Luke Keaschall Might Be a Much Better Outfielder Than He Was a Second Baseman

[LA Vikes Fan]

I think the Twins see real potential with Keaschall and are trying to find a spot where he can maximize that potential. He's only 23. and has hit .268/.349/.3685 (.717) in 456 ABs, with 52 walks and only 77 SOs. That's 508 plate appearances, basically 85-90% of one season's worth of regular time, and he has a .717 OPS, 10.2% BB rate, and a 15.2% SO rate.  He has speed and a .349 OBP. That's a decent regular NOW, and he is more likely than not going to get better with more experience. He has shown hitting competence at the MLB level while Emma, Jenkins, and GG are still trying to conquer AAA. Now, playing him in the OF may be holding back Roden who actually has conquered AAA, but I would argue its Fedko being on the roster and rostering a DH only player like Bell is what is keeping Roden down for now.  There is absolutely no reason why the Twins don't demote Fedko, promote Roden, and find Roden 15-20 ABs a week. Even better, demote Fedko, trade Bell, and now you have space to give a bunch of guys regular ABs. 

This season should be about finding the core for next year and beyond. Keaschall could be an integral part of that core, he could be a bench guy, he could be a AAAA player. We will never know if he is a keeper if he doesn't play. He's shown that 2B isn't going to be his long-term spot. I applaud Shelton for trying him in RF and giving him ABs. This is the year to find out if he can make it now. Same for Lee, same for Lewis, same for Kriedler. The jury is still out on all of these guys. PLAY THEM and FIND OUT.

 

[MMBoys93]

It seems more and more that we’re going to see an unexpected trade before the deadline. Moving Royce around to other positions and now Luke in the outfield while having six major league quality outfielders in Saint Paul means that something has to give here.

You deal from a point of strength here and retool for the future. There’s no way to get everyone ABs with 2 corner OF spots.

I have a couple names in mind that I could see getting moved but will keep it to myself for now. 

[LakesPibble]

6 hours ago, Sam Caulder said:

If there's one thing we've learned about the Twins this year, it's that they value defensive versatility

Translation:  if there's one thing we've learned this year, it's that we don't have many good fielders.

[RpR]

2 hours ago, Road trip said:

...so there is still time for him to become the player we *thought* he was going to be last year....

 

That chorus has been sung for SO many rookies, LOL.

[Hunter4848]

4 minutes ago, RpR said:

That chorus has been sung for SO many rookies, LOL.

Yeah the Twins organization constantly fails young players. 

[HeresWaldo]

He doesn't have the power required to be a good regular out there. I'm entirely willing to believe he can be a useful utility guy/platoon bat and I don't think people should be giving up on him, but I don't think he's a regular. Maybe he'll hit .300 and prove me wrong, but I doubt it. In a lot of ways I like Keashall and think the Twins should put more emphasis on fairly fast athletes like him when building their bench, but if he can't hit for power and can't play good defense at a premium position there's a pretty low ceiling in modern baseball. 

[HarmonK03]

I am still baffled by this move.  If feels like they are giving up on him to a certain extent.  He has had a years worth of games at 2B.  He has had some good games and to me it looks like he is thinking and not reacting.  The best way to solve that is reps.  For those who say he should be sent down to work on his defense, what can they do in AAA that our major league staff can't.  I think they need to show more patience especially when there is not a clear replacement.  Clemens should be in a utility role moving around to get his bat in the lineup while he is producing.

Is there any kind of plan for this team, they have completely remade the infield barely halfway into the season.  Defensively no one regressed at their position, they didn't improve but I don't feel there was regression.  So then why weren't these moves made at the beginning of the season or better yet wait until of this season.  Not to mention as others have we have at least 6 corner outfielders that are going to pushing up for at least a look between now and the end of 2027.  So you add another player to that mix, where again is the plan.  Not every player is a finished product and he did look better playing next to Kreidler, you can't totally dismiss the instability at SS and the impact on Keaschall.  He has the athleticism and his arm probably plays best at second.

