What Should the Twins Do About the Middle Infield?

[Alex Boxwell]

Image courtesy of © Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

Starting in early 2023, the Twins appeared to have the shortstop position figured out for the foreseeable future, with a Carlos Correa megadeal. Correa has since been shipped back to the Astros, though, and we now have a 189-game sample of Brooks Lee. According to Baseball Savant, last season, he was well below average in batting, baserunning and fielding. However, he did do two things well: squaring up the ball and avoiding strikeouts. In total, he tallied -0.8 bWAR last year. It was really, really bad, but there's a glimmer of hope.

What’s the answer for a player like Lee, who needs to get better and is on a team that claims it would like to compete in 2026? He profiles substantially better at second base. With his poor arm strength and slow feet, he is far more palatable on the right side of the infield. He has good actions as a defender, but the reality of the majors is that if he’s going to be a soft-hitting shortstop, he needs to bring above-average defense to that spot. I just don’t see it. Swing him over to second base, and let him continue to develop the bat. He needs to be a high-contact switch-hitter, and a Swiss army knife when constructing a batting order.

That introduces a new question: What should the team do with Luke Keaschall? I love his offensive makeup, but he was extremely clunky at second base. His arm was also a source of tsuris and agita. The Twins have been searching for another right-handed bat in the outfield every offseason for a few years now. Left field could be the long-term fit for Keaschall The organization should obviously continue to rehab his arm and have him on a strict throwing program, but with his athletic ability, a move to left could be great for him and the ball club.

So, what about the Twins’ need for a shortstop? They have a great candidate to be a long-term solution, in Kaelen Culpepper. I love his swing, and I expect him to knock on the door of the big leagues in 2026. But again, we return to the fact that they want to compete in 2026. It’s not a real answer to say this guy who finished in Double A is going to hop onto the big club after spring training, and they’re rolling with the rookie. That is, it’s not a real answer if you’re trying to be a serious threat in 2026. Regardless of how well he hits in Fort Myers this March, we should expect to see Culpepper in St. Paul, where he will likely be hitting in front of Walker Jenkins for a month or two (talk about a fun Triple-A squad). 

Well, now what? I just moved Brooks Lee to second base, Keaschall to the outfield, and declared Culpepper to be unready for a club trying to be a contender. With some alleged spending money, the Twins can go to a tried-and-true method: the stopgap shortstop. It’s an extremely unsexy play, but it makes so much sense for the current state of the ball club. Pending his price tag, a guy like Ha-Seong Kim (coming off an injury =-plagued season, likely looking for a prove-it deal) would be a phenomenal fit. 

This gives us a good look at the infield, with Royce Lewis improving defensively and Kim always grading well at short. Lee will get one final chance to be the answer in the big leagues, and if so, the team will have a long-term home for Keaschall’s top-of-the-order bat and legs. If Culpepper rakes and he gets the call, bump Kim to second or keep Lee rolling, depending on who is playing better. This will allow the other to fall into the “day-off” infielder role, since they can each fill in at all the infield spots.

The stopgap move is flat-out boring, but I think it would be a sneaky big move with the Twins' current personnel. This could also give Culpepper a smooth runway to the bigs letting him take the reins as the shortstop when he is ready. The move puts the roster in a very healthy spot to potentially move Trevor Larnach for a bullpen arm or a prospect, which seems increasingly likely as we get further into December. This course of action isn’t ESPN headline-worthy, but it’s a sensible move that could pay huge dividends in the short- and long-term outlook for the Twins.

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[Cory Engelhardt]

I would LOVE Ha Seong Kim on this team, either at SS or 2B. Up the middle defense he would bring would really help here. 

[old nurse]

Yup, moving over to 2b will cure all of Brooks Lee’s issues. The range he is said to lack will be cured 

[old nurse]

9 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

I would LOVE Ha Seong Kim on this team, either at SS or 2B. Up the middle defense he would bring would really help here. 

Only if his shoulder is healed. His throw in seriously declined last year

[thelanges5]

Sign Kim and trade Larchad for a reliever with mlb experience. Sounds good to me!

[MGX]

It's a creative idea that could work.

