How the Minnesota Twins Have Maximized Trevor Larnach in a Minimized Role

[Cody Schoenmann]

Image courtesy of © Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Trevor Larnach went 0-for-3 with a walk Sunday, but before that, his season was off to a nice little start. Through 16 plate appearances, he's batting .273/.500/.455, with two doubles and five walks. Despite not yet hitting a home run, the left-handed-hitting veteran is hitting the ball hard in the air often; walking often; and whiffing almost never. Displaying plus plate discipline, the long-time Twin has been the club’s most effective hitter nine games into its 2026 campaign, with offseason acquisitions Tristan Gray and Josh Bell close behind him. Again, we're analyzing 16 plate appearances, but Minnesota has maximized Larnach in a manner that club decision-makers should be able to sustain as the season progresses.

Fifteen of the 29-year-old’s 16 times up have been against right-handed pitchers. He's handled them well, too. In fact, he's thrived on offspeed pitches, specifically, as when he socked an opposite-field double off an 85.9-MPH knuckle curve from Orioles hurler Shane Baz on March 29. He also pulled a 92.3-MPH splitter off Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Joe Boyle on April 3, good for a double and nearly that elusive first round-tripper.

 

After (somewhat surprisingly) tendering Larnach a contract last offseason, the front office has turned Larnach into a self-actualized corner outfield platoon bat, shielding him from southpaws. On the surface, using Larnach in this hyper-specific role makes sense, given the stark platoon splits he's consistently produced over his six-season major-league career (114 wRC+ over 1,190 plate appearances against RHP; 64 wRC+ over 306 plate appearances against LHP). Given how manager Derek Shelton has deployed him early this season, Twins Territory might be witnessing one of the more restricted platoon jobs in recent baseball memory. If Larnach can remain a plus bat against righties and settle down to a more realistic 120-130 wRC+ against them, his role could be worth the minimal roster flexibility, considering that major-league lineups face right-handed starting pitchers far more often than southpaws.

 

Ah, but Larnach didn’t fall out of a coconut tree; he exists in the context of all in which he lives and what came before him. Minnesota has three young, talented left-handed-hitting corner outfielders in Alan Roden, Emmanuel Rodriguez, and Walker Jenkins and right-handed hitting corner outfield prospect Gabriel Gonzalez, all knocking on the door of the bigs at Triple-A St. Paul.

 

Hopefully, those guys will soon force Minnesota’s hand, effectively forcing the club to provide the quartet opportunities with the parent club. Given the low expectations surrounding the Twins this season and the team's stumbling 3-6 start, another busy trade deadline might lie ahead. If the club continues to slip into irrelevancy while Larnach excels against right-handed pitching, the 2018 first-round draft pick could become an enticing trade chip this July, opening space for one of the outfield prospects. For now, though, Larnach has blossomed into one of the club’s few consistent hitters, even if he only appears in the lineup against right-handed pitching.

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[dxpavelka]

I wouldn't say the the TWINS have maximized anything.  I would saythat Larnach has performed.  What would be more "Twins" than moving him now and having him perform up to career long expectations at his next destination.  Worth noting, in 60% of  the career plate appearances of the guy he replaced (Rosario) he has roughly 27% of the WAR Rosario had as a Twin.  We've never adequately replace Rosario.  Hope like hell the next round of attempts does so.  Looking at you Rodriguez and / or Gonzalez. 

[sweetmusicviola16]

16 PA, very very small sample size. Twins have found no takers for Larnach for 2 off seasons and all of last season and the beginning of this one. I'm not of the mindset that there will be a very long line of teams for his services in July. I'm not against Trevor, he's actually one of this teams better hitters, but the reality of who he is as a player and his value is quite evident at this point. 

[jmlease1]

36 minutes ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

16 PA, very very small sample size. Twins have found no takers for Larnach for 2 off seasons and all of last season and the beginning of this one. I'm not of the mindset that there will be a very long line of teams for his services in July. I'm not against Trevor, he's actually one of this teams better hitters, but the reality of who he is as a player and his value is quite evident at this point. 

