Can Harrison Bader Be the Heart and Soul of the 2025 Twins?

[Sherry Cerny]

Almost every team has that one guy—the heart and the soul of the team. And it’s not usually the one that you think of. More often, it’s the guy who was brought in at the last minute, to raised eyebrows and no fanfare. But when the chips are down and fans are anxious, they're the ones who come up big.

Image courtesy of © Tim Vizer-Imagn Images

In 2023, it was Michael A. Taylor. In 2024, it was Carlos Santana. Now, it’s Harrison Bader. 

Each of these players joined the team as one-year stopgaps, to fill a pressing need. Taylor was the outfield insurance behind an injured Byron Buxton. Santana was a badly needed upgrade at first base. Each was projected merely as a role player, but ended up as an indispensable piece of the everyday lineup. Now, it’s Bader’s turn. 

Harrison Bader came to the Twins from the Mets, an out-of-left-field free-agent signing made more thrilling because it was so unexpected. The 30-year-old Bader was selected by the Cardinals in the 2015 MLB Draft. He made his debut in 2017 as a center fielder, and won a Gold Glove Award in 2021. Bader bounced from the Cardinals to the Yankees (and then the Reds) in 2023, then to the Mets in 2024. 

Last season with the Mets, Bader hit .236/.284/.373 in 402 at-bats, with 12 home runs, 51 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. The Twins signed him right before spring training, on a one-year, $6.25-million deal that includes a 2026 mutual option. 

Already in spring training, we saw glimmers of the potential Bader was bringing to the team. In the third game of Grapefruit League play, the Twins and Yankees traded off homers, but it was Bader who worked around the gusts of 20-mph wind to swat a home run and put the Twins up 2-1. He hasn’t quit since then. 

Bader is a smooth operator: Pretty hair, and an even prettier swing. In the regular season, he has 24 plate appearances. He already has 3 home runs and 8 RBIs. His .261 batting average says little about his ability to create situations to help dig the team out of the slumps.

Twins manager, Rocco Baldelli talked about Bader, his professional routine, how much he likes to work, being on the field and his defensive play ahead of the team's home opener Thursday.

“The way he talks about the game, he loves playing baseball. He loves it. He kind of lets his emotion seep out on a regular basis, and his excitement for just being out there,” Baldelli said. 

He has the most home runs on the team, the most RBIs, and the most (let’s call it) pizazz. Not only has he brought the work ethic, hard defense and hungry plate appearances, but also some color. 

Bader, who is somewhat famous for wearing his crop tops, and confidently wearing his bright and colorful accessories (Bruce Bolt sliding mitts, guards and headbands), is relatable to a lot of the kids watching the games. He has won over the fans with affectionate names such as, Crop Top Bader Tot, Bader Tot Hotdish, and honestly, just “favorite”.

In an interview before the April 5th game, Bader was talking to Dustin Morse about why he wears those colors.

He cares about the game. He cares about the way it’s trending, and how to keep the kids interested and grow the game. There is always one—one player who not only produces on the field, but also grows the hearts of the fans. Harrison Bader, this year, you are the one.

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[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

Bader can definitely give them a shot in the arm. But the Twins really need their best players - Correa, Buxton, Lopez, Ober, Ryan, Duran, and Jax - to start playing like it.

[Patzky]

Eeles, Bader, Royce and Ryan. 

[jkcarew]

He’s being used as a platoon player. So…

Best chance at a salvaged season is Lewis being that guy…playing 120 games and being really good. Seems like pipe dream right now.

[D.C Twins]

Well Rocco is certainly not providing 'the heart and soul' so applications are welcome from anyone associated with the team!

[NotAboutWinning]

I certainly hope so... right now this team has neither ☹️

[DocBauer]

I don't see Bader as the "heart and soul" of the team. I think that's clearly Buxton, Correa, and a healthy Lewis on the player side. But he can be a genuine "spark" for the team.

So far he's taken solid AB, and provided some hustle. His 3 HR have been exciting, and he's got some power, but I don't expect a continuing HR binge. I like his defense despite the big mistake in Sunday's game by throwing to 2B instead of Correa at SS, who probably would have gunned down the runner on 3rd heading home.

