Three Reasons to Still Be Excited About the 2025 Minnesota Twins

[Eric Blonigen]

Yes, this team has been frustrating to watch, and yes, we all expected more. But, the sky is not falling.

Image courtesy of Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Look, the 2025 season has not begun according to plan, and I’m not going to pretend otherwise. The pitching staff has forgotten how to throw to first (or second, apparently). A lot of the hitters aren’t hitting. Don’t even get me started on all. the. injuries. And yet, the season is still young. There are more than 140 games still to play. The Twins are five back in the winnable AL Central division headed into Saturday’s game against Atlanta. And, there are a few bright spots that should give us hope as well as reasons to continue to watch.

Byron Buxton is back
When Byron Buxton is right, he’s so much fun to watch. This offseason, I wrote that he might be ready to run again. Through 18 games, it sure seems like I was right. He has stolen four bases in four attempts. He’s also made several aggressive base running moves that have helped the team. In Wednesday’s game alone, he took second on a bloop single that barely left the infield. Then, in the 10th inning, while on second as the Manfred Man, he scored the winning run on a similarly-hit single from Ty France. Players not named Buxton just can’t do these things. Oh, and he’s played his typical caliber of defense in center.

Coming into the season, there were thoughts that he might begin a legitimate decline phase. While his bat speed is down slightly, he’s shown signs of truly waking up at the plate. In the past seven games, he has put up an .800 OPS. He looks healthier than he has in years, and if he keeps it up, his return to form could be a fun storyline all summer.

The free agent signing are actually…good?
Was I excited about either Harrison Bader or Ty France when the Twins signed them? Not at all. They seemed like low-wattage additions to a team desperately in need of at least one more big bat. You know what though? Early signs say I was wrong. France has looked better than expected at first, and has hit better than he has over the past couple seasons. He was even the AL Player of the Week last week.

In fact, those two hitters have been the best on the active roster by fWAR. Both are on pace for close to 5.0 fWAR on the season if they keep their pace up. Will they? Probably not. Let’s not be hasty. It is a small sample size, after all. But, early signs suggest that even with regression, both are shaping up to at least merit being everyday regulars. That portends good things once some of the other hitters get healthy (looking at you, Royce Lewis, Carlos Correa, and Matt Wallner).

On the pitching front, Danny Coulombe was the sole addition to the bullpen, and he has looked good as well. Sporting a shiny 0.00 ERA across nine games, his peripherals are good too. His strikeouts are down just a bit, but he’s only given up two hits and a walk in 6-2/3 innings pitched. In all, those are some impressive results for less than $11 million, combined.

The depth is basically ready
The Triple-A roster is loaded – even after injuries and call ups. On the hitting side, Luke Keaschall got his first call up, less than two years after being drafted. To be clear, it’s probably just a bit premature as Keaschall has all of 14 games played at Triple-A, but it’s a great sign, and he looked really good in his first game with the Twins. Emmanuel Rodriguez may not be far behind, particularly if Castro spends time on the shelf or if Wallner’s IL stint is much longer than the minimum. Carson McCusker could be a reinforcement as a big bat.

On the pitching side, David Festa has acquitted himself well in his first two starts of the year with the Twins. Beyond Festa, Zebby Matthews has looked electric, flirting with 100 MPH on his heater while retaining his signature command. Andrew Morris, Travis Adams, and Marco Raya aren’t far behind, and could play a role if needed.

It’s been such a long time since the Twins had even one strong starting candidate across town that now having five is a legitimate luxury. For many teams, losing a pitcher of Pablo Lopez’ caliber would cause a significant challenge for the rotation; for the Twins, it’s still unfortunate, but not devastating.

So, here’s my reminder to all Twins fans. While the team can be frustrating to follow, there’s still a lot to be excited about. And it’s baseball season! We wait for this all winter — why not enjoy it while we can?

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[Patzky]

Brock Stewart has returned as well. Last night was a very demoralizing game, similar to the Astros game with an even larger lead lost. 

An energized team with the new additions of Stewart and Keaschall faces a very easy schedule next week. It's time to make hay.

[Whitey333]

Yes very demoralizing game last night.  Richardson scratched rom starting tonight.  Topa to start.  What???  Nice article but I think the Twins skywhike not falling is getting close to that.  Buxton physically looks good and plays solid defense.  But like usual he's not hitting.  Unless of course you consider a batting average just slightly above .200 good.  Correa has been bad since the beginning of spring training but looks like he may be getting better.  Way too many ifs.  Way too many underperformed veterans.  Way too many unproven young " prospects."  Prove me wrong Twins.  Just win baby.

[BillyBallLives]

Three reasons?

That was two more than I expected. 

The youth on this team might yet surprise us.

[Fire Dan Gladden]

Don't you know the rules around here? If you can't say something negative, don't say anything at all. 

[Patzky]

1 hour ago, BillyBallLives said:

Three reasons?

That was two more than I expected. 

The youth on this team might yet surprise us.

I want two more youths and I want them named Zebby and McCusker

 

[Eric Blonigen]

2 hours ago, Whitey333 said:

Yes very demoralizing game last night.  Richardson scratched rom starting tonight.  Topa to start.  What???  Nice article but I think the Twins skywhike not falling is getting close to that.  Buxton physically looks good and plays solid defense.  But like usual he's not hitting.  Unless of course you consider a batting average just slightly above .200 good.  Correa has been bad since the beginning of spring training but looks like he may be getting better.  Way too many ifs.  Way too many underperformed veterans.  Way too many unproven young " prospects."  Prove me wrong Twins.  Just win baby.

