The Minnesota Twins' Baserunning Mindset Is Changing

[Matthew Taylor]

The Twins haven’t led the league in stolen bases—or excitement on the bases—in a long time. But just a week into 2025, something feels different. A few swipes from their leader, some aggressive reads, and a spring full of hustle have the Twins looking a little bit feisty again.

Image courtesy of © Nick Wosika-Imagn Images

Few teams have been more risk-averse on the bases than the Rocco Baldelli-era Twins. Extra bases were left on the table, stolen base attempts were rare, and the emphasis was clearly on avoiding outs, rather than creating pressure. Under Baldelli, the Twins have been last in MLB in stolen bases for four of the past six seasons. That lack of movement wasn’t just about steals; it was an overall approach that prioritized staying safe over aggressiveness.

Through the first week of the 2025 season, however, something feels different. No, the Twins aren’t suddenly morphing into the 1985 Cardinals, but there’s real evidence (in both words and actions) that they’re beginning to view the basepaths as a place to gain an edge, rather than merely survive. Whether it’s Byron Buxton turning back the clock with a couple of early steals, Royce Lewis refusing to play it safe, or an eighth-inning dash from Dashawn Keirsey Jr., the Twins are showing signs of life in an area that’s been lifeless for years.

This shift was addressed directly by Baldelli, thanks to a well-timed prompt from Cory Provus during a recent media scrum. The skipper made it clear the team made a conscious effort in spring training to rethink its baserunning approach.

“We spent a lot of time in spring training preaching just general aggressiveness, being on your toes," Baldelli said. "Not running the bases passively. Running the bases aggressively and pushing the envelope is always an important thing.”

Gone are the days of passive jogging during BP. Instead, the Twins worked on baserunning every day, during live drills, during batting practice, in situations meant to simulate the split-second decisions that define a game.

“I wanted our guys to get as many reads and visuals as they possibly could during camp,” Baldelli said. “And it’s something we’re gonna carry over into the season.”

Some of the previous caution came from practical concerns. Carlos Correa has battled foot issues. Buxton spent all of 2023 as a DH. Lewis's muscles are all looking for the first excuse to tear. When your most athletic players are your most injury-prone, you play the long game. But that patience also had a cost, one the team appears less willing to pay in 2025.

Take Lewis. He’s coming off yet another injury, and nobody would blame him for dialing things back. But that’s not who he is, and he knows it.

“I’m not gonna change who I am. If I start changing who I am, then I think as a player, I’ll start diminishing my value,” he said. “What I do is very special. I think everyone’s able to see that, and I think that’s why everyone is so mad that I keep getting hurt. People want to see me out on the field.”

His style is part of what gives the Twins their edge. He plays with purpose, and that includes taking extra bases, even if it means risk.

Meanwhile, Buxton already has enough steals (2) in the first week to suggest that he;ll eclipse his total from last season (7 in 102 games), and if he weren’t struggling at the plate, he’d likely have more. The fact that he’s running at all is meaningful. He’s still one of the fastest players in the game, and his willingness to go is a signal that the governor may be off.

Then there are the subtler signs. On Tuesday night in Kansas City, Keirsey entered the game as a pinch-runner for Ryan Jeffers in the 8th inning. On a solid single to right, he took off—first to third without hesitation. It won’t show up in any stolen base totals, but it mattered. It was instinctive, aggressive, and, for a team like the Twins, refreshingly out of character.

“Stolen bases help you win,” Baldelli said. “But going first to third, having an aggressive mindset… that’s going to bring runs to the board, too.”

The Twins even went out this offseason and added a player who fits the mold: Harrison Bader, a burner who has multiple double-digit steal seasons and plays with the kind of frantic energy this team has often lacked.

Minnesota’s offense has sputtered early, and that’s become a familiar story. If the bats aren’t going to carry the load, the Twins will need to find other ways to generate runs. Smart, aggressive baserunning might be their best chance to do it.

No, they’re not going to steal 200 bags. But the mindset appears to be shifting. The Twins might not be a track team just yet, but they’re finally taking their foot off the brakes.

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Royce Lewis???

[DocBauer]

I'm always in favor of running the bases aggressive and smart. The idea of SB is different than just being aggressive on the bases. 

The current Twins team doesn't have the speed to steal many bases.  That may change in the future. But better aggressive extra bases are within their grasp. And I have seen a more aggressive a more approach this season. But it still comes back to opportunity. You stil need the batter to get a hit or at least a sacrifice to plate a runner. And so far the batters just haven't hit at all.

While the pitching hasn't been perfect, it's been solid.  Incredible that 3 games have been lost to errors by the pitchers making weird errors. 

There's been so many weird mistakes that I have to no clue who to blame for this bad start. Being more aggressive in running the bases SHOULD BE natural for the Twins. Unfortunately, there's a lack of speed on the team currently.  And that may change soon. But pure speed doesn't mean you can't be aggressive in taking an extra base. 

But despite the poor offense so far, I'm at least seeing some attempt to be aggressive on the basepaths. The problem has been ANYONE taking advantage and driving a runner in.

[FlyingFinn]

The Twins baserunning is the worst in the league. They have Lugo on the ropes in the 4th inning. Larnach inexplicably rounds 2nd and gets out. If the throw went to home, he's still not going to 3rd with 2 outs. There is no reason for that to happen. Vazquez leads off 2nd with 2 outs and gets picked off. Why? Even he will score on most hits to the OF with 2 outs. These two weren't being aggressive. They were just bad running mistakes. The Twins are really slow but they can still be smart and slow.

