Familiarize Yourself with Ryan Kreidler: He Might Be the Twins' Backup Shortstop in 2026

[Cody Schoenmann]

Image courtesy of © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

During last week’s Winter Meetings, MLB.com’s Matthew Leach posted an interesting response to a question posed to him on BlueSky on whether the Minnesota Twins will pursue a strong defensive middle infielder this offseason, stating the following:

Admittedly, this level of aggregation on my end is a little alarming, and I should maybe reflect on how much time I spend on social media sifting through updates on the Twins' offseason plans. Personal ruminations aside, though, Leach’s response provides some insight into the club’s plan behind projected starting shortstop Brooks Lee early next season. Right now, Ryan Fitzgerald and Ryan Kreidler are the favorites to compete for the backup shortstop role. Based on Leach’s response, however, Kreidler appears to have the inside track on Fitzgerald heading into spring training.

 

Hitting .138/.208/.176 with an 11 wRC+ over a combined 211 plate appearances the past four seasons, Kreidler has been one of the worst hitters in baseball over the course of his career. The 29-year-old struggles to make contact, evidenced by an alarming 31.8% strikeout rate and 33.1% whiff rate on swings over his career. When the right-handed veteran does make contact, it is often weak, yielding a lackluster 28.3% Hard-hit rate and 5.5% Barrel rate during that stretch.

 

Those who follow Minnesota shouldn’t expect Kreidler’s hitting profile to dramatically improve in 2026. New hitting coach Keith Beauregard did work with Kreidler for a time while he was in Detroit, and Kreidler did dramatically increase his swing speed and tilt in 2025, so progress isn't out of the question, but it can't be presumed. The track record is not on Kreidler's side.

 

Luckily, an offensive renaissance won’t be required for the former top prospect to provide value. Throughout his four-season major league career, Kreidler’s calling card has been his defensive versatility. He's played 253 1/3 innings at shortstop, 139 1/3 innings at third base, 120 1/3 innings in center field, 38 at second base, and one in left field. The speedy defender played exclusively in center for Detroit last season. However, he has performed the best at shortstop over his career, generating 3 Outs Above Average (OAA) over 125 attempts at the position.

 

Kreidler has succeeded at the two non-catcher positions highest on the defensive spectrum (shortstop and center field) by utilizing his plus range and adequate arm. Those traits have also translated to success at second and third base, resulting in him developing into a utility player. Lee improved as a defensive shortstop late last season. His improvements could translate into more sustained success at the position in 2026. However, Kreidler is a superior defender at the position, providing Minnesota with an adequate backup.

 

Despite James Outman and Alan Roden being likely to start the season on the 26-man roster, Kreidler could also serve as one of Byron Buxton’s primary backups in center field; as Royce Lewis’s backup at third base; and as a complementary rotational piece at second base, alongside Luke Keaschall, Kody Clemens, and Austin Martin, adding to his defensive flexibility. He's a plus on the bases, for a team hoping to get faster and more athletic in both run creation and run prevention.

 

Again, Kreidler has hit 89% worse than league average over his 211 plate appearances in the majors. If he could modestly improve his wRC+ to the 60-to-70 range next season, however, the fringe major leaguer could provide significant value to the Twins on the bases and in the field, being a plus defender at the two positions highest on the defensive spectrum. Since the team is choosing bat-first options at several key defensive positions, even a glove-only utility man off the bench is important.

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[LewFordLives]

Interesting, although I don't know how long you can hide someone with those kinds of offensive numbers on your bench. At some point he will have to hit in key situations. I get that a glove-first utility guy will generally not be a good hitter, but not this bad.

[NYCTK]

Falvey heard all the fans here constantly whining about losing Noah Miller and got them this Christmas present. This is an even better Noah Miller. Enjoy! 

[RpR]

He could be what Farmer was to Julien, a late inning replacement to stop Lee from throwing a game away.

[Brett]

552 innings is about 60 games, so 15 games a year thus far. Even if used only as a defensive replacement, he would still end up batting in close games. No, thank you.

[Riverbrian]

As it stands right now. Yep... He might be on the roster to handle emergency SS and CF duties. 

If the club goes with Fitzgerald instead or calls up Culpepper or acquires another SS capable player. Kreidler's 26 man spot would most likely be gone and then it's a matter of stashing him... keeping him after he takes a trip through the waiver process and goes unclaimed. 

If no other moves are made. I'd place my bet on Kriedler breaking camp and heading north because Fitzgerald can be stashed in AAA and Culpepper doesn't have to be added to the 40 man roster yet.  

