Infielder a-Palooza

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Much discussion about which infielders should be playing and where they should be playing

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

I went with option #2.

I don't want Keaschall dealing with the extra stress of learning a new position - he's just starting to swing the bat better. 

[stringer bell]

We are at the first week of June and stability is gone from the Twins' infield. Supposed regular 3B Royce Lewis was optioned to St. Paul after about 30 games, supposed regular SS Brooks Lee has moved to third base, SS is currently being manned by utility players with the presumed successor (Kaelen Culpepper) waiting in the wings in St. Paul, three guys have started multiple games at first base with none of them being under 30 or having upside suitable to satisfy the TD faithful.

A poll has been posted accompanying this note and five choices were included. Ten more could have been added, especially if someone like Clemens would be added as the regular first baseman. 

A couple of notes to add: Tristan Gray has hit quite well, especially in RBI situations, but he  shouldn't be playing shortstop on a fairly regular basis. He might be acceptable at first, second or third, but he's overmatched at short. The Twins don't have faith that Ryan Kreidler can hit well enough to hold down a regular position (neither do I), but it's a shame because he's probably the only plus fielder the Twins have for shortstop above A ball. Orlando Arcia has gotten his hits, but has only played a few innings at short. I don't think he'll sustain the hitting and if he isn't really an option at shortstop, it's probably not worth keeping both him and Gray around. Kody Clemens is far and away the Twins best defensive first baseman and might also be their best defensive second baseman. He's hit acceptably and as long as he does, he should be on the roster.

The poll include four young-ish player (27 and under) to fill four infield spots. Culpepper is the darling right now and I expect at some time he'll be given a chance to see if he's ready to be a regular major league shortstop. Here is a thumbnail of each (in alphabetical order):

Kaelen Culpepper: He hasn't even made the 40-man roster, but he is the odds-on choice to be the 
Twins' shortstop by the end of the season. He has upside, perhaps 20 homer power and 20 stolen base speed. There have been questions whether he could be a major league shortstop, but he hasn't played his way off the key defensive position. Culpepper has enough arm and suffiecient range to be at least average at short and that is better than anyone else except Ryan Kreidler, who doesn't profile as a major league hitter. 

Luke Keaschall: Keaschall was last year's big addition. His 2025 season was limited by injury, but he showed a good bat and impressive speed. Keaschall has been the regular second baseman and had a poor April. He's been better since, but is lacking power so far. His defense has been below average at second and he probably hasn't totally recovered from arm surgery and has a relatively weak throwing arm. He could be a candidate for the outfield or first base.He played both first base and center field in the minors. Even with the lack of power, Keaschall can help the club by getting on base and running the bases well. He is probably the safest choice to be a major league regular for the Twins in the next 2-3 years.

Brooks Lee: After a rocky start with the bat, Lee has been a slightly above average hitter. It seems his time as a shortstop is over because he doesn't have the tools (arm and range) to be an acceptable major league shortstop. He has certainly improved as a hitter this year and he's produced a lot of runs. Lee has experience at second and third base. It would seem to me that his lack of foot speed would make him a liability at second and the Twins have played him exclusively at third since he was moved off shortstop. Lee has never played first base. I don't believe Lee has done enough to be written in as a regular at any position, but he's been the team's most consistent hitting infielder.

Royce Lewis: Wild ride this year. Lewis had a disappointing season in 2025, but finished the season healthy. Many, including myself, thought that if he could stay healthy, he would be solid if not much more than that, this year. Lewis started rather slowly, but was getting walks and extra-base hits, and then suffered a minor injury (10 days on the IL), but fell apart upon returning to the lineup. After a dreadful 9-68 slump, with only one extra-base hit (and 25 strikeouts) he was optioned to St. Paul. He's hit like Babe Ruth in Triple A, with a slash line in the stratosphere. What happens on his return and where does he play? To me, he's a total wild card. What is reinforced with Lewis' slugging at St. Paul is that he has tools to be more than a borderline major leaguer. He has more power and speed than Brooks Lee and has been a better defender at third base. However, Lee is now the incumbent. Maybe Lewis can move to second or first base. Wherever he plays, he needs to hit closer to his results in 2022-3 than what he's produced since. Lewis has complicated things by making some awkward statements that have many questioning his character, toughness and committment. I see a pretty substantial talent and want to give him a final chance.