Topa is going to be an opener; Woods Richardson will be the bulk guy. May help get an extra inning or so out of him.

[Eric Blonigen]

3 minutes ago, Patzky said:

I want two more youths and I want them named Zebby and McCusker

 

Yeah! They are fun, for sure. I’m sure it’s just a matter of time.

[Blyleven2011]

Thanks for the reminder that the baseball season is upon us , 

I wasn't sure what is was called ...

But seriously  , buxton is playing loose and fun to watch ...

The 3 acquisitions have played better than anyone thought  and yes it appears we have a surplus of young arms ready to take a turn or two , maybe even secure a permanent spot in the rotation  ...

[bean5302]

Personally, I'm looking forward to a sale of the franchise! That's my hope so please don't take it from me, haha.

[Eric Blonigen]

5 hours ago, Whitey333 said:

Yes very demoralizing game last night.  Richardson scratched rom starting tonight.  Topa to start.  What???  Nice article but I think the Twins skywhike not falling is getting close to that.  Buxton physically looks good and plays solid defense.  But like usual he's not hitting.  Unless of course you consider a batting average just slightly above .200 good.  Correa has been bad since the beginning of spring training but looks like he may be getting better.  Way too many ifs.  Way too many underperformed veterans.  Way too many unproven young " prospects."  Prove me wrong Twins.  Just win baby.

Buxton has actually been a league-average hitter so far, with a 100 wRC+. 

[Eric Blonigen]

58 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

Personally, I'm looking forward to a sale of the franchise! That's my hope so please don't take it from me, haha.

Can’t come soon enough.

[BH67]

19-40 in their last 59 games. Your optimism is warranted, Eric, but it's not worth my attention to watch it unfold.

[DocBauer]

First, is there someway everyone can be on the same platform for TD posts? It's silly that we have light and dark options if we choose one or the other and can't see our preference. 

Sorry, but ridiculous that I have to sometimes change my viewer profile to actually read the OP.

Yes Buxton is encouraging beyond expectations. And his bat is heating up. He looks healthy and borderline amazing so far. The Buxton we all want.

Bader has been better than expected. He's a good ballplayer. But he's not a difference maker.  Sorry. That doesn't diminish good things that he has done, and might yet do.

France has been as good or better than hoped for depending on your perspective. 

Despite a few meltdowns, the pitching has been solid or better and showing signs of being even better. It's still the offense that has held this team down, despite a few meltdown moments. 

Optimism? Correa's wrist is OK and he gets going. Wallner is back soon. Lewis is back soon. Latnach rebounds soon. 

A lot of "soon" going on.

A healthy Lee makes a difference. Julien re-discovering himself makes a difference. Keaschall as Rodriguez can make a difference. There's more than a couple pitchers who can help make a difference. 

ALL OF THESE THINGS can make a difference and still make this a fun and interesting season. But what makes it much better is a little better health, and the veteran players remembering how to hit again. 

 

 

[Hubie29]

Don't forget the most important! When we get Wallner, Lopez and Lewis back, it will be like making 3 HUGE trades! Puke...

[LambchoP]

Keaschal and Buxton have been fun to watch. With Larnach struggling and now Keirsey being hurt now would be the time to give Mccusker his chance. Same with Zebby and Festa. Let these prospects play and see what we have for next year. Is there any info on Eeles and when he's supposed to be playing again?

[dxpavelka]

On 4/19/2025 at 3:50 PM, Fire Dan Gladden said:

Don't you know the rules around here? If you can't say something negative, don't say anything at all. 

Yes.  The sky IS falling.

 

[DJL44]

On 4/19/2025 at 8:22 PM, Eric Blonigen said:

Buxton has actually been a league-average hitter so far, with a 100 wRC+. 

With great defense and speed.

[minthaylasa]

On 4/20/2025 at 11:42 AM, DocBauer said:

First, is there someway everyone can be on the same platform for TD posts? It's silly that we have light and dark options if we choose one or the other and can't see our preference. 

Sorry, but ridiculous that I have to sometimes change my viewer profile to actually read the OP.

Yes Buxton is encouraging beyond expectations. And his bat is heating up. He looks healthy and borderline amazing so far. The Buxton we all want.

Bader has been better than expected. He's a good ballplayer. But he's not a difference maker.  Sorry. That doesn't diminish good things that he has done, and might yet do.

France has been as good or better than hoped for depending on your perspective. 

Despite a few meltdowns, the pitching has been solid or better and showing signs of being even better. It's still the offense that has held this team down, despite a few meltdown moments. 

Optimism? Correa's wrist is OK and he gets going. Wallner is back soon. Lewis is back soon. Latnach rebounds soon. 

A lot of "soon" going on.

A healthy Lee makes a difference. Julien re-discovering himself makes a difference. Keaschall as Rodriguez can make a difference. There's more than a couple pitchers who can help make a difference. 

ALL OF THESE THINGS can make a difference and still make this a fun and interesting season. But what makes it much better is a little better health, and the veteran  67 Clicker players remembering how to hit again. 

 

 

Eric, I appreciate your perspective on the Minnesota Twins' current situation. It's easy to get caught up in the frustration of the moment, especially when we have high hopes for our team. Your reminder that "the sky is not falling" is a much-needed reality check. In times like these, I often turn to various sources for analysis and perspective to keep my fandom in check.