I'd like to see Keaschall get a chance at 2B, he has the athleticism to play up the middle & after a healthy off-season we should see what he can do there for at least a few months. 

With that said the idea of signing/trading for a starting SS like Kim is a worthy gamble. I like Brooks Lee, but IMO he hasn't earned a starting role on this team so why move people around to give him one. He can get plenty of playing time as a utility player to see if he can earn a starting role. 

[Rosterman]

We need a long-term solution at first base. Moving Keaschall to the outfield... what do we do when Jenkins and Rodriguez come calling? Brooks Lee, right now, at best is the super utility guy for the infield. Advancing Culpepper early any worse than playing Lee everyday... who has also been learning on the job the past two seasons. Always felt Lee needed more time at AAA as well as regular play at ONE position, if you felt you wanted him playing one position.

The Twins are a mess. Culpepper was pencilled in at third base in Basseball America's future Twins outlook, with Royce moving to... FIRST BASE. At some point the Twins have to make decisions at lower levels on the playing position projection of their players and stick with it.

[Cory Engelhardt]

10 minutes ago, MGX said:

It's a creative idea that could work.

I'd like to see Keaschall get a chance at 2B, he has the athleticism to play up the middle & after a healthy off-season we should see what he can do there for at least a few months. 

With that said the idea of signing/trading for a starting SS like Kim is a worthy gamble. I like Brooks Lee, but IMO he hasn't earned a starting role on this team so why move people around to give him one. He can get plenty of playing time as a utility player to see if he can earn a starting role. 

It really does sound like Keaschall is going to get run in left and some center field. Certainly he can also fill in at 2b and even 1b, but I get the sense from quotes in the last week that he may be playing a LOT of left field.

[Jeff K]

That is an interesting plan.  With that in mind, the Twins have so many promising young outfielders, that I would like to see them in left and right field next season.  I still think Keaschall can be a solid 2nd baseman.  That leaves the problem at SS.  I think the Twins ceiling in 26 is decent; but not in contention for anything other than a possibly watered down central.  I'm willing to wait at SS for Culpepper to be ready.  If he doesn't develop as hoped/expected, then the Twins have to make a move at SS.

[rv78]

11 minutes ago, Rosterman said:

We need a long-term solution at first base. Moving Keaschall to the outfield... what do we do when Jenkins and Rodriguez come calling? Brooks Lee, right now, at best is the super utility guy for the infield. Advancing Culpepper early any worse than playing Lee everyday... who has also been learning on the job the past two seasons. Always felt Lee needed more time at AAA as well as regular play at ONE position, if you felt you wanted him playing one position.

The Twins are a mess. Culpepper was pencilled in at third base in Basseball America's future Twins outlook, with Royce moving to... FIRST BASE. At some point the Twins have to make decisions at lower levels on the playing position projection of their players and stick with it.

Not really, they want everyone to be a super-utility player so they can suck at every position.

[tony&rodney]

This is a thoughtful post that does a good job of developing the author's viewpoint. If you like to read about and discuss baseball, you should appreciate reading this post. I appreciate the author's work.

The Twins have a direction according to some people but it escapes me. I'm fine not understanding. When I look at the Twins middle infield I think I see something different. Luke Keaschall does look rough at second base in the sense that he is herky-jerky in his actions and often looks uncomfortable with his throws. My rough evaluation is that his throws get guys out but I do hope he improves. The turn at the bag on double plays is pretty quick. Where I see Keaschall as a strong second baseman is in his range. LK has quick feet and covers quite a bit of ground. I could see him being a good stalwart at 2B. I could also see him being moved to 1B and being successful. Keaschall would also, potentially, be really good in left field. Right now left field looks like it has Austin Martin, Alan Roden, and either Jenkins or Rodriguez. My preference is to sign Bichette for 2B and move Keaschall to 1B.

Brooks Lee is pretty slow and does not have a rocket arm. He does have a reasonably decent first step, good instincts, and is smooth with the glove (sure-handed). Lee is not a good choice at 2B because his range is poor. Ideally the Twins would have someone who covers more ground and has a big arm for shortstop. Until such time. Brooks Lee will be fine. The options are to trade for a more talented physical specimen or take a closer look at Kaelen Culpepper in March. The decision to put KC in St. Paul in December is safe but putting limitations on talent is not a good idea. Let Culpepper (and others) show whether they are ready. Brooks Lee would be a fabulous guy to start at all four infield positions when a player needs a day off. Lastly, there is the totally unlikely scenario where the Twins gamble on acquiring unproven high end talent. This could be a trade for Jordan Lawler or going after Leodalis De Vries. The Twins could entice the Dbacks or A's with handsome players.