I just think a SS capable addition is coming via trade or free agency. 

[Reptevia]

Another “fringe major leaguer”. He’ll fit right in on this team. 

[whosafraidofluigirussolo]

Despite James Outman and Alan Roden being likely to start the season on the 26-man roster, Kreidler could also serve as one of Byron Buxton’s primary backups in center field...

If they don't think Outman is the best backup/a necessary backup for CF, I don't see why he needs to be on the roster. Out of options, I know... but trading Stewart for Outman is a sunk cost now, and they're loaded with outfielders. Time to move on.

[thelanges5]

2 minutes ago, whosafraidofluigirussolo said:

Despite James Outman and Alan Roden being likely to start the season on the 26-man roster, Kreidler could also serve as one of Byron Buxton’s primary backups in center field...

If they don't think Outman is the best backup/a necessary backup for CF, I don't see why he needs to be on the roster. Out of options, I know... but trading Stewart for Outman is a sunk cost now, and they're loaded with outfielders. Time to move on.

Would be nice if this meant that Outman was expendable.

[SarasotaBill]

Especially at Home start at SS and bat ninth. If it’s a scoring opportunity have Lee pinch hit him on his first at bat. If not, have him bat once and pinch hit after five innings.

Maximize defensive value while minimizing his poor offense.

[nova_twins]

Kreidler is so bad I just read this as a vote of confidence in Kaelen Culpepper. There's a good chance the Twins already rate KC as their best SS. 

[old nurse]

9 hours ago, thelanges5 said:

Would be nice if this meant that Outman was expendable.

 

9 hours ago, whosafraidofluigirussolo said:

Despite James Outman and Alan Roden being likely to start the season on the 26-man roster, Kreidler could also serve as one of Byron Buxton’s primary backups in center field...

If they don't think Outman is the best backup/a necessary backup for CF, I don't see why he needs to be on the roster. Out of options, I know... but trading Stewart for Outman is a sunk cost now, and they're loaded with outfielders. Time to move on.

When Outman was acquired they sent him to AAA and called him up only after Roden was injured for the season. He matched up with Stewart’s salary.   The Twins did not need anymore really long shot players to go with him, so they just to a flier on outman. The flier crash landed.  They would probably try to DFA him late to stash him in AAA

[stringer bell]

I think it's a pretty good plan to have good defenders in pure backup roles, especially for the crucial defensive positions (CF, SS, C). That Kreidler has rated above average at both short and center gives him some value despite a really weak bat. Fitzgerald is probably a much better hitter, but if the role is pinch runner and defensive replacement, Kreidler might be the better fit.

[Dawgzilla]

How is this even worth mentioning or worthwhile?  Sell the team with news like this!!!!!!!!!

[chpettit19]

1 hour ago, SarasotaBill said:

Especially at Home start at SS and bat ninth. If it’s a scoring opportunity have Lee pinch hit him on his first at bat. If not, have him bat once and pinch hit after five innings.

Maximize defensive value while minimizing his poor offense.

You are describing a player that simply cannot be on an MLB roster for any real amount of time. You have 1 backup catcher and 3 other guys on your bench. Burning a bench spot by the end of the 5th inning every game is simply not a real plan. You can't roster these guys. 

Well, you SHOULDN'T roster these guys. The Twins seem to find ways to do it quite frequently.

[Nashvilletwin]

Buying season tickets today…….lol.

[DJL44]

Yuck

[bean5302]

1 hour ago, chpettit19 said:

You are describing a player that simply cannot be on an MLB roster for any real amount of time. You have 1 backup catcher and 3 other guys on your bench. Burning a bench spot by the end of the 5th inning every game is simply not a real plan. You can't roster these guys. 

Well, you SHOULDN'T roster these guys. The Twins seem to find ways to do it quite frequently.

Exactly. There is no possible amount of spectacular defense which can make up for a wRC+ 11 bat. It's impossible. Every .025ish OPS = 1 WAR. Playing spectacular defense at SS is still a -5 WAR player... and it's not like the limited metrics agree Kreidler is a good SS anyway.

I hope the Twins are just claiming and DFA'ing, but I'm skeptical. Falvey is always captain "Hey, take a loo.... SQUIRREL!!!!!, GET IT!!!" with waiver wire garbage.

[Fred]

Martin, Buxton, Wallner, Larnach, Outman, and Roden says you have 2 outfielders on your 4 man bench. You need a spot for your #2 catcher. Only one available spot on the bench? Nope, somebody is getting moved. Stay tuned.