It would be nice if we could develop more than one or two players to be productive starters in the majors.  But part of that is showing patience, something that has been in short supply with many of the younger players under the Falvey regime.  And even though Falvey is gone, all the supporting cast is still there and they are not operating much differently than in the past.

[Jacksson]

Let's examine the 2025 offseason, 2026 Spring Training and the second half of the 2026 season and make some observations with respect to the front office, the manager, the coaches, and ownership.

Third Base = Was Royce Lewis, Now Brooks Lee

Shortstop = Was Brooks Lee, Now Tristin Gray & Ryan Kreidler

Second Base = Was Luke Keaschall, Now Kody Clemons

First Base = Josh Bell & Kody Clemons, Now Royce Lewis

Right Field = Matt Wallner & Austin Martin, Now Luke Keaschall

Center Field = Byron Buxton & James Outman, Now Byron Buxton, Ryan Kreidler, Kody Clemons

Left Field = Trevor Larnach, Now Trevor Larnach

Catcher = Ryan Jeffers & Victor Caratini, Now Victor Caratini & Alex Jackson

DH = Trevor Larnach, Josh Bell, Byron Buxton, Now Josh Bell

Certainly does not instill much confidence in the organization and their ability to identify, analyze, coach and utilize the on field product.  What in the heck were they doing?  The time and place to learn and start at new positions IS NOT when the season begins !! 

 

[Mike Sixel]

25 minutes ago, Jacksson said:

Let's examine the 2025 offseason, 2026 Spring Training and the second half of the 2026 season and make some observations with respect to the front office, the manager, the coaches, and ownership.

Third Base = Was Royce Lewis, Now Brooks Lee

Shortstop = Was Brooks Lee, Now Tristin Gray & Ryan Kreidler

Second Base = Was Luke Keaschall, Now Kody Clemons

First Base = Josh Bell & Kody Clemons, Now Royce Lewis

Right Field = Matt Wallner & Austin Martin, Now Luke Keaschall

Center Field = Byron Buxton & James Outman, Now Byron Buxton, Ryan Kreidler, Kody Clemons

Left Field = Trevor Larnach, Now Trevor Larnach

Catcher = Ryan Jeffers & Victor Caratini, Now Victor Caratini & Alex Jackson

DH = Trevor Larnach, Josh Bell, Byron Buxton, Now Josh Bell

Certainly does not instill much confidence in the organization and their ability to identify, analyze, coach and utilize the on field product.  What in the heck were they doing?  The time and place to learn and start at new positions IS NOT when the season begins !! 

 

I mean, other than Bell and Outman, what would you have done differently to start the year? They've made adjustments, that's good! I assume you are somehow blaming them for Jeffers injury? Like, ?

[HarmonK03]

21 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

I mean, other than Bell and Outman, what would you have done differently to start the year? They've made adjustments, that's good! I assume you are somehow blaming them for Jeffers injury? Like, ?

How are Lee, Lewis and Keaschall any different from the beginning of the season?  If they were good enough to start the season at their positions and haven't regressed defensively, then why make the change now.  Especially with no real upgrades at their positions.  It was change for change sake.  These changes should have been made at the beginning of the season or next off-season bring in better performing players to replace them.  There is no plan and tonight's lineup further illustrates this.

[twinstalker]

You're saying he can play OF?  Big whoop.  Most players outside of Miguel Sano can.

The question is whether he can play OF (including hitting) better than anyone besides Buxton and Jenkins.  If not, he's not worthy of starting out there.

[ashbury]

1 hour ago, twinstalker said:

You're saying he can play OF?  Big whoop.  Most players outside of Miguel Sano can.

There's a reason up the middle are called "skill" positions, and corner outfield is not.

[tony&rodney]

Derek Shelton and the coaching staff did not sign the players that came to Spring Training. Since the beginning of the year we have watched the club undergo a slow transformation. The incumbents had a shot and some have been shifted or moved out. There was opportunity for guys like Outman, Wallner, and others to hold their positions. Clearly the defense needed work and the moves made have improved the team and created outs. There is still work to do and improvements to be made but the staff is doing a good job of making baseball decisions.