I think the infield will be old free agent or Clemens at 1B, LK at 2B, Royce at 3B, and Lee at SS. Would an infield of Luke, Bo, Royce, and Kaelen or Leodalis with Brooks rotating everywhere be an option. It can be. 

[TJSweens]

39 minutes ago, old nurse said:

Yup, moving over to 2b will cure all of Brooks Lee’s issues. The range he is said to lack will be cured 

No, but moving Lee to a position that doesn't demand range like SS seems like a prudent move.

[Nashvilletwin]

Let’s take another young talent and move him around the diamond and screw with his head just like Rocco has done for years with so many of our prospects.  It’s just so stupid.

 

[tony&rodney]

4 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Let’s take another young talent and move him around the diamond and screw with his head just like Rocco has done for years with so many of our prospects.  It’s just so stupid.

 

I'm a big fan of having an established regular at each position. Sometimes reality intervenes though. Austin Martin has had a tough time getting playing time at a single position in his career. Will the Twins allow him to start and play as the leftfielder based on his performance in the last two months? Some versatility is a good idea. I don't have an answer for how much.

When mid August arrived last season Rocco was given the word and we saw quite a few changes in playing style as well as player usage. My guess is that while the manager actually runs the game, playing time and position usage ideas have come from above. I sure hope that changes this year with Derek Shelton in the dugout.

[old nurse]

19 minutes ago, TJSweens said:

No, but moving Lee to a position that doesn't demand range like SS seems like a prudent move.

A player who didn’t recover from shoulder surgery isn’t the answer, either. 

[rv78]

28 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

This is a thoughtful post that does a good job of developing the author's viewpoint. If you like to read about and discuss baseball, you should appreciate reading this post. I appreciate the author's work.

The Twins have a direction according to some people but it escapes me. I'm fine not understanding. When I look at the Twins middle infield I think I see something different. Luke Keaschall does look rough at second base in the sense that he is herky-jerky in his actions and often looks uncomfortable with his throws. My rough evaluation is that his throws get guys out but I do hope he improves. The turn at the bag on double plays is pretty quick. Where I see Keaschall as a strong second baseman is in his range. LK has quick feet and covers quite a bit of ground. I could see him being a good stalwart at 2B. I could also see him being moved to 1B and being successful. Keaschall would also, potentially, be really good in left field. Right now left field looks like it has Austin Martin, Alan Roden, and either Jenkins or Rodriguez. My preference is to sign Bichette for 2B and move Keaschall to 1B.

Brooks Lee is pretty slow and does not have a rocket arm. He does have a reasonably decent first step, good instincts, and is smooth with the glove (sure-handed). Lee is not a good choice at 2B because his range is poor. Ideally the Twins would have someone who covers more ground and has a big arm for shortstop. Until such time. Brooks Lee will be fine. The options are to trade for a more talented physical specimen or take a closer look at Kaelen Culpepper in March. The decision to put KC in St. Paul in December is safe but putting limitations on talent is not a good idea. Let Culpepper (and others) show whether they are ready. Brooks Lee would be a fabulous guy to start at all four infield positions when a player needs a day off. Lastly, there is the totally unlikely scenario where the Twins gamble on acquiring unproven high end talent. This could be a trade for Jordan Lawler or going after Leodalis De Vries. The Twins could entice the Dbacks or A's with handsome players.

I think the infield will be old free agent or Clemens at 1B, LK at 2B, Royce at 3B, and Lee at SS. Would an infield of Luke, Bo, Royce, and Kaelen or Leodalis with Brooks rotating everywhere be an option. It can be. 

Who are the handsome players the DBacks or A's would be enticed with?

[rv78]

15 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

I'm a big fan of having an established regular at each position. Sometimes reality intervenes though. Austin Martin has had a tough time getting playing time at a single position in his career. Will the Twins allow him to start and play as the leftfielder based on his performance in the last two months? Some versatility is a good idea. I don't have an answer for how much.