It depends on how he does; if he's healthy and mashing against RHP then there could be a nice market from a playoff team looking to shore up a weakness with a platoon bat. (and while Larnach hasn't been good in the OF the last couple of seasons, if he's healthy he's not going to embarrass anyone out there. Teams have played worse OF) The problem with Larnach has been he hasn't actually mashed RHP enough: a career OPS of .762 vs RHP doesn't exactly excite anyone. If he's still in the .850 range at midseason, the value proposition on him changes.

But you're right that it is a very small sample, and it shows some of the limitations of this roster: only 16 PA's in 7 games is tiny, and it's hard to make an impact if you can't get on the field more often. Maybe the cavalcade of LH starters will subside and we'll see more Larnach?

[LA Vikes Fan]

The Twins might be maximizing Larnach’s value, but to what end? His skills could have value on a decent team hoping to become a good/better team, but that’s not who the Twins are. We may only by 9 games in, but it is becoming pretty clear that this is a bad team in desperate need of full time starting talent. That kind of team needs to give opportunity to a new group of prospects ready to get their feet wet if they have them. We do in the OF. I have nothing against Larnach but he is in the way of playing the guys we need to play. He needs to be moved so Martin and Roden can play regularly and, if/when one or both fail, Emma, GG, and Jenkins can play regularly. That’s the only way this team has a chance to get better. 
 

[NYCTK]

1 hour ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

I'm not of the mindset that there will be a very long line of teams for his services in July.

I'm all for just waiving him. Come July he's really only going to return a pitcher that projects as a RP in AA anyways. Just cut him and believe that a team will pick up his salary. 

A team like the Guardians could really use him. 

[Coach Wheels]

8 minutes ago, NYCTK said:

I'm all for just waiving him. Come July he's really only going to return a pitcher that projects as a RP in AA anyways. Just cut him and believe that a team will pick up his salary. 

A team like the Guardians could really use him. 

4 million reasons not to waive him but he doesn't move the needle for me right now

[NYCTK]

8 minutes ago, Coach Wheels said:

4 million reasons not to waive him but he doesn't move the needle for me right now

If Zoll was a half decent GM, he'd be unconcerned. But he sucks, so he is. 

[Rosterman]

Larnach is being given an opportunity to become a rtade piece, or to continue to rise in his own pay expectations... basically becoming the new Jim Thome, someone who can DH or come off the bench. Maybe play in the field if necessary. By being exclusively a DH, he is part of a logjam if you want to give at bats to others. But it is up to him to make the most of the opportunbity the Twins have given him for 2026.

[Hunter4848]

5 minutes ago, Rosterman said:

Larnach is being given an opportunity to become a rtade piece, or to continue to rise in his own pay expectations... basically becoming the new Jim Thome, someone who can DH or come off the bench. Maybe play in the field if necessary. By being exclusively a DH, he is part of a logjam if you want to give at bats to others. But it is up to him to make the most of the opportunbity the Twins have given him for 2026.

What an insult to Thome....

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

Through 9 games, Larnach has played in 7 and had 16 plate appearances. Not really sure you can take anything from such an incredibly small sample size - and even harder to say the Twins are 'maximizing' Larnach.

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

15 minutes ago, Rosterman said:

Larnach is being given an opportunity to become a rtade piece, or to continue to rise in his own pay expectations... basically becoming the new Jim Thome, someone who can DH or come off the bench. Maybe play in the field if necessary. By being exclusively a DH, he is part of a logjam if you want to give at bats to others. But it is up to him to make the most of the opportunbity the Twins have given him for 2026.

You lost me when you mentioned Thome and Larnach in the same sentence.

