The Core Conundrum: Twins Hitters Are Trending Downward Across the Roster

[PatPfund]

Some of this is the product of a bad season with multiple players having down years, some of it is trading almost everyone NOT having a bad year at the deadline, and some of it is filling gaps with players not good enough.

I have hopes a new calendar year (and hopefully a more engaged manager who will add some structure, coach up ability and hold players accountable for non-performance) will help players like Jeffers, Lewis, Lee, and even Julien (if he is still here in the spring) step up. Maybe Wallner will go to one of the schools and figure out how to hit a high fastball, because he isn’t a big leaguer for long if he doesn’t; probably should buy a 1B mitt and drill there as well.

Most of the rest of these players (other than Rodriguez and your top three) are marginal. A couple still have a bit of prospect shine and might become bona fide roster players, but unless they step up, they are just holding spots until better players (like Gonzalez, Emma, Jenkins, Culpepper, Fedko, , or a solid/cheap vet or two) come along.

[jmlease1]

13 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Lewis and Keaschall have shown flashes of potential. Jeffers is good enough to be the starting catcher on a playoff team. 

Heck, look at the corner OF for the Dodgers and Jays; a full season of Austin Martin might have made those teams quite happy...

[RpR]

1 hour ago, Coach Wheels said:

 Wallner, hometown guy, gets more time; maybe at 1st base?

 

Lurch at First -  the spirit of Sano.

[Major League Ready]

2 hours ago, NYCTK said:

If you're an immobile statue it's not of much value to have a great glove. Brooks Lee is as slow as an up-the-middle defender can be, and that unfortunately extends to his range as a defender too.

But, he should be considered for the 2026 job, if not given it outright, seeing as the season is a repositioning year, letting the young talent settle into their roles and hoping the slew of young pitchers take a step forward. If he doesn't cut it at SS, he's a player that will be a MIF bench role player, still getting 80-100 starts a season. 

Looking forward to 2027, how many players currently on the 40 man roster do you want to see?

C:
C2: Pereda

1B: 
2B: Keaschall 
SS: Culpepper 
3B: Lewis
MIF: Lee

LF: Jenkins
CF: Rodriguez
RF: Buxton
OF: Roden

DH: Wallner
13M: Martin

 

This still looks like a weak team (with obvious holes) but holes that can be spackled. But like mike said, the needs are pretty large, and absolutely points to the Twins needing to trade a player like Ryan.

Not saying this is the best package it's the system I know and I think is close to a fair trade, but something like Ryan to the Mets for Jett Williams and Ryan Clifford. Moving Culpepper to 2B, Clifford to 1B, Keaschall to LF, Roden off the team and Rodriguez to the 4th OF role. 

Point being, Falvey needs to be very active in order to make this team an actual contender. 

 

I think what you are saying and I agree, the roster is going to get a big-time makeover over the course of 2026.  IDK who ends up in the OF by the end of 2026 but the one you have listed has great potential.  There are a lot of good possibilities.  I think we will be pretty happy with the OF by the start of 2027.

The INF does not have nearly as many candidates.  SS is Culpepper's for the taking but a big trade of a SS could really shake things up.  Culpepper could end up at 3B if Lewis does not step it up considerably.  @tonyandrodney has been advocating for position players and while I generally agree with getting the best talent regardless of position, trading for a really good SS would be ideal at the point.

1B & 3B are the biggest question marks. I sure would like to see Lewis come alive.  That would really help the cause.  I would not even try to predict what happens with 1B this year.  The good news is they have a pretty good shot at making a big leap forward by the start of 2027.

[Doctor Gast]

It seems like Buxton, poorly developed players, screwed up players, AAAA players, overextended defensively players & and injury-prone players. Many should be gone before the season starts. Pretty sad. Way to go, Falvey! Offensively, I project Buxton to be his healthy self at CF, Keaschall, plays 1B/DH stays healthy & is relocated to LF later in the season, Martin is allowed to be himself & he flourishes at 2B. All 3 will lead the running game.

Lewis will find himself, after being confused & be that player we all expect him to be. Lee will continue to improve & be solid. Wallner is a big question mark. He's OK but I'd him to be more clutch. We have a lot of LHH cOFers; Wallner, Emma, Larnach, Rondon, Keirsey, Outman & Clemens who can play there. All on the 40-man. Jeffers & Larnach have adjusted & have good ABs but less HRs. Catching will be a total mess, like I projected years ago. I expect worthless Julien & damaged Miranda to be DFAed with a bunch of others on this list.

This is being optimistic in that we get a good manager & coaching staff to replace those who should be gone. The last 2 years we've had holes that weren't plugged. Now we have more holes than a sinking ship with no way of plugging them even if Falvey wanted to.

