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Posted

According to Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic, the Twins are calling up their third-ranked prospect, Luke Keaschall, amid a flurry of injuries to position players.

Image courtesy of © Chris Tilley-Imagn Images

Luke Keaschall, a consensus top-100 global prospect, is coming to the big leagues. The availability of Carlos Correa (wrist) and Willi Castro (oblique) is unknown, after each had to leave games during the Twins' recent series with the Mets. Jose Miranda (hand) and Austin Martin (hamstring) are both on the injured list for St. Paul, further eroding the team's position-player depth.

Keaschall was the Twins' second-round pick out of Arizona State in 2023, the same draft that netted the Twins Walker Jenkins and Charlee Soto. He adjusted quickly to professional baseball. In his first full season in 2024, he hit .303/.420/.483, with 15 home runs (37 extra-base hits) and 23 stolen bases across 102 games at High A and Double A.

Keaschall thrived on a combination of excellent swing decisions and strong bat-to-ball skills. He walked 13.4% of the time in 2024 against a strikeout rate of just 17.2%. A contact rate of 82.4% underpinned consistently strong production at the plate, with more pull-side power than you might expect.

Keaschall's season was cut short in August by scheduled Tommy John surgery. His injury impacted both his swing and his throwing, with one of the most pressing questions against a safe profile being where he might fit defensively. Indeed, in the early going at St. Paul, Keaschall has mostly played DH, while easing back into limited defensive duties at second base. He's an outstanding athlete though. Assuming his throwing arm is fully recovered, he would make sense as an option in the outfield.

Keaschall was off to a solid start at St. Paul, hitting .261/.379/.348 with a home run and a double in 14 games, good for a 107 wRC+. While this debut might be sooner than anticipated, or is ideal, a top prospect making their major league debut will undoubtedly excite a fan base in search of good news. Keaschall will join the team in Atlanta on Friday.

More to come.


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Posted

Agreed. I see him at 2B against LH starters in place of Julien and at DH when Larnach is in the OF and Keirsey sits, or in place of Larnach. I just hope they give him some ABs while he's up so we can see where he is and whether he's ready, close, or still needs time. I would rather see Keaschall bat this weekend than see any ABs for Gaspar or Bride. Let's give Keaschall at least 2 starts this weekend. 

Posted

Seems premature, given the TJ surgery. Could be ok if he’s DH to see if his bat is an upgrade to current roster. Hope this doesn’t jeopardize his arm in anyway. If he’s primarily DH, what to do with Julien? He’s finally having good AB’s and getting some hits. It will be interesting to see what Keaschall will do. 

Posted
10 minutes ago, DocBauer said:

I'm super excited!

But I was really this wouldn't happen for another month as his elbow would be that much stronger/proven and this early promotion also means injuries have happened.

But did I mention I'm super excited?

Yep! Here's a low hanging fruit way to drum up interest in the team! Wish they were playing at home this weekend but I'm worried they got some bad news about Correa and/or Castro to inspire this move. 

 

We shall see!

Posted
6 minutes ago, 1985Fan said:

Seems premature, given the TJ surgery. Could be ok if he’s DH to see if his bat is an upgrade to current roster. Hope this doesn’t jeopardize his arm in anyway. If he’s primarily DH, what to do with Julien? He’s finally having good AB’s and getting some hits. It will be interesting to see what Keaschall will do. 

Julien has been making his way at second recently. Keaschall at DH is just fine especially the way Larnach hasn't been hitting of late.

Posted
1 minute ago, Twins_Fan_in_NJ said:

Put me in the excited camp. But I'd be really, really excited if it means the Ghost is gone and Correa and Castro escaped a trip to the IL. Either way, can't wait to see Luke. Will be a much needed shot in the arm!

I'm curious to see how he'll be used and where in the order. Let me go out in a limb and say DH and batting seventh tomorrow.

Posted
25 minutes ago, FlyingFinn said:

Canterino DFA is my guess.

They could easily move him to the 60 man IL. They have to pay him a little more i think, but keeping his service time in check should be a non-factor ar this point. I mean, if you want to keep looking him around, then just put him on the 60 man already.

Posted

Let's gooooooooo!

I know we're all generally down on the team right now, but it's also nice to sit back and think about how in the Terry Ryan era this move would have been to have Bride fill in because of his "veteran leadership." Screw that, let's see the kids play!