[JD-TWINS]

2 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

It depends on how he does; if he's healthy and mashing against RHP then there could be a nice market from a playoff team looking to shore up a weakness with a platoon bat. (and while Larnach hasn't been good in the OF the last couple of seasons, if he's healthy he's not going to embarrass anyone out there. Teams have played worse OF) The problem with Larnach has been he hasn't actually mashed RHP enough: a career OPS of .762 vs RHP doesn't exactly excite anyone. If he's still in the .850 range at midseason, the value proposition on him changes.

But you're right that it is a very small sample, and it shows some of the limitations of this roster: only 16 PA's in 7 games is tiny, and it's hard to make an impact if you can't get on the field more often. Maybe the cavalcade of LH starters will subside and we'll see more Larnach?

When 7 guys are not hitting .200 and 2-3 may not have the capability to get above that level, a .762 OPS is an effective player. Larnach doesn’t have to be the best hitter in the line-up (your .850 OPS level) to help the club or be worthy of a roster spot.

[Sjoski]

What would a Larnach trade look like?

- A 19‑year‑old in A‑ball  
- A reliever with a 3.98 ERA  
 

[WarPath1211]

Larnach's "dropoff" last year was almost entirely due to being given tons of opportunities against lefties as compared to 2024. The underlying numbers against each type of pitcher didn't change too much, just the share of PAs facing lefties.

2024: 23 PA vs. lefties (.579 OPS / 63 wRC+), 377 PA vs. righties (.784 OPS/ 123 wRC+)
Overall .771 OPS / 119 wRC+
5.75% of PAs against lefties


2025: 118 PA vs. lefties (.608 OPS / 71 wRC+), 449 PA vs. righties (.759 OPS/ 110 wRC+)
Overall .727 OPS / 102 wRC+
20.81% of PAs against lefties

Given the numbers and the fact that Larnach isn't a good defender or baserunner, and thus doesn't offer much if he's not hitting, it's pretty clear that the optimal way for him to be used is to face lefties as little as possible. He deserves to be in the lineup against every righty starter, but the aggressive platoon really does seem like the smart way to go.

[jmlease1]

1 hour ago, JD-TWINS said:

When 7 guys are not hitting .200 and 2-3 may not have the capability to get above that level, a .762 OPS is an effective player. Larnach doesn’t have to be the best hitter in the line-up (your .850 OPS level) to help the club or be worthy of a roster spot.

for us (a team that's going nowhere this year) I suppose that's true, but for a title hopeful, they're going to need more than just solid production vs RHP to make adding Larnach (as opposed to someone else) worth making the move for. I'd say building up Larnach for a trade is the best we can hope for here.

Yes, he can help the Twins this year over some of the other current LH bats on the roster, but he has little to no future here and there's a real question of whether an average Larnach season comes close to the kind of production we could get from one of the many prospect options his roster spot is blocking.

It also doesn't matter if Jeffers, Lee, and Lewis are hitting under .200 as it pertains to Larnach's spot on the roster: Larnach can't play catcher, SS, or 3B. It doesn't even matter much that Outman or Buxton can't buy a hit, since Larnach can't play CF either. And since we've never seen Larnach play 1B, Clemens (unsurprising) struggles at the plate don't matter than much for him either. If you want to argue for Larnach over Wallner, I guess you can (there's no shortage of people who will jump on the anti-Wallner bandwagon, so you won't be alone), but Wallner has a stronger track record.

[Major League Ready]

5 hours ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

16 PA, very very small sample size. Twins have found no takers for Larnach for 2 off seasons and all of last season and the beginning of this one. I'm not of the mindset that there will be a very long line of teams for his services in July. I'm not against Trevor, he's actually one of this teams better hitters, but the reality of who he is as a player and his value is quite evident at this point. 

I am not convinced they tried to trade Larnach this off-season.  I assumed that was the purpose of tendering him an offer.  However, after Tom Pohlad's comments, I believe that retaining Larnach was important to TP's delusional belief this team would contend.  Therefore, he has chosen Larnach instead of moving on to Roden / Jenkins / Rodriguez / Gonzalez.     