When mid August arrived last season Rocco was given the word and we saw quite a few changes in playing style as well as player usage. My guess is that while the manager actually runs the game, playing time and position usage ideas have come from above. I sure hope that changes this year with Derek Shelton in the dugout.

In August the Twins changed the way they played based on a suggestion from Tingler. Rocco nor Falvey were smart enough to come up with it and the ONLY reason why they tried it was because they knew they had nothing to lose. My guess is, both Rocco and Tingler already knew at that point their jobs were gone.

[Woof Bronzer]

28 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Let’s take another young talent and move him around the diamond and screw with his head just like Rocco has done for years with so many of our prospects.  It’s just so stupid.

 

I get your point but if a guy isn't good enough to stick at his "preferred" position then it would be equally stupid continuing to play him there to the detriment of the team wouldn't it?  I guess I'm saying there must be a compromise somewhere between "Player X must be able to hit and play anywhere" and "Player X must never be moved off his favorite position".  2026 is going to be make or break for Lee at SS, so if it doesn't go great he might be well served to start developing some other skills, such as versatility, that would allow him to continue his careers at the MLB level.  If he insists on playing shortstop then he might soon find himself doing that in the minors.  

[Major League Ready]

Lee is never going to be a good defensive SS.  Play him there until Culpepper is ready.  Trade Ryan if you can get a very good / major league ready or near ready middle infielder and move Keaschall into a 1B/OF role.   Now you have a great / cost controlled INF for the next 6 years.

[bean5302]

I'd hire a coach who understands how to coach defense... but that's just me.

 

[arby58]

1 hour ago, old nurse said:

Yup, moving over to 2b will cure all of Brooks Lee’s issues. The range he is said to lack will be cured 

To be fair, that isn't what the OP implied. It is a pretty common move when a shortstop doesn't have the arm or range (paging Jorge Polanco, Xander Bogaerts, and Jonathan Villar). I, too, was much more comfortable with Lee at 2B - and probably the Twins as well. They didn't play him regularly at SS until it was absolutely necessary. He started 15 games at SS prior to 8-1 (and 5 of those were while Correa was on the injured list), and 49 from then until the end of the season.

[arby58]

18 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

Lee is never going to be a good defensive SS.  Play him there until Culpepper is ready.  Trade Ryan if you can get a very good / major league ready or near ready middle infielder and move Keaschall into a 1B/OF role.   Now you have a great / inexpensive INF for the next 6 years.

If Culpepper is expected to be ready in late 2026 or 2027, what is the point of trading Ryan for a 'near ready middle infielder? I'm not even sure a very good/major league ready middle infielder would be my target IF the Twins were to trade Ryan (and recent events suggest they are not). I'd be looking for a young 1B 'thumper' or catcher.

[Dman]

That's certainly one way to do it.  Granted Lee probably needs more time, but his bat has been a bit of black hole and short is about the only way it plays right now IMO. I don't think moving him to second solves much.  Lee's bat was supposed to carry him and so far it hasn't.  if he doesn't improve I don't see how they can roster him and his .650 OPS.

If you put Keaschal in left what are you doing with Martin?  He was a great onbase bat with speed to steal bases and his defense improved in left as well.  Granted Keaschal is better in most every way as a hitter, but I am not sure his weak arm plays all that great in Left.  Would rather have a weaker armed player at second.

Moving Keaschal to left also causes a log jam for the outfield with Outman, Roden, Martin and Wallner.  Not to mention hopefully soon in 2026 Rodriguez and Gonzalez and with any luck maybe even Jenkins. I just don't see a better fit for Keaschal than 2nd base.

If you are doing this just for a solution to play Lee my recommendation would be to eliminate him from the infield altogether since his bat appears to be the weakest of any other infield player and he hasn't looked that great at 2nd base to me and third is Lewis's,  Just take out the .650 OPS guy or use him as your utility guy and keep Keaschal at second. I think that works best.

[chpettit19]

53 minutes ago, old nurse said:

A player who didn’t recover from shoulder surgery isn’t the answer, either. 