[LambchoP]

Hitting is contagious. So is slumping....

[KBJ1]

Flotsam on a 40 man roster should consist of no more than 3-5 players.

One could argue that 50% of the Twins 40 man is flotsam, including the entire bullpen.

 

[HerbieFan]

This.  This is THE biggest problem.  I guess we can hope Rocco and his staff were the main reason for absolutely ZERO progress from their position players.  I've felt for a few years it was more of an organizational failure.  Stay tuned....

[Dawgzilla]

Outside Luke and Buck, no one excited me.  Martin has potential to be ultra utility man...not bad!  Relief staff is not good, none would be missed if left unprotected and/or traded.  Outside top two Twins starters, everyone else can be had, including Ober...his arm is shot ..topped out at 89 mph with fastball last handful of starts, which gets destroyed in MLB.

[Larry Janisewski]

5 hours ago, Doctor Wu said:

Jhonny Pereda probably not a big-league player, and unlikely to stick around. Did hit a little bit in 30 at-bats though.

Sure, his time up with the Twins was brief, and he's already 29, but I think he showed enough that he COULD be the backup catcher we need for next season. And he already DID have some MLB experience before the Twins picked him up, so I wouldn't write him off just yet. 

Not to mention, if Jeffers gets traded somebody has to catch.

[Parfigliano]

1 hour ago, Doctor Gast said:

It seems like Buxton, poorly developed players, screwed up players, AAAA players, overextended defensively players & and injury-prone players. Many should be gone before the season starts. Pretty sad. Way to go, Falvey! Offensively, I project Buxton to be his healthy self at CF, Keaschall, plays 1B/DH stays healthy & is relocated to LF later in the season, Martin is allowed to be himself & he flourishes at 2B. All 3 will lead the running game.

Lewis will find himself, after being confused & be that player we all expect him to be. Lee will continue to improve & be solid. Wallner is a big question mark. He's OK but I'd him to be more clutch. We have a lot of LHH cOFers; Wallner, Emma, Larnach, Rondon, Keirsey, Outman & Clemens who can play there. All on the 40-man. Jeffers & Larnach have adjusted & have good ABs but less HRs. Catching will be a total mess, like I projected years ago. I expect worthless Julien & damaged Miranda to be DFAed with a bunch of others on this list.

This is being optimistic in that we get a good manager & coaching staff to replace those who should be gone. The last 2 years we've had holes that weren't plugged. Now we have more holes than a sinking ship with no way of plugging them even if Falvey wanted to.

Keirsey and Outman are easy DFAs.

[big dog]

So this year almost everyone got worse. 
Meanwhile, our scapegoat hitting coach is one game away from the WS. 
Great decision there, guys. 
 

[tony&rodney]

The 2025 Twins season did not go the way the team or its fans hoped. Neither did the 2024 season. The two together have left a bad taste and resulted in a myriad of ideas to seek an escape from the morass that is now present. The World Series hasn't started yet and we (Twins fans) are searching for answers and guessing at options for the future. At the same time some fans have lost all hope in the leadership of the franchise. While fan can tinker in multiple ways with plans, directions, and suggestions for roster change, it doesn't seem to productive or realistic to expect either a quick ownership or front office change. Wishing is definitely an option, but we don't have any say. We don't have any say on rosters either but it is a normal process for fans to think of various types of lineups and acquisitions.

One observation about the players on the 40 person roster is that there is a large number of players whose value has been diminished. The front office must see this trend as well. Will we see some unexpected transactions/trades to stem the decline? I'm hoping the team begins their changes (at least a couple) in November. As such I'm waiting. If 2025 closes without any moves because the Twins front office is "engaged in numerous ongoing conversations/negotiations", I'm going to be very worried. The trend is definitely down. November and December are the time to halt the slide.

[RpR]

1 hour ago, Larry Janisewski said:

Not to mention, if Jeffers gets traded somebody has to catch.

Pereda makes Jeffers look like Johnny Bench.

[Major League Ready]

Rodon, Lee, and Lewis were underperforming but they are likely to get an opportunity to succeed.  Clemens might get a chance to start the year as well just because they have few options and probably don't look to solve that problem through free agency.  Martin was trending up so he gets a shot in spite of several players competing for that position.  So, where do they start and what's the succession plan if players fail?  Here is how I see it.