[LA Vikes Fan]

1 hour ago, WarPath1211 said:

Larnach's "dropoff" last year was almost entirely due to being given tons of opportunities against lefties as compared to 2024. The underlying numbers against each type of pitcher didn't change too much, just the share of PAs facing lefties.

2024: 23 PA vs. lefties (.579 OPS / 63 wRC+), 377 PA vs. righties (.784 OPS/ 123 wRC+)
Overall .771 OPS / 119 wRC+
5.75% of PAs against lefties


2025: 118 PA vs. lefties (.608 OPS / 71 wRC+), 449 PA vs. righties (.759 OPS/ 110 wRC+)
Overall .727 OPS / 102 wRC+
20.81% of PAs against lefties

Given the numbers and the fact that Larnach isn't a good defender or baserunner, and thus doesn't offer much if he's not hitting, it's pretty clear that the optimal way for him to be used is to face lefties as little as possible. He deserves to be in the lineup against every righty starter, but the aggressive platoon really does seem like the smart way to go.

I remember a lot of questioning on this board as to why Larnach (and Wallner) wasn't given a chance to hit LH pitching and try to be an everyday player. Well, he got a chance against LH pitching last year and didn't get better. I agree that the optimal way to use Larnach is to face righties only, to the extent that's possible, and mostly out of the DH spot. The issue is that doesn't work on this team unless Bell plays 1B every day (or at least against RH pitching). That also makes it hard to both play Wallner and give the present AAA guys plus Martin much of an opportunity to play. If the team was a contender, I would keep Larnach and try to squeeze out 2-3 more wins But we're not, not really even close to a contender. Miles away, in fact. Time to move on from players that are this limited and try guys who might be more.  By the way, same goes for Lee and most of the bullpen.  

[WarPath1211]

4 minutes ago, LA Vikes Fan said:

I agree that the optimal way to use Larnach is to face righties only, to the extent that's possible, and mostly out of the DH spot. The issue is that doesn't work on this team unless Bell plays 1B every day (or at least against RH pitching).

So far, it seems Josh Bell is the everyday DH. Clemens is in a 1B platoon with Caratini starting against lefties, and Larnach is in a LF platoon with Martin starting against lefties. Larnach, Clemens, and Martin are also picking up scattered PH opportunities against relievers when they don't start.
 

In theory this is probably the optimal arrangement with who is on the team right now, but I agree with you in that it's not really an inspiring situation. I'd place a bet on a Larnach trade at some point later in the season opening up more PAs for the young guys. I'm fine with playing him until then to try to get some value out of him. I get there is a desire to see the young guys, but the team should really be in talent acquisition mode right now, and that probably involves letting Larnach showcase he can hit righties.

[LA Vikes Fan]

Agree with you on showcasing Larnach, but not on how to do so. The way you describe gets more ABs for Clemens at the expense of ABs for Martin and Roden, assuming a DFA switch of Outman for Roden. I want to see Martin in the lineup most every day supplemented by Roden, who can also back up Buxton and Wallner to get on the field 3-4 days a week, The only way I can see to do that and still keep both Bell and Larnach in the lineup against RH pitching is to play Bell at 1B most days. Clemens is not part of the medium or long term future of the Twins, so let's not give him the extra ABs. Let's give those to guys who might be part of that future.  

[WarPath1211]

Agreed on Clemens, he is a nice bench utility guy for a contending team but he is an awkward fit on the Twins right now.

I think the Roden/Martin platoon will get a look, just not until Larnach is gone. When I said optimal, I meant in terms of performance right now, not player development, but I agree with you that cutting the Clemens playing time makes sense in terms of developing players.

[JD-TWINS]

5 hours ago, Rosterman said:

Larnach is being given an opportunity to become a rtade piece, or to continue to rise in his own pay expectations... basically becoming the new Jim Thome, someone who can DH or come off the bench. Maybe play in the field if necessary. By being exclusively a DH, he is part of a logjam if you want to give at bats to others. But it is up to him to make the most of the opportunbity the Twins have given him for 2026.