He's not a star player. But he's got value between defense, speed, some power, and a certain flamboyant, hustle persona. It's all about staying healthy and hitting RH pitching at an acceptable level. 

But I can see the potential as a fan favorite, good teammate, and sparkplug kind of player. He looks like he's having fun while playing.

[RpR]

1 hour ago, DocBauer said:

I don't see Bader as the "heart and soul" of the team. I think that's clearly Buxton, Correa, and a healthy Lewis on the player side. But he can be a genuine "spark" for the team.

So far he's taken solid AB, and provided some hustle. His 3 HR have been exciting, and he's got some power, but I don't expect a continuing HR binge. I like his defense despite the big mistake in Sunday's game by throwing to 2B instead of Correa at SS, who probably would have gunned down the runner on 3rd heading home.

He's not a star player. But he's got value between defense, speed, some power, and a certain flamboyant, hustle persona. It's all about staying healthy and hitting RH pitching at an acceptable level. 

But I can see the potential as a fan favorite, good teammate, and sparkplug kind of player. He looks like he's having fun while playing.

At this point Lewis a National Enquirer headline at best.

[tony&rodney]

I really appreciate how hard Bader is working at the plate and at an unfamiliar position in the field as well. According to BR this year is the first time Bader has played left field.

However, if a player signed to be your Buxton insurance policy and defensive outfielder is looked at as a central figure on the team, there may be some underlying issues with the roster.

[Whitey333]

There is no heart and soul on this team. It went away in mid Aughst last year and can't be found.  Bader is thr closest thing.  But he hits, leads the team in home runs and RBI and hustles which most of the other players don't do.  Therein lies the problem.  Rocco platooning perhaps his most productive player.  If ever a team needed a new manager it's the Twins.  They continue to play lifeless ball.

[LambchoP]

He sure has been fun to watch so far. This team needs guys like this that give 100 percent and play with energy. The rest of the team looks like they are just counting down the innings until they can go home and go to bed..... Too bad Eeles is hurt, I really thought he had a good chance of being a spark plug type guy this year. Is there any return timeframe for him yet?

[Rod Carews Birthday]

Harrison Bader is the current Dan Gladden clone on the team.  He does a lot of things pretty well and is a useful guy, but he’s not an all-star.  Gladden was a tiny bit better hitter, but Bader is better defensively and on the bases.  If Bader can keep hitting the way he is right now, he will be the best player on the team, but that’s not sustainable.  

What both of them seem to have is that rah-rah component that is in pretty short supply on the Twins right now.  Even without keeping the hitting going, Bader has the potential to be very valuable.  Hopefully that energy is contagious. 

[rdehring]

11 minutes ago, Rod Carews Birthday said:

Harrison Bader is the current Dan Gladden clone on the team.  He does a lot of things pretty well and is a useful guy, but he’s not an all-star.  Gladden was a tiny bit better hitter, but Bader is better defensively and on the bases.  If Bader can keep hitting the way he is right now, he will be the best player on the team, but that’s not sustainable.  

What both of them seem to have is that rah-rah component that is in pretty short supply on the Twins right now.  Even without keeping the hitting going, Bader has the potential to be very valuable.  Hopefully that energy is contagious. 

Thanks for posting, Rod.  I have been thinking that he reminds me a lot of Gladden ever since that first game in St. Louis.  The similarities are there right down to his style of play and longer, wild hair.  

Considering I still miss the days of the Piranhas, I am looking forward to watching him this summer.

[Senior Softball Guy]

If you can't win championships at least be entertaining! Bader is a high wire act. Highlight reel to what was he thinking, it is fun to watch. Remember he is replacing Manny Margot who was not much fun to watch!

[Riverbrian]

He has had a nice start to the season.

He is one of a very few players who are positively contributing to the baseball team at the moment. 

I hope he continues. This team needs the help.  

Heart and Soul? I sure hope not. He is signed to a 1 year deal with a 2nd year mutual option that we won't be able to afford if he ends being our heart and soul in 2025.