Lopez, Bailey Ober, Griffin Jax, etc that they have no heart. I'd love to see that.

I think LF is going to be ok this season as long as Bader doesn't play too much against RHP. But I'm looking forward to seeing Emma seize the job and hit line drives all over the place.

[dxpavelka]

12 hours ago, DJL44 said:

Carlos Correa and Christian Vazquez have both been integral parts of World Series runs. Would you rather have Rosario instead of Correa?

coulda had BOTH

[dxpavelka]

7 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

So you admit that we've been better since he left and the only reason to keep him is an intangible that can't be measured? How much did you like Eddie's "heart" when he swung at a pitch that wasn't near the plate, overthrew the cutoff man by 19 feet, etc?

Look, I liked Eddie as a player and he was pretty good for us for a few years (really really good for one season, solid enough for several others, at least as a hitter) but his best ability was availability. He had a great NLCS, but otherwise wasn't actually very good in the playoffs for Atl in their title run.

The problem with recent Twins teams hasn't been a lack of heart, it's been a lack of health. I'm not wrong about this. And frankly, accusing the current players of not having enough heart is pretty insulting to them. Please feel free to tell Ryan Jeffers, Royce Lewis, Carlos Correa, Pablo Lopez, Bailey Ober, Griffin Jax, etc that they have no heart. I'd love to see that.

I think LF is going to be ok this season as long as Bader doesn't play too much against RHP. But I'm looking forward to seeing Emma seize the job and hit line drives all over the place.

I remember another guy with heart who swung at a few pitches not near the plate.  He wore # 34.  Actually, we have NOT been better since Rosario left.  Our winning % the last 4 years is a hundred points below what it was the previous 4 years.  And do I think it had something to do with Eddie and heart.  God damn right I do.  That and the fact the the current squad has ZERO heart.  But sure why not keep it going in the same direction.

[dxpavelka]

7 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

So you admit that we've been better since he left and the only reason to keep him is an intangible that can't be measured? How much did you like Eddie's "heart" when he swung at a pitch that wasn't near the plate, overthrew the cutoff man by 19 feet, etc?

Look, I liked Eddie as a player and he was pretty good for us for a few years (really really good for one season, solid enough for several others, at least as a hitter) but his best ability was availability. He had a great NLCS, but otherwise wasn't actually very good in the playoffs for Atl in their title run.

The problem with recent Twins teams hasn't been a lack of heart, it's been a lack of health. I'm not wrong about this. And frankly, accusing the current players of not having enough heart is pretty insulting to them. Please feel free to tell Ryan Jeffers, Royce Lewis, Carlos Correa, Pablo Lopez, Bailey Ober, Griffin Jax, etc that they have no heart. I'd love to see that.

I think LF is going to be ok this season as long as Bader doesn't play too much against RHP. But I'm looking forward to seeing Emma seize the job and hit line drives all over the place.

Funny you mention Eddie's best ability being his availability. Considering all the guys who have NOT measured up in that department the last four years.  A virtual squad of iron men.

[DJL44]

11 hours ago, dxpavelka said:

That and the fact the the current squad has ZERO heart. 

What a ridiculous take. "I like Eddie Rosario, therefore every player on the roster isn't trying". Total garbage.

[jmlease1]

13 hours ago, dxpavelka said:

Funny you mention Eddie's best ability being his availability. Considering all the guys who have NOT measured up in that department the last four years.  A virtual squad of iron men.

You refuse to understand that Eddie Rosario has not been good since leaving MN. He's been paid $28M for -1.1 bWAR. That's AWFUL. I don't care how much heart you think he has, he wasn't even a quality starter his last 2 seasons in MN because while he still hit well enough (107 and 116 OPS+ his last 2 seasons in MN) his defense was bad. Poor thrower (missing cutoff men, throwing to the wrong base, etc) who no longer got to balls because he lost steps in the OF. Who cares if he was available when he sucked? (BTW, he also started missing time after leaving MN)

Twins got better production for a lot less money over the last 4 years from the motley crew of Larnach (who is pretty good), Gallo, Margot (who was awful, yet still more productive than Rosario's heart), and Gordon.

Happy for Eddie who got paid and won a ring, but equally happy to not have him on the roster and sucking.

LF should be fine this season with Larnach as the primary, Bader & Castro backing him up, and Rodriguez & Keaschall pushing for an opportunity.

[dxpavelka]

On 3/12/2025 at 7:10 AM, DJL44 said:

What a ridiculous take. "I like Eddie Rosario, therefore every player on the roster isn't trying". Total garbage.

Get back to me the next time you see a player on this squad show some heart.  Do something that your glorious analytics can't measure.  I won't be holding my breath.

[dxpavelka]

On 3/12/2025 at 9:28 AM, jmlease1 said:

You refuse to understand that Eddie Rosario has not been good since leaving MN. He's been paid $28M for -1.1 bWAR. That's AWFUL. I don't care how much heart you think he has, he wasn't even a quality starter his last 2 seasons in MN because while he still hit well enough (107 and 116 OPS+ his last 2 seasons in MN) his defense was bad. Poor thrower (missing cutoff men, throwing to the wrong base, etc) who no longer got to balls because he lost steps in the OF. Who cares if he was available when he sucked? (BTW, he also started missing time after leaving MN)

Twins got better production for a lot less money over the last 4 years from the motley crew of Larnach (who is pretty good), Gallo, Margot (who was awful, yet still more productive than Rosario's heart), and Gordon.

Happy for Eddie who got paid and won a ring, but equally happy to not have him on the roster and sucking.

LF should be fine this season with Larnach as the primary, Bader & Castro backing him up, and Rodriguez & Keaschall pushing for an opportunity.

I love it when I tell folks that there are things analytics can't measure and the fire back with an analytic to tell me I'm wrong.  Makes me feel like I'm conversing with Detroit Lions fans.