Martin has started in LF a bunch because of the unusual amount of left handers faced through 9 games ……… Larnach started in LF at least 2-3 of the 7 games he’s played. He’s got an average arm and below average speed but he’s not a clown in LF.

He’s struck out once in 16 PA’s and is one of two guys hitting above .250. Not really sure why so many here see a problem with him being on the roster?

Martin is hitting .235 with a .235 Slug% …….. I get it’s early but these stats aren’t uncommon for Martin …… doesn’t seem to be the missing piece. Outman should get another start or two, maybe through this week, and if he isn’t doing a whole bunch more he should open a spot for one call-up. ………. can’t help to think Lee has another week’s worth of games to show positive change ………. Wallner, maybe two weeks?

If they don’t look sharp v. Tigers I think Friday morning is a good time to start implementing change!

[RpR]

1 hour ago, JD-TWINS said:

Martin has started in LF a bunch because of the unusual amount of left handers faced through 9 games ……… Larnach started in LF at least 2-3 of the 7 games he’s played. He’s got an average arm and below average speed but he’s not a clown in LF.

He’s struck out once in 16 PA’s and is one of two guys hitting above .250. Not really sure why so many here see a problem with him being on the roster?

 

Do you not know,?

eH is BLOCKING some god sent Golden Child! 👽

[DocBauer]

Larnach got a lot of opportunities against LHP in 2025 primarily because Wallner missed time. He's actually the default LH bat to face LHP, and while not great at doing so, is the better option. The fact that Larnach is performing well in a SSS here in '26 against RHP is encouraging. But he simply doesn't have a future with the club, even in a maximum split situation. I do think he's got value in that same role for a good team that just needs another solid, productive DH/LF that is short of LF bats. I don't believe a trade return brings a lot back, but he's a useful player for a team that is RH heavy.

But he is an odd fit for a non contending team that won't have him back in 2027 anyway. Again, it's just lousy roster construction, without saying in any way that Larnach himself is a lousy ballplayer. 

I see lineups against RHP with Clemens batting #1 and wonder if Shelton has been sniffing too many gloves already. Especially when I see how Outman is being used...virtually wasting a roster spot...and then I look at Roden yet again. 

Roden has proven himself in AAA. He had a great 2025 ST with the Jays, but got off to a rough rookie start. It happens. He had a great ST with the Twins and in an admitted SSS, he's batting .300 at St Paul with a an OB% OVER .500! 

We couldn't use him in LF as a #1 hitter before Buxton and Keaschall against RHP? At LEAST he offers defense, speed, some HIT and OB%. AND he might have some sort of future. But we're pushing Clemens to the #1 spot when he should be hitting around 7th or 8th why?

Outman is doing NOTHING. Roden can play all 3 spots, and form a quasi platoon with Martin in LF that actually makes sense. And I have yet to see where Outman as a backup CF, or late inning defensive corner OF is anything special. 

1B, for now, is a mix or Clemens and Caratini. It sure isn't great, but you can at least try to maximize it for now. But the whole LF situation seems SO EASY, IMO, to fix 2 issues. 

1] A mix of Martin and Roden actually gives you a potentially solid #1 table setter bat, with both being able to spell Buxton here and there, and give RBI opportunities. 

2] No Outman and no Larnach means an opportunity for another RH bat for the lineup that is desperately needed.

I am no fan of Wagaman. He's an OK 1B/3B/CORNER OF who hits LHP pitching OK, and had a strong 2nd half in 2025. That's why the Twins traded for him. He's not off to a great start for St Paul in SSS, but if you offered me Roden and Wagaman TOMORROW instead of the SSS production of Larnach...and his history...this season, and the wasted roster spot of Outman, I'd run with Roden as Wagaman as the better option. 

