Twins Territory’s Least-Favorite Left-Handed Hitting Corner Outfield Could Thrive in 2026

[Rosterman]

At some point you add a player to the roster to fill a position. Is Bell a 1st baseman or DH. Is Wallner in the field or an everyday DH. Does Martin bring a different skillset to the lineup and demands everyday play? Can Larnach lay in the field, or do you really need both him and Wallner on the team?

Like Lee and Lewis, who have to prove themselves this season. If Lee fails, he becomes, at best, an expensive utility player, but is he the best chocie for that (defense, average, speed, power?). Youy gota make hard decisions on Roden, Outman and Julien... not to mention Jackson (nice to have a decent catcher at AAA). 

Expect some trading from that mix during spring training, but not expecting much in return, sadly. Only an open 40-man roster spot for an AAAA relief pitching arm or two.

[Blyleven2011]

I wouldn't say larnach is the most unliked player on the roster , yes he's right around average for outfielder but I think he is definitely better than wallner even with his cannon of a arm which isn't exactly on target  ...

Larnach showed improvement hitting lefthanders by raising his wRC+ from 2024 - 63 to 2025 - 71 , give him alittle love for improvement  , hitting righties is above league average , how many players did the lineup have that were above average in hitting  in 2025 ( not a whole bunch ) ...

Outman is pretty much a lock as backup centerfielder just like kiersey Jr was , no bat , good defense ...

Our roster is a mess , who's going to be playing where or even on the roster going north  , the twins need a hot start but leaving warm temperatures every year to cooler temperatures they just seem stalled out of the gate until the temperatures warm up at Target field  ...

[bean5302]

3 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

...Larnach showed improvement hitting lefthanders by raising his wRC+ from 2024 - 63 to 2025 - 71 , give him alittle love for improvement...

So he went from abominable to just awful? In all seriousness, Larnach didn't have enough sample size in 2024 to generate a stable number. wRC+ 71 is still unplayable for a low value defensive position.

[Bodie]

22 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

There is nothing wrong with Trevor Larnach, just like there is nothing wrong with Josh Bell, Matt Wallner, and a couple of other players. The problem is that there can only be one DH in the lineup at a time. Using a DH in the field doesn't work for the pitching staff or in attempts to win games. It doesn't seem like the front office is aware of the problem and thus the glut of DH players. All of the guys looking for time at the DH slot also doesn't even take into account that some days guys such as Byron Buxton, Royce Lewis, Luke Keaschall, and Ryan Jeffers could DH as well. Trevor Larnach is a fine ball player, as a DH. He just suffers from the team hoarding DH types, which costs him.

"DH types", too bad none of them is actually a capable DH.

Lack of defensive ability doesn"t make you a DH...

Being capable of only being a DH ddoesn't make them a DH any more than it makes them a capable pitcher!  

[Richie the Rally Goat]

23 hours ago, DJL44 said:

Josh Bell is the DH - he's the 4th best fielding 1B on the 40-man roster.

Yes, Outman is actually Twins Territory's least favorite left-handed hitting outfielder.

There is nothing wrong with Larnach, except the fact that the Twins could replace him with Roden, Rodriguez or Jenkins and not miss him.

Austin Martin should be the everyday LF - he gets on base against both LH and RH pitchers and plays better defense than Larnach. Looking at Statcast - he struggled against changeups and splitters. That might be the best information about when to sub for Martin.

Where does Wallner’s fielding rank in the corner OF? 9ish I’d venture. Looking at how they brought in Bader last year, OF fielding is prioritized.

Wagaman and his 85 wRC+ isn’t going to spend significant time at 1B,  Clemens would likely be utility, with some time at 1B. Guessing he’s the new Castro. Looking at how they brought in Ty France last year, 1B fielding is not prioritized.

i think Bell is the primary 1B

Martin primary LF

Larnach primary RF

Wallner primary DH

Clemens gets rotated through outfield, 2B and 1B almost every day.

[DJL44]

7 minutes ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

Where does Wallner’s fielding rank in the corner OF? 9ish I’d venture. Looking at how they brought in Bader last year, OF fielding is prioritized.

Wagaman and his 85 wRC+ isn’t going to spend significant time at 1B,  Clemens would likely be utility, with some time at 1B. Guessing he’s the new Castro. Looking at how they brought in Ty France last year, 1B fielding is not prioritized.

i think Bell is the primary 1B

Martin primary LF

Larnach primary RF

Wallner primary DH

Clemens gets rotated through outfield, 2B and 1B almost every day.

Wallner actually rates higher in fielding than Larnach. He runs faster and throws harder than Larnach. That's why Wallner played more RF and Larnach played more DH last season.

Martin LF, Wallner RF, Bell DH, Clemens/Caratini 1B is the best defensive alignment.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

10 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Wallner actually rates higher in fielding than Larnach. He runs faster and throws harder than Larnach. That's why Wallner played more RF and Larnach played more DH last season.

Martin LF, Wallner RF, Bell DH, Clemens/Caratini 1B is the best defensive alignment.

Wallner ranks faster in speed and arm strength but in OAA Larnach fares better, especially RF where Larnach is cumulative plus 3 (in one extra season) and Wallner is -8.

Larnach

Wallner

 

[DJL44]

31 minutes ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

Wallner ranks faster in speed and arm strength but in OAA Larnach fares better, especially RF where Larnach is cumulative plus 3 (in one extra season) and Wallner is -8.

OAA is a cumulative stat, not a rate stat.

For 2025 Larnach is -4 OAA in 441 innings (-2 Total Zone, -5 DRS), Wallner is -4 OAA in 654 innings (-6 Total Zone, -6 DRS). On a rate basis, Wallner is slightly better. Larnach is also getting compared to LF, who are generally worse fielders than RF. That is a point for Wallner.

Neither one is good, but Wallner actually rates marginally better by the defensive stats.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

OAA is a cumulative stat, not a rate stat.

For 2025 Larnach is -4 OAA in 441 innings (-2 Total Zone, -5 DRS), Wallner is -4 OAA in 654 innings (-6 Total Zone, -6 DRS). On a rate basis, Wallner is slightly better. Larnach is also getting compared to LF, who are generally worse fielders than RF. That is a point for Wallner.

Neither one is good, but Wallner actually rates marginally better by the defensive stats.

So Larnach cumulatively has more OAA in RF than Wallner in a smaller sample size? Granted it was more positive 21 and 22, maybe he’s losing a step

The charts above split LF and RF.

[Otaknam]

Outman didn’t show anything w the Twins last year. I cannot imagine him suddenly becoming a functional hitter in 2026. Roden might surprise, however. 

[USAFChief]

On 1/28/2026 at 8:22 AM, DJL44 said:

Wallner actually rates higher in fielding than Larnach. He runs faster and throws harder than Larnach. That's why Wallner played more RF and Larnach played more DH last season.

Martin LF, Wallner RF, Bell DH, Clemens/Caratini 1B is the best defensive alignment.

Bell is the regular 1st baseman. Guaranteed.