Posted

He's far and away the best hitter in the system after Jenkins and more ready than Jenkins, even if WJ weren't hurt.  Still this seems unfortunate that the Twins place him on the 40 this early.  Lots can happen over the season (injury, struggles) that would make this move hasty.  Instead of getting an extra year, potentially, this pretty much means that LK's seven year clock starts now instead of next year.

He's the one guy I'd lock up for the next nine years.  This year, the next six pre-FA years, and the two FA years.  He will hit.  EmRod probably won't hit, you don't know if he'll figure it out.  Keaschall?  If you bat him, he will hit.  Jenkins?  Agent won't let him be locked up.  Keaschall is the man, and it starts now.

It's too bad Eeles has been hurt.  Wonder how he's doing?

Posted
17 minutes ago, twinstalker said:

He's far and away the best hitter in the system after Jenkins and more ready than Jenkins, even if WJ weren't hurt.  Still this seems unfortunate that the Twins place him on the 40 this early.  Lots can happen over the season (injury, struggles) that would make this move hasty.  Instead of getting an extra year, potentially, this pretty much means that LK's seven year clock starts now instead of next year.

18 minutes ago, twinstalker said:

He's far and away the best hitter in the system after Jenkins and more ready than Jenkins, even if WJ weren't hurt.  Still this seems unfortunate that the Twins place him on the 40 this early.  Lots can happen over the season (injury, struggles) that would make this move hasty.  Instead of getting an extra year, potentially, this pretty much means that LK's seven year clock starts now instead of next year.

He's the one guy I'd lock up for the next nine years.  This year, the next six pre-FA years, and the two FA years.  He will hit.  EmRod probably won't hit, you don't know if he'll figure it out.  Keaschall?  If you bat him, he will hit.  Jenkins?  Agent won't let him be locked up.  Keaschall is the man, and it starts now.

It's too bad Eeles has been hurt.  Wonder how he's doing?

He's the one guy I'd lock up for the next nine years.  This year, the next six pre-FA years, and the two FA years.  He will hit.  EmRod probably won't hit, you don't know if he'll figure it out.  Keaschall?  If you bat him, he will hit.  Jenkins?  Agent won't let him be locked up.  Keaschall is the man, and it starts now.

It's too bad Eeles has been hurt.  Wonder how he's doing?

They just added him to the 40 man. Don't worry about locking him up for the next bunch of years at this point. He might be great, or he might not. It's a bit early to tell of he's a lock to be even above average. I hope you're right, and it is going to be exciting to  watch him develop with the big club!

Posted
3 hours ago, 1985Fan said:

Seems premature, given the TJ surgery. Could be ok if he’s DH to see if his bat is an upgrade to current roster. Hope this doesn’t jeopardize his arm in anyway. If he’s primarily DH, what to do with Julien? He’s finally having good AB’s and getting some hits. It will be interesting to see what Keaschall will do. 

Julien’s the every day guy at 2B for the foreseeable future - right?

Can’t imagine the organization/training staff risking Keaschall’s future by green lighting him for any duty he’s not ready for at this point. DH is fine with me. Maybe he gives France a day off or two over the next couple weeks at 1B?

If Bride can play 3B & Lee at SS until Correa can go, & then as Castro feels better he can be the 3rd/4th OF. Bader can be used more strategically if Larnach is freed up to play some LF v. RH pitching……..Keaschall at DH.

Bride looked like desperation to me - probably cheap enough to try. However, he hit .272 last year with a good OBP & 11 dingers in 272 AB’s. Seems a little reactionary for Marlins to let him go so early. Maybe they thought the .100 BA would not interest anybody? He has some potential at least as a depth piece.

Posted
20 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

Too early. He's barely holding his own at AAA. Just like Brooks Lee last year, who flopped hard. Hopefully Keaschall is able to adapt quickly to a level of play far above AAA.

Agree - too early but no other viable options on the offensive side - we’re rostering Gasper & Kiersey - need to try something that has potential at least. Maybe only be 3 weeks or so this time. Hope he crushes the ball! 🤞

Posted

Good luck to Luke Keaschall. He brings energy. While the young pup has been fighting it at AAA thus far from game to game, he does look for his pitch and makes himself a tough out. 

Find it hard to believe Correa needs to go on IL. Castro must be hurting worse than we thought or perhaps Larnach has a more significant injury than suspected as we have seen him hobbling. I guess we should hope the day off today and then the time in warmer Atlanta mean everyone is good to go. Someone needs to sent somewhere, nurse's office or AAA.

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