[DocBauer]

With no personal insult intended, Kriedler has been a mediocre MILB hitter. And while SSS, his MLB numbers are on par, or worse, than many ML pitchers in the NL before the universal DH came in to play! How EXCEMPTIONAL must be his defense to even warrant a 40 man spot vs even being on a ML roster? He's better than Ozzie Smith? He can turn double plays and triple plays by himself?

Come on! He should be the easiest DFA tomorrow when the Twins sign their next FA. And he probably will be. While Fitzgerald isn't special, he's at least competent as a glove man, has some speed and pop, and is a much better projected hitter. And we're talking Mendoza line against even lower expectation. 

I'd even be willing to state the Twins might be able to make a minor trade for someone else's AAA 26-27yo SS with a good glove and SOME talent/ability to be better than Kreidler. 

I've always believed he was signed for St Paul for depth and will be removed from the 40 man as soon as a FA was signed. He should slip through easily. So this is probably nothing about nothing. TODAY, Fitzgerald is still the utility player and backup SS for 2026 barring another move or surprise. 

[Riverbrian]

Here's the deal. Whoever the Twins bring up to Minnesota. 

Kreidler, Fitzgerald or IKF. 

One thing is for sure.

The club is betting everything on Brooks Lee. 

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, Riverbrian said:

Here's the deal. Whoever the Twins bring up to Minnesota. 

Kreidler, Fitzgerald or IKF. 

One thing is for sure.

The club is betting everything on Brooks Lee. 

I think it's a bad bet, but at least it's a bet with a future payoff if it succeeds. Better than betting on retread 30-year-olds with no future.

[wavedog]

Those MLB batting stats are downright depressing to read.  Weak contact combined with exceptional swing and miss ability.   Is he swatting flies at the plate?   His minor league stats are ok for a defensive specialist  - so hopefully he is just AAA depth in case of emergency.   

[Riverbrian]

6 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

I think it's a bad bet, but at least it's a bet with a future payoff if it succeeds. Better than betting on retread 30-year-olds with no future.

I'm not betting. I hope he gets the opportunity to become something and I hope he does. Lee becoming something would be huge. 

Betting everything on him? I'm hoping Culpepper gets here quickly. 

[LambchoP]

Iv got to Imagine that there is a better option on the DFA waiver wire for a backup infielder than a guy who can't seem to hit .200......

[DJL44]

19 minutes ago, LambchoP said:

Iv got to Imagine that there is a better option on the DFA waiver wire for a backup infielder than a guy who can't seem to hit .200......

The minor league free agent SS are coming off the board. They need to grab one.

[Heiny]

If either Kreidler or Fitzgerald is on the roster, then you can just expect to be a bad team.  Neither player should be on a ML roster.  Even for a losing team.

[stringer bell]

On 12/17/2025 at 7:20 AM, Riverbrian said:

Here's the deal. Whoever the Twins bring up to Minnesota. 

Kreidler, Fitzgerald or IKF. 

One thing is for sure.

The club is betting everything on Brooks Lee. 

For the first half of the season, it would appear that the SS job is Lee's exclusively. I would think that a half season of AAA ball would make Culpupper the next man up when it gets warm outside (usually late May).

I would really like to see the Twins acquire a shortstop to at least push Lee as well as a major league catcher. There are too many LH corner outfielders and an apparent excess of prospective starting pitchers on the roster. 

[Riverbrian]

15 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

For the first half of the season, it would appear that the SS job is Lee's exclusively. I would think that a half season of AAA ball would make Culpupper the next man up when it gets warm outside (usually late May).

I would really like to see the Twins acquire a shortstop to at least push Lee as well as a major league catcher. There are too many LH corner outfielders and an apparent excess of prospective starting pitchers on the roster. 

I have high hopes for Culpepper. I hope he is everything we dreamed he will be.  

But...his performance at AAA is still TBD. This leaves all of the immediate SS Eggs in the Lee basket. 

I agree with you. Lee needs to be pushed... Lewis also needs to be pushed and we don't know what 2026 Keaschall will be. 

I'm not going to get my wish and see a young SS come to town to push them. It will probably be IKF. 

This team is going for it... With Bell and probably IKF and whatever they find for a bullpen.   

[High heat]

Jorge Mateo was non tendered by Baltimore.  Grades out well defensively at SS, has Buxton type speed and hits RH. He is atleast a .220 career hitter.  Might be a much better 26th man. Could even start at SS against LHP moving Lee to second and Keaschell to 1B with Bell as DH.