Minnesota Twins 2026 Position Analysis: First Base

[PatPfund]

Given the high-ceiling OF prospects knocking on the door at AAA, Larnach and Wallner (neither good defensively) should be getting big looks at 1B/DH, and told to play for roster spots (seriously, how much more mobile or better as hitters are they going to get at their ages). Clemens could play 2B, Keaschall could go to  the OF for Larnach, Emma to RF for Wallner, and Gabby Gonzalez should be at 1B in St Paul. None of this is great, but at least you can shift bats to maximize strengths of the roster instead of pledging max time to a guy with a 91 OPS+.

[LA Vikes Fan]

Clemens is not a starting 1B on anybody's decent baseball team. He is at best the strong side of a 1B platoon on a bad team. I have to remind you that his stats against RH pitching are .219/.286/.496 (.782) and has a .486 OPS(!) against LH pitching. In other words, so far he's shown that he doesn't really hit RH pitching well enough to even be a regular platoon bat, with some HR power, and he can't hit LHs at all. He's a bench guy.

Josh Bell was brought in to play 1B, not to just DH. I give that idea about a month before we see that he just can't handle the position in the field well enough to be there regularly. I agree with the poster who suggested we should get a real SS and move Lee to 1B. The problem is we don't have that SS and there isn't anyone available to play 1B unless you want Wilmer Flores. How about trading Larnach for Ryan Mountcastle? Ugh. Just not a good way out of this mess. 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

[Scott51104]

I remain hopeful that the Twins actually will play Mendez at first base (in the minors) in 2026, rather than just saying it is an option.

[DJL44]

24 minutes ago, Nick Nelson said:

You might be right, it's possible I'm just trying to talk myself out of this reality. But, the Twins are just deeply unserious about improving their defense if they're going to have Bell out there regularly in an infield that already has big question marks up the middle. He's been replacement-level over the past two seasons because of his glove. Like, even the last-place Nationals could see he should not be in the field. 

Brooks Lee, starting SS, shows they're deeply unserious about improving their defense. Bell is just another data point.

[USAFChief]

14 minutes ago, LA Vikes Fan said:

Clemens is not a starting 1B on anybody's decent baseball team. He is at best the strong side of a 1B platoon on a bad team. I have to remind you that his stats against RH pitching are .219/.286/.496 (.782) and has a .486 OPS(!) against LH pitching. In other words, so far he's shown that he doesn't really hit RH pitching well enough to even be a regular platoon bat, with some HR power, and he can't hit LHs at all. He's a bench guy.

Josh Bell was brought in to play 1B, not to just DH. I give that idea about a month before we see that he just can't handle the position in the field well enough to be there regularly. I agree with the poster who suggested we should get a real SS and move Lee to 1B. The problem is we don't have that SS and there isn't anyone available to play 1B unless you want Wilmer Flores. How about trading Larnach for Ryan Mountcastle? Ugh. Just not a good way out of this mess. 

What does moving Lee to first base accomplish?

Over 700 PAs of 75 OPS+ hitting.  You want that at first base??

[stringer bell]

A lot of discussion about both Larnach and Wallner in a first baseman thread. Well, here's some more: I find it ironic and puzzling that both players have been tagged with bad defense. Firstly, tools: Larnach turns 29 tomorrow (so not old) and has lost some sprint speed. Wallner is 28 and has lost considerable sprint speed, going from 134th to 375th and he's rated between -1 and -4 in defensive run value--not great, but not horrible. Larnach had positive run value in 2024, but slipped decidedly in limited play in the outfield last year. I don't see why both of them can't be average to better than average outfielders right now, if healthy. Larnach's arm is average and Wallner's is elite. Not every guy over 6 feet gets handed a first baseman's mitt. I don't know if there's something that precludes either of them from moving to first. I wonder if it will happen on their next team. 

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[USAFChief]

52 minutes ago, Nick Nelson said:

But, the Twins are just deeply unserious about improving 

And thus the options you've listed. 

 

[nicksaviking]

1 hour ago, Nick Nelson said:

You might be right, it's possible I'm just trying to talk myself out of this reality. But, the Twins are just deeply unserious about improving their defense if they're going to have Bell out there regularly in an infield that already has big question marks up the middle. He's been replacement-level over the past two seasons because of his glove. Like, even the last-place Nationals could see he should not be in the field. 

I'd say they are deeply unserious about improving the offense if they give Clemens regular at bats.

[jmlease1]

I hope they're not planning on a lot of Caratini at 1B; as a catcher his offense plays, but as a 1B it gets a lot sadder.

I get that Bell's defense is not great, but maybe the Twins can help him a bit and it'll be tolerable? I suspect we'll see Clemens come in for defense if we get into late innings with a lead, and I'm fine with that.

Clemens is a reasonable 26th man, but he's unplayable vs LHP and even if last season's "good" stretches weren't a mirage, you have to minimize his exposure to LHP. His positional flexibility is useful (he's at least acceptable at 2B, 3B, and a corner OF and pretty good at 1B defensively) but expecting him to handle a starter's load is foolish. I guess people remember the hot stretches a lot more than the bad June and horrific August?

Maybe Mendez will be a guy that can make it work at 1B?

It's been the position the Twins have shorted themselves on for a while, since Mauer retired. And with the payroll from the Bad Businessmen Pohlads tightening up, finding external help is going to be chancy. I year we get a good Carlos Santana, the next year...who knows?

[KirbyDome89]

2 hours ago, USAFChief said:

What does moving Lee to first base accomplish?

Over 700 PAs of 75 OPS+ hitting.  You want that at first base??

Keeping the run of ineptitude alive I suppose. 

[KirbyDome89]

Damned if ya do, damned if ya don't.

Bell doesn't belong anywhere near 1B, Clemons & Wagaman don't belong on a major league roster...

[Fire Dan Gladden]

The Bell signing looks a little questionable now after seeing Rhys Hoskins sign the MiLB deal in Cleveland.

That being said, I too expect Bell to get the lions share of playing 1B. Clemens value to this team currently is his positional flexibility. 

[DJL44]

31 minutes ago, Fire Dan Gladden said:

The Bell signing looks a little questionable now after seeing Rhys Hoskins sign the MiLB deal in Cleveland.

The Bell signing looked questionable when it was announced. Who were they bidding against?