C – Jeffers
1B – Clemens >>> Keaschall / Fedko / Menedez
2B – Keaschall >>> Martin >>> Julien
3B – Lewis >>> ?
SS – Lee >>> Culpepper / Fitzgerald
LF – Martin >>> Jenkins / Gonzalez / Rodriguez / Fedko / Rosario
CF – Buxton >>> Jenkins / Rodriguez / Fedko / Outman
RF – Rodon  >>> Rodriguez / Gonzalez / Rosario

Jenkins is pushing someone out.  Ideally, Martin plays well and Jenkins pushes his way on to the roster.  The creative option could be to move Martin to 2nd and Keaschall to 1B.  Now, if they could land a SS in trade, that player competes with Culpepper for starting SS, and one of them takes 3B or 2B if Lewis or Martin struggle.  Point being, if they do trade Ryan or Lopez, this might be a situation where a specific position should be targeted if possible.   One trade could make quite a difference.

[Linus]

Here is a different way to look at it. If we want a team that can advance in the playoffs we need improvement from every position except CF and catcher.  Can some of that improvement come from current players? Maybe but that was the plan the last couple years and we know how that worked out. 7 spots to improve is a lot. 

[JADBP]

5 hours ago, PatPfund said:

Some of this is the product of a bad season with multiple players having down years, some of it is trading almost everyone NOT having a bad year at the deadline, and some of it is filling gaps with players not good enough.

I agree with you PatPfund, but the mostly on your 2nd point.  The Twins COLLAPSED after the trade deadline.  They had an up and down year before the AS break or trade deadline, but the evening the Twins players watched Falvey go freeking bezerk at the trade deadline was too much.  They simply gave up.

I can imagine that the trade deadline madness felt like a sharp slap across the face.  Some players expressed this in the following days.  I'd imagine that the [particularly position] players felt like management was saying "We don't trust you, we don't believe in you, we don't want you, etc."  It was obvious that every hitter on the team simply stopped trying to excel...just mailing it in to get through the rest of the season.  You could see it in their sloppy swings.  Every batting stat took a dive August.  

Now, you can blame that on the players or the coaches or management or the weather or whatever.  I am sure it is a combination of all of the above.  But the reality is that management chose to go in a different direction and I am sure that many of the position players mentioned in are not in the long term Twins plans, and they have earned it. 

This is a game of continuous/regular training, instruction, adaption, and improvement.  This was Rocco's job and he failed.  Sure, he has coaches do much of the work but he was responsible.  

We all know that opposing pitching staffs study the data and films of, say, Lee and Lewis, to find and exploit the holes in their batting approach.  It is up to the coaching staff to continuously evaluate the same data/films to upgrade their hitting to close the holes.  We just never seemed to figure this out. 

The sad result is that, once opposing pitchers adapted to, say Julien and Miranda, and they never adapted to close those holes, they just got worse and worse at the plate until all confidence was destroyed.  Sadly, it ruined their career.  It could have been different if the Twins coaching did their job helping these players adapt and improve. 

Now, we have a team largely filled with weak hitters and some promises in MiLB.  

[Richie the Rally Goat]

11 hours ago, mike8791 said:

Nick, realistic summary of our offensive offense, but I draw a different conclusion.  Your analysis points to the necessity of trading one of our top of the rotation pitchers - either Lopez or Ryan - for a true cleanup hitter.  No, not a top prospect, but a young major leaguer(preferrably a 1B or DH) emerging as a 30HR/100RBI threat in 2026.  Such an acquisition, along with a medium-priced FA with 20-25HR/80 rbi history, could greatly ease the pressure on the rest of the lineup, especially young guys like Lee and Lewis(and maybe Wallner/Jeffers) who have demonstrated at least some ability in the past.  If one of our top prospects,e.g., Jenkins, ER, or GG also emerges, this offense could improve markedly.

Granted, this scenario is more hope than reality, but it is one path to contention that is feasible. Trade from strength(our rotation), rely on some improvement from guys like SWR, Mathews, Bradley, and/or Abel, and add a couple of veteran relievers and the window could open again.  I know, it's asking a lot of a FO who has Failed more than succeeded and ownership that just doesn't care, but it could happen even with the weaknesses you cite in your article.

Agreed, with a slight wrinkle. I think the likely return on the offseason trading away of pitching would be prospects to arrive in 2028.

[RpR]

Looking at this I would say the collapse started in June.

[Blyleven2011]

12 hours ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

Without being an article about the owners, front office or the managerial and coaching staff, this article points to failure from top to bottom in the Twins organization.  I am going to have to change my expectations for the Twins. It looks like many in the Twins organization just gave up for the second year in a row. . 

Giving up won't get you anywhere near a hall of fame consideration  ...