As far as what happens to Luke Keaschall, we will need to wait a while before the next moves are made. Thus the window for Keaschall to produce is still open. 

[mluebker]

Yeah, he looks completely comfortable out there. What luck that they pulled RF out of the hat when they decided it was time to move him someplace where his sparkling defensive skills could really be showcased. Heck, maybe this is exactly the move that will destroy his confidence entirely.

[mluebker]

6 hours ago, Jacksson said:

What in the heck were they doing?

It’s the new “Twins way.” No one really gets to learn a position well or play it regularly—that archaic approach never works. Meanwhile, does Kody have any brothers?

[Road trip]

20 hours ago, RpR said:

That chorus has been sung for SO many rookies, LOL.

Gotcha... so instead of giving him some time at AAA to improve his game the Twins should just release him.  23 years old... apparently in your world if you can't perform well at 23 you never will. 

[jorgenswest]

On 6/29/2026 at 6:46 AM, Linus said:

I think he looked pretty good out there for the first time I will join the chorus wondering why he isn’t in LF where his arm is less of a liability and his speed is more of an asset in the larger LF. It might be that they think he will read the ball off the bat better in RF having played the right side of the infield but that’s just a guess. What I know for sure is the bar to clear for acceptable hitting just got raised significantly. No way his current level of hitting is good enough for a corner outfielder on a legit playoff team. 

I am sure you are correct and that reading the ball off the same side makes the transition more likely for success. Left field might be the spot longer term if his bat works.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

On 6/29/2026 at 12:56 PM, Hunter4848 said:

Yeah the Twins organization constantly fails young players. 

This team is soooo old

[Richie the Rally Goat]

At 23 years old and a serviceable mlb hitter, I think it’s good to give him reps in the outfield.

[DocBauer]

Honestly, I have some misgivings about Keaschall moving to the OF at this point. I'm certainly baffled by some of the plays he's made, or haven't made, at 2B. I'm certainly not blind. Despite his athleticism, he's looked either "robotic" at 2B, or seemed to be thinking too much and not reacting.

But Julien got over 200 games at 2B, and Keaschall isn't close to that. Have they given up on him too soon there? Or is this Zole flexing opinion muscle different than Falvey would have?

However, the answer to Keaschall being a better OF is a pretty easy YES as an answer. If he can simply track balls well enough, his speed can make him a solid, if not very good OF. But I don't understand him being in RF to keep Larnach comfortable in LF, where he has improved some. Larnach has the better arm, RF has less area to cover, and he's also played quite a lot in RF at Target Field previously. I really don't see where moving him to RF should suddenly make him uncomfortable and affect his bat. But I'm not in charge of these things.

BUT, once again, Keaschall might have a very hard time carving out a full time roll in the OF going forward. Fedko SHOULD have broke with the Twins, and still might be the first OF promoted. We can also argue Rodriguez should have broke camp with the Twins, but HE might have been first in line for promotion before he got hurt. (SLIDING DOORS philosophy, do either Roden or Rodriguez get hurt had they made the opening day roster)?

Jenkins was really heating up before his injury. He's off to a solid start now that he's back. Right now, he and Roden both might be ahead of Wallner for various reasons.

Beyond those guys, Gonzalez has been swinging a pretty good bat since an awful April. And he provides a RH OF this team really lacks. And while Mendez is still really young, and didn't start the season at AAA, he's looking like a hitting MACHINE with at least SOME budding power. The Twins should CONTINUE with BOTH Gonzalez and Mendez working at 1B. Even if they are best at DH, and occasional corner OF play, and even IF Lewis keeps improving with the glove and bat, depth and lineup versatility are important.