[David HK]

Heh... after today's basepath debacle, I wonder if it's changing for better or worse... 😅

[tony&rodney]

I understand having hope that the Twins are changing some things such as base-running. However, they are not. Larnach, Vazquez tonight in Kanas City, Brooks Lee and Camargo tonight in St. Paul are just the latest examples. 

Is Larnach still having problems with turf toe? He never really runs at close to the speed of prior years and he wasn't swift at any time. I hope he avoids further problems because the Twins need his bat, but oh my, he is slow or really hurt.

[Jocko87]

17 minutes ago, FlyingFinn said:

The Twins baserunning is the worst in the league. They have Lugo on the ropes in the 4th inning. Larnach inexplicably rounds 2nd and gets out. If the throw went to home, he's still not going to 3rd with 2 outs. There is no reason for that to happen. Vazquez leads off 2nd with 2 outs and gets picked off. Why? Even he will score on most hits to the OF with 2 outs. These two weren't being aggressive. They were just bad running mistakes. The Twins are really slow but they can still be smart and slow.

Reading the article makes me wonder if in the past Larnach just coasts into second and watches the throw for it to get away but pushing the pace got him into a bad or less familiar position.  I kinda doubt it though because it feels like a scouting win, they knew something to make that throw.  Especially with slow Correa going home. 

With Lugo already at 30 something pitches it made the difference between getting a starter out of the game or letting him recover.  It will matter.  

Vazquez has no excuse, he does that bouncing thing like he’s Prime Deion Sanders all the time and got caught.  That’s definitely a scouting win.

Still plenty of work to do but the general direction is correct.  Baseball is not a game of hustle, it’s a game of being in the right place at the right time which sometimes requires extreme hustle.  It’s not going to happen overnight.

[Doctor Gast]

I commend the Twins for PR with Keirsey & for at least make an attempt to run more. But one thing we need a smarter 3B coach, not someone who's good only at slapping a runner on the backside when they hit a HR. We need someone who's very decisive, quick to make a good call whether to go or stay. Also Baldelli's mindset should also be less HR-minded & more baserunning-minded. That means getting guys like Martin & Keirsey more in the game & turn them loose along with Buxton, Castro, Bader & Lewis when he's around, if only getting them in as much as possible to PR. Getting France to steal more bases won't get it done.

[Karbo]

This team isn't built for speed. Get what they can from the few guys who can run.

[Doctor Wu]

“Stolen bases help you win,” Baldelli said. “But going first to third, having an aggressive mindset… that’s going to bring runs to the board, too.”

Did Rocco actually say that ... or is it just hopeful thinking?

 

[LambchoP]

While it's nice to see guys like Buxton being aggressive, the team overall still makes too many fundamental mistakes. Larnach and Vasquez making third outs in back to back innings on the bases is inexcusable. All this goes back to fundamentals which the Twins can't handle, whether it's base running or defense. This is on the players, but when there are no consequences and is treated like it's no big deal, that is on the manager.

[Linus]

Here are the guys that should try to be aggressive: Buxton Bader Castro and Kiersey. 
The rest of the team needs to avoid making mistakes that cost us outs. 
Having Larnach and Vasquez getting thrown out is insane - they ain’t going anywhere. 
If they really want to solve this problem they need to get more athletic players. If Rocco thinks these sleds should be more aggressive than he does need to go. 

[Riverbrian]

It's good to see. Taking the extra base gets runners in scoring position and produces runs. When your power isn't there, it's good to have another club in your bag for run production. The roster still isn't built for this sort of thing and still requires some adjustment but the progress is noted and appreciated. 

Going to 1st to 3rd is probably bigger than stolen bases but stolen bases are now a thing after many years of not being a thing. 

In 2022 before the rule changes. The Rangers led baseball with 128 stolen bags. The Twins were last with 38. 

In 2023 the first year of the rule change. The Reds led the league with 190 Bags. The Twins were 23rd with 86 bags. Willi Castro was the primary difference with 33 stolen bases.   

Last year... the 2nd year of the rule change. The Nats led the league with 223, The Twins were last with 65. 

Willi Castro is the primary reason for the rise in 2023 and the drop in 2024. He stole 33 bases in 2023... Just 14 in 2024. 

[TopGunn#22]

2019 broke Rocco if he was ever going to be more than just a "spreadsheet" manager.  Even Earl Weaver, the King of the 3-run homer, had guys like Paul Blair and Don Buford who could...and did...steal bases.  I think the sample size is far too small to make any grand pronouncements at this time. 

And for all we heard about Royce Lewis and his desire to get away from a body builder body and working on more flexibility...WHAM!  Right out of the gate he pulls a muscle.  I still think if Lewis is serious about slimming down, getting sleeker and more flexible he will reap the benefits.  You don't constantly pull muscles if you're NOT too tight in the first place. 

He's strong enough, the HR's will come.  The Twins training staff should have come to this conclusion a long time ago.  And it will take more than just an off season to correct it.  It will also make him better in the field and a more free-and-easy thrower as well.  

The fundamental mistakes the Twins are making to begin the season shows a team that wasn't properly prepared.  The wonderful thing about baseball is that a team can recover and make the needed adjustments.  However, if this team is in 4th place by the end of May, there could and probably should, be a cleaning of the house that would include Rocco and a new 3rd base coach.  

[RpR]

This is not aging well.

[TheLeviathan]

I think the Twins are changing this mentality.....but they don't have the personality to stress people on the basepaths.

I'll continue to say it: their everyday players don't have an identity.  They aren't good at anything with any consistency.

[Reptevia]

They’re just learning this now????