I Regret to Inform You That Trevor Larnach Is Still Not a Good Defensive Left Fielder

[Cody Schoenmann]

Eighty-six games into the 2026 MLB regular season, Trevor Larnach has started 58 games in left field for the Minnesota Twins, accounting for roughly 68% of starts at the position. At first glance, this development comes as a moderate surprise. Entering the season, Larnach wasn’t expected to occupy a full-time role at either corner outfield spot, evidenced by him splitting time in left with platoon partner Austin Martin and Matt Wallner being the full-time right fielder early this spring.

 

Yet, given Wallner’s demotion to Triple-A, Martin’s subsequent move to right field (and eventual demotion back to a bench bat), and the organization’s younger, inexperienced corner outfield options Alan Roden, Gabriel Gonzalez, Emmanuel Rodriguez, Walker Jenkins, and Hendry Mendez not yet receiving extended opportunities in the majors, Larnach has become the club’s full-time left fielder.

 

Circumstance isn’t the only reason for Larnach’s unexpected full-time role. Hitting .288/.381/.437 (good for a 131 wRC+), The 29-year-old’s bat has become a mainstay, often hitting in the upper-third of the club’s lineup. He has become an irreplaceable piece in Minnesota’s ability to succeed this season offensively. That being the case, he has received extended opportunities in the field. Unlike his sustained success at the plate, however, Larnach hasn’t improved defensively, despite how hard those in the Twins.TV broadcast booth try to persuade you otherwise.

 

Over 139 attempts in left field, Larnach has manufactured -4 Outs Above Average (OAA), tying him for the second-lowest rating at the position alongside Isaac Collins and Yohendrick Piñango. Larnach’s downfall, in particular, is that he struggles getting to balls hit both to his left and right. He’s servicable on balls hit in front of and behind him. However, the quality of a corner outfielder comes in their ability to chase down balls in the gaps and corners—Larnach struggles at both.

 

Let’s take a look at some examples.

What do you think the catch probability was of this ball? Close your eyes and think about it for a second before continuing to read this piece. Okay—are you ready? Have you regrouped? Okay, it was 99%. Larnach had 4.1 seconds to travel the 48 feet necessary to catch that ball. Instead, he stood flat-footed for multiple seconds as the bloop off Max Muncy’s bat traveled through the air before landing for a single. That’s not what a plus fielder does, Cory Provus!

Let’s take a look at a more challenging ball put into play.

Let’s play the same game. Close your ey—It had a 95% catch probability. Larnach had 5.4 seconds to travel the 68 feet necessary to catch the ball hit off rookie icon Kevin McGonigle’s bat. Instead, he took a poor route and misplayed, allowing McGonigle to course into second with a double. That's not what an improved left fielder does, Justin Morneau!

Finally, let’s take a look at a play that appears incredible, but should have been much less dramatic.

The ball hit by Sam Antonacci had a 55% catch probability, with Larnach trekking 82 feet in 4.9 seconds to make the catch. Again, this was a nice play by the long-time Twin, and he deserves credit for making the tough catch. That being said, more agile left fielders likely would have gotten under that ball, removing the theatrics entirely. 

Larnach is slightly faster this season, improving from a 26.1 ft/sec sprint speed in 2025 to 26.9 ft/sec this season. It is also true that his arm value and strength have improved mightily in 2026. Still, he’s clunky— often getting poor jumps and failing to reach balls hit to his left and right that average left fielders catch with ease. Again, Larnach has been an incredible surprise at the plate for the Twins this season, but we need to stay measured. He isn’t a good defensive left fielder—In fact, he’s one of the worst in the league.

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[LA Vikes Fan]

Sadly, I think you're right. Larnach probably needs to be a 4th OF/DH playing 5 days a week but 3-4 of them as the DH. Of course then what do you do with Bell now and, if he's traded, Wallner? Bottom line is we need his bat in the lineup so we gotta play him somewhere. LF or maybe RF is the logical and maybe only available spot 

[Dman]

Yeah that's why he fits better in the Bell role than left field.  He can play Left in a pinch but shouldn't be out there everyday IMO.  We'll see where this team is at the end of July, but if they want to improve this teams defense as they have stated, Larnach isn't going to be a part of that.

[Nshore]

Leave Larnach alone and go get some relief pitching.

[Linus]

I give Trevor credit for off season work that has made him quicker. It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that watches a lot of ball that he is still a sub par fielder. To me this is an example of the pitfall of constantly worrying about raising the floor as opposed to raising the ceiling. Trevor, along with several other regulars, would have no chance of being a starter on a legit playoff team. 

[Parfigliano]

22 minutes ago, Nshore said:

Leave Larnach alone and go get some relief pitching.

Larnach will never be good defensively.  Be happy he is hitting well above average.

[Nshore]

I guess I don't look at the short term priorities for this team and say "I wish the left fielder could catch the ball better."   That's a concern for another season.

[RpR]

41 minutes ago, Nshore said:

I guess I don't look at the short term priorities for this team and say "I wish the left fielder could catch the ball better."   That's a concern for another season.

The odd thing is , he is much better in Right Field, but they stick him in left fiedl.

[Sjoski]

Well...at least he's an upgrade from Delmon Young....true...not by much!!!

[Chad Freyer]

Manny Ramirez was an atrocious left fielder. BUT, if you can hit, there is a place for you in the MLB,