IDK that Keaschall's move to the OF is permanent at this point. But let's play a small version of Fantasy Baseball for a moment. Lee is looking solid and comfortable at 3B. And while I still think there's room for his bat to improve, he's on pace for 20+ HR and 80+ RBI. Lewis is taking to 1B like a quality handmade glove to hand. And the offense has absolutely improved. By this time next year, we MIGHT be viewing Houston much in the same way we looked at Keaschall coming in to 2025, and having the same hopeful expectations we have for K-Pepper right now, and how we felt about him coming in to the season.

If Houston takes a little longer, that's OK. The point is the same. K-Pepper should be up really soon to take over SS, at least for a while. But Houston is the best GLOVE SS that we've had in the system...with legitimate ML ability...since when/who? Guzman 20 years ago?

So SOME combination of Lee, Houston, Culpepper...swap Lee and Houston if you wish...and Lewis at 1B makes a HELL of a good INF. So it's possible Keaschall gets moved eventually regardless.

I like Keaschall's HIT and OB ability and his baserunning and speed. He DOESN'T have to be a HR power hitter, even though HR are nice. But the ability to lace gapers for Dbls is something he DOES need to work on power wise.

While I'm not expecting ALL of our OF to "turn out" there is a TON of potential there. But I remain concerned of a lack of balance with Gonzalez being the only RH bat besides Buxton. And while Kreidler simply might have turned a corner with his bat at 28yo, I still like him in an INF role who CAN play the OF.

But I'm starting to believe that Keaschall is going to be a utility player. And like Marwin Gonzalez and Castro, he might be an almost daily player. I think he's a better version of Martin. He'll end up as a LF and CF...which he's played before and seems to have some aptitude...as well as playing 2B, and some 1B...which he's also played...and an occasional DH. I don't know if SUPER UTILITY fits if he can't play SS, but that's not only semantics, but Kreidler, and possibly Ross at some point, have SS and the "verbage" of Super Utility covered.

Betting/banking on a 13 man roster for 2027...IMMEDIATE FUTURE EXPECTED...Caratini and Jackson are the catchers.

ASSUMING Clemens is not traded, and I don't think he will be for various reasons, he fits POSSIBLY as a sorta primary 2B, but he will continue to move around. Lee is at 3B. Lewis is at 1B. K-Pepper at least BEGINS 2027 at SS. Kreidler is the SU to begin the season. (Again, this waiting on Houston for NOW).

While the OF is a CLUSTER right NOW, we still know how this is probably going to turn out. Buxton in CF, and Rodriguez and Jenkins in the corners. Simple math, that's 10 with 3 to go. Keaschall will be a 2B/1B/DH/OF because his offense offers something the team NEEDS. He's a solid HITTER with a great OB ability, and good speed and quality base running. In fact, with just a little more pop/power, he's probably the IDEAL #1 hitter going forward. Something we haven't had in a while.

Yes I'm rambling. But a move to the OF for Keaschall is much more than just a better spot for him. It's also VERY MUCH impacted by the OF talent sitting currently at AAA, injuries and slower than hoped for promotions be damned.

Kreidler is the SU. Keaschall is also a SU player if you ignore SS. THAT'S his role going forward. It's where he best "fits".

Again, simple math. Keaschall makes 11 of 13.

* Gonzalez, Mendez, Roden, and Martin are the final 2 with a healthy roster. All of Gonzalez, Mendez and Roden POTENTIALLY can back up Lewis at 1B, play both corner OF spots, and bring a varied collection of power and speed. Roden can also help cover CF, though it's not necessarily needed with Rodriguez, Jenkins, and even Keaschall playing there, which he has done at the MILB level.

So where does Martin fit in unless someone is injured, or just has a bad ST? Or MAYBE, the Twins hold Gonzalez or Mendez back to begin 2027 simply for depth, and because they are still very young, and maybe they want them to work on better defense.

But you can see how Keaschall either FITS, or mixes up the young OF, or just ADDS to the depth and versatility of the team and the lineup.

It wasn't my intention to hijack the OP in any way. But there ARE ramifications of any move of him to the OF that HAVE to be considered.