Kim's arm was still better than Lee's last year. He had the 22nd best arm amongst shortstops last year. In other words, better than 7 other starting SS. Certainly not as good as when he was a top 10-15 arm at the position, but still hanging on to SS worthy. Better arm than gold glove winning Jeremy Pena and JP Crawford, multiple time gold glove winner Dansby Swanson, superstars Mookie Betts, Corey Seager, and Bo Bichette, significantly better than Brooks Lee, glove only Taylor Walls, the guy an article on here suggested the Twins should go get for SS yesterday CJ Abrams, and essentially the same arm as all world defender Andres Gimenez.

I think you're severely overstating Kim's arm struggles last year.

[terrydactyls]

53 minutes ago, Woof Bronzer said:

I get your point but if a guy isn't good enough to stick at his "preferred" position then it would be equally stupid continuing to play him there to the detriment of the team wouldn't it?  I guess I'm saying there must be a compromise somewhere between "Player X must be able to hit and play anywhere" and "Player X must never be moved off his favorite position".  2026 is going to be make or break for Lee at SS, so if it doesn't go great he might be well served to start developing some other skills, such as versatility, that would allow him to continue his careers at the MLB level.  If he insists on playing shortstop then he might soon find himself doing that in the minors.  

Yikes.  No one ever said to keep a player at his "preferred position".  They said to find the best position for a player when they are in the minors, give him the proper coaching to make him proficient and then let him play at that position until is ready to be called up.

[jorgenswest]

They had a stretch of drafting bat first players. Keaschall arm strength was an issue before his injuries. He was a questions to stay at 2B when he was drafted. Julien couldn’t find a position home in college. He moved around the infield looking for a fit. Steer looks like 1B is his only position. It is the same for Encarnacion-Strand. Almost all major league second basemen started as shortstops in the minors. They were good shortstops in the context of college or the low minors. None of these players were full time shortstops in the minors. Keaschall and Steer player there one season but that was more out of necessity. Coaching defense will only get these players so far.

Is Keaschall’s arm adequate in the outfield? If not does he have enough bat to be a 1B? I hope so. He could be a multiyear solution at 1B. Can Martin play 2B well if Keaschall can handle left?

One other player shouldn’t be left out of the middle infield discussion. The Twins already have a 2B on the roster that had a bat and glove last year that was above average for the position. Kody Clemens wRC+ was 95 while major league second basemen had an overall wRC+ of 90. His OAA and DRS are both positive for last year and his career at 2B. Last year his OPS as a Twin against right handed pitching was .797 which is far above the league OPS for a 2B. Mix that with an above average glove at 2B and that has to help the team win games.

[terrydactyls]

"(and now some clarity on the team's direction)"

Clarity?  Just because Falvey is saying that:

A. They want to be competitive in 2026

B. They probably won't trade Lopez, Ryan or Buxton

C.  There may be some money available to the front office....

doesn't give me any more clarity than I previously had.

[rdehring]

If I recall, Lee was rushed to the Twins a couple years ago.  Then he missed a lot of time the last two years with injury.  When he was moved to short, I thought he appeared more comfortable than he did at other positions.  Will that mean he will become a solid/average defender?  Don't know, maybe.  

Keaschall also was rushed a bit and then missed a good chunk of the season with a broken arm.  And that was after having TJ surgery the previous year.  Considering the Twins corner outfield logjam, lets give this young man a year to mature at one position, ie, second base.  I see Keaschall as one player who the Twins need in their lineup every day.  Will say the same about Martin.  Those two at the top of their lineup could make for an exciting season beginning in the first inning of each game.

[Riverbrian]

What should they do with middle infield? 

Don't sign a 1 year rental. 

I'd rather they acquire someone young. 

[NYCTK]

21 minutes ago, terrydactyls said:

Yikes.  No one ever said to keep a player at his "preferred position".  They said to find the best position for a player when they are in the minors, give him the proper coaching to make him proficient and then let him play at that position until is ready to be called up.

A lot of people here, myself included, are just annoyed with the many people here (and certain former #1 draft picks) constantly complaining about a baseball player being asked to play a different position on the baseball field. 

It's not some Rocco invention. There's nothing new school or analytical about it. It's just baseball.