Against RHP, I'd really like to see Roden, Buxton, Keaschall, Wallner, and Bell as the top 5. Martin probably starts against LHP at #1. It's a hell of a lot better than some weird configuration of Clemens hitting #1. 

One more time, Larnach isn't a bad ballplayer. He's just a poor fit for this team. He shouldn't have been brought back. I'm still not sure why he was. But the offense and defense are potentially better without him and Outman. 

I'm still AMAZED how the obvious is so ignored.

[twinstalker]

On the major league trade board, I'd just keep his name on there.  But even if he does well, who's going to give anything?

[Major League Ready]

7 hours ago, DocBauer said:

Larnach got a lot of opportunities against LHP in 2025 primarily because Wallner missed time. He's actually the default LH bat to face LHP, and while not great at doing so, is the better option. The fact that Larnach is performing well in a SSS here in '26 against RHP is encouraging. But he simply doesn't have a future with the club, even in a maximum split situation. I do think he's got value in that same role for a good team that just needs another solid, productive DH/LF that is short of LF bats. I don't believe a trade return brings a lot back, but he's a useful player for a team that is RH heavy.

Outman is doing NOTHING. Roden can play all 3 spots, and form a quasi platoon with Martin in LF that actually makes sense. And I have yet to see where Outman as a backup CF, or late inning defensive corner OF is anything special. 

One more time, Larnach isn't a bad ballplayer. He's just a poor fit for this team. He shouldn't have been brought back. I'm still not sure why he was. But the offense and defense are potentially better without him and Outman. 

I'm still AMAZED how the obvious is so ignored.

I think what you have outlined for Roden & Outman will take place in the next couple of weeks if Roden continues to perform.

As to your amazement of the obvious being ignored, it looks to me like the influence of an owner with no clue of how to run a baseball team.  Wouldn't it make sense that Falvey tried to take a stand against what you describe as obvious and Tom P said let me show you what's obvious and showed him the door.   I fear that we have an owner without a clue that is unwilling to take input.   Falvey may not have been the best PBO in the league but did the situation just get worse?  Do we have someone with minimal knowledge of running a baseball organization calling all the shots?  Worse yet, is he unwilling to accept input?  Do we know have a bunch of yes men because they don't want to go the way of Falvey?  I fear this is the case, and TP will continue to act as if this team is a contender which would be extremely frustrating.

[dxpavelka]

22 hours ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

16 PA, very very small sample size. Twins have found no takers for Larnach for 2 off seasons and all of last season and the beginning of this one. I'm not of the mindset that there will be a very long line of teams for his services in July. I'm not against Trevor, he's actually one of this teams better hitters, but the reality of who he is as a player and his value is quite evident at this point. 

I will agree.  That Larnach's value is quite evident. At this point.  As mentioned in 16 (now 20) PA.  As mentioned, a very very small sample size.  If his production remains anywhere near it's current level by the time there is a zero behind his 20 PA I MIGHT be somewhat sold.  If that bump is resulting in any or all of Walker, Rodriguez or Gonzalez continuing to wear the word Saints across their chest, probably not so much.

[Trov]

SSS hot start, good for him, hope he keeps it up.  I was one that was saying DFA/non-tender all off-season.  Maybe he can carve out the platoon hitter role here and build up some trade value.  He is too redundant in our line up to want to stick long term with, and being he will be 30 next year we can expect future drop off, not that it was great before. 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

22 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

When 7 guys are not hitting .200 and 2-3 may not have the capability to get above that level, a .762 OPS is an effective player. Larnach doesn’t have to be the best hitter in the line-up (your .850 OPS level) to help the club or be worthy of a roster spot.

Isn’t that more reason to offload him and bring up the kids (not less)?

[Richie the Rally Goat]

19 hours ago, RpR said:

Do you not know,?

eH is BLOCKING some god sent Golden Child! 👽

Gold Child is 23, out of options and has a 900 OPS. If not now, when?