Try harder twins 

[1985Fan]

Indicates what a failure the Twins player development system has been. Also shows how flawed Falvey’s talent evaluation eye is. I suspect that’s due to his total reliance on analytics in everything he does while ignoring the basics/fundamentals and the human side of baseball. 
I hope that young guys like Rosario get a shot next spring. There should be a wide open competition for the 26 man roster with all of the holes there are. Go with the kids that have proven something in MiLB instead of promoting based on hype. Fedko is another kid that at least deserves a shot. What is there to lose? Even Sabato should be given a chance with the black hole that is first base. 
I remember Puckett was promoted to the big leagues because there wasn’t anyone else! He learned how to hit for power at the MLB level under the tutelage of the great Tony O as hitting coach. You just never know 😀

[dxpavelka]

14 hours ago, NYCTK said:

If you're an immobile statue it's not of much value to have a great glove. Brooks Lee is as slow as an up-the-middle defender can be, and that unfortunately extends to his range as a defender too.

But, he should be considered for the 2026 job, if not given it outright, seeing as the season is a repositioning year, letting the young talent settle into their roles and hoping the slew of young pitchers take a step forward. If he doesn't cut it at SS, he's a player that will be a MIF bench role player, still getting 80-100 starts a season. 

Looking forward to 2027, how many players currently on the 40 man roster do you want to see?

C:
C2: Pereda

1B: 
2B: Keaschall 
SS: Culpepper 
3B: Lewis
MIF: Lee

LF: Jenkins
CF: Rodriguez
RF: Buxton
OF: Roden

DH: Wallner
13M: Martin

 

This still looks like a weak team (with obvious holes) but holes that can be spackled. But like mike said, the needs are pretty large, and absolutely points to the Twins needing to trade a player like Ryan.

Not saying this is the best package it's the system I know and I think is close to a fair trade, but something like Ryan to the Mets for Jett Williams and Ryan Clifford. Moving Culpepper to 2B, Clifford to 1B, Keaschall to LF, Roden off the team and Rodriguez to the 4th OF role. 

Point being, Falvey needs to be very active in order to make this team an actual contender. 

 

You don't get better when your best players play for other teams

[dxpavelka]

14 hours ago, DJL44 said:

Lee is a below average middle-infield defender. Hudson and Castillo played 2B, not SS. I'd take Cristian Guzman over Lee.

that's not saying much

 

[the_brute_squad]

I have no doubt the "droopy dog" attitude from the skipper had a role in the players hitting woes.

[dxpavelka]

23 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

Regression in MLB for our prospects has been a trend in Rocco's years.  Whether him or the coaches it is a big failure.  Now we hope on Walker, Rodriguez, Gonzales but what are the expectations for them to continue to progress.  Wallner and Lewis and Julien and Miranda all had a decent start then the floor gave way.  

At least we can rely on the bullpen (sarcasm in case you wonder). 

a bullpen is probably the easiest part of a baseball team to rebuild.

[NYCTK]

8 hours ago, dxpavelka said:

You don't get better when your best players play for other teams

This actually happens all the time, especially in baseball. 

[dxpavelka]

1 minute ago, NYCTK said:

This actually happens all the time, especially in baseball. 

I can cite countless examples.  Bert Blylevin traded to the Rangers.  Rod Carew traded to the Rangers.  Johan Santana to the Mets.  I won't even bring up Lou Brock.  How about Frank Robinson for Milt Pappas.  I'll even cross sports.  KG.  Randy Moss.  Trading your stars just makes your team unwatchable.  Pass.

[mikelink45]

1 hour ago, dxpavelka said:

a bullpen is probably the easiest part of a baseball team to rebuild.

That is easy to say, but all 30 teams are building BPs and the track record says it is not that easy except in theory.  What we need is what the Dodgers did last series - let the SP go deep and even a full nine once in a while. 

[Major League Ready]

12 hours ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

Agreed, with a slight wrinkle. I think the likely return on the offseason trading away of pitching would be prospects to arrive in 2028.

I would hope the headliner in a trade for Ryan or Lopez is not an A baller.  I would expect it's the kind of high impact AA or AAA prospect that does not linger in the minors.  There is a decent chance that type of player is up this year if they are already in AAA or early 2027 for a guy currently in AA.  If they get 3 other guys in the trade, they might not be up until 2028.  That's just fine if the headliner comes up early in 2027 and provides a boost like Keaschall did this year just minus the injury.
 

[UpstateNewYorker]

FWIW, this a glowing article about Dave Popkins' success as a hitting coach with the Blue Jays. The interesting thing to me is that Popkins came highly recommended to the Jays from Baldelli and Tingler  ... which makes it seem like his firing was Falvey's doing. 

https://www.si.com/mlb/hitting-strategy-blue-jays-alcs-win-world-series-berth-mariners