Ryan Kreidler is Turning Back into a Pumpkin at the Plate

[Mike Sixel]

1 hour ago, mickster said:

I truly don't understand the desire to get Culpepper up?  Without a move - who goes?  I prefer to leave him where he is until necessary at this point 

He's possibly a much better hitter than Kriedler, who becomes super utility guy. Trade or DFA Bell. Or trade Martin. 

[amjgt]

I totally understand the Twins Daily cycle of writing an article, it getting edited, then get scheduled for publication, but I still can't help but chuckle at the timing of this article's release.

[Twins GFP]

What a weird sight...

A negative article and the comment section being overwhelmingly positive.

[Craig Arko]

The Great Pumpkin rises out of the pumpkin patch. 

[Rigby]

1 hour ago, Road trip said:

Agree he's not been great lately, but on the year his OPS+ is better than the following guys who play lower on the defensive spectrum:

Bell (who, as we know, has no position)
Keaschall
Martin
Lewis

...and he's only a point behind Brooks Lee.

Since the All Star break the lineup is a vegetable stand of pumpkins in the batter's box.  Until Culpepper or someone else is ready though, I'll take Kreidler at SS.

Breaking : Defensive problems plaguing the Twins have been exposed....

[Rigby]

Just now, Rigby said:

Breaking : Defensive problems plaguing the Twins have been exposed....

 

[Western SD Fan]

 

Now for seriousness.  Kreidler is that player which we all want to root for.  Think Astudillo, Thielbar, or Punto.  We all know there are better players, but to watch him get his chance and seeing him perform better than expectations are fun to cheer in a year with little expectations.  I think he even knows that he is a placeholder for Culpepper.  Kreidler has proven that he is the best current option and I will cheer for him until he is replaced.  I also rooted for Astudillo trying to run around the bases as well.  I love folk heroes and that is what Kreidler has become for the year.

[Vanimal46]

8 hours ago, Cody Schoenmann said:

forgive me father kreidler for i have doubts

Join us in the purified waters of Lake Minnetonka 

 

[soyouresayingtheresachance]

SS is traditionally one of the weakest offensive positions in baseball. Teams settle for low output to get great defensive value. 

Kriedlers approach at the plate has been different this year and its mostly worked so far. But I truly feel he could be the starting SS the rest of the season if needed. His defense has been so much better than anyone else on the team even if his bat fell off a bit, its still the best option we have. 

Once Culpepper is ready, then we'll have one heck of a defensive utility guy. 

[HarmonK03]

7 hours ago, soyouresayingtheresachance said:

SS is traditionally one of the weakest offensive positions in baseball. Teams settle for low output to get great defensive value. 

Kriedlers approach at the plate has been different this year and its mostly worked so far. But I truly feel he could be the starting SS the rest of the season if needed. His defense has been so much better than anyone else on the team even if his bat fell off a bit, its still the best option we have. 

Once Culpepper is ready, then we'll have one heck of a defensive utility guy. 

He's hitting .150 in July that is more than falling off a bit, that is a crater at the plate.

[JD-TWINS]

19 hours ago, Dman said:

The whole team has been in a bit of a hitting funk since the break.  Kreidler's numbers are just more impacted because of the small sample size.  I can't say I haven't been concerned about his hitting recently, but he does hit the ball hard just generally right at people.

Buxton has been O-fer whatever since he came back.  Lee has had long streaks of O-fers as well as other players.  I think there has been some improvement at the plate and he plays outstanding defense at short.  I haven't seen a Twins shortstop make the plays he has in a long time.  I'll be waiting to see what his numbers look like at the end of the season before being too judgey. 

Kreidler - an absolute scorched line drive right at the left fielder and 3 doubles……..that’s his latest game. He is going to hit .215-.230 …… fine. I wish he would bunt a bit more and utilize his speed, particularly in dry spells. He can steal bases when he gets on …… solid D…..,he’s just fine in ‘26!

[tony&rodney]

Criticisms of Ryan Kreidler as a hitter are totally fair and Kreidler is not prime time Andrelton Simmons in the field. Ryan Kreidler is, however, a decent shortstop and the only currently rostered player who can adequately play that important position. The other options are poor. No, Matt Wallner is not a shortstop or an outfielder. Perhaps by mid August Kaelen Culpepper takes the steps needed to be called up but that is about it. Until another player arrives who can turn outs into outs and not watch those outs become base hits, Ryan Kreidler needs to be the shortstop.

[soyouresayingtheresachance]

1 hour ago, HarmonK03 said:

He's hitting .150 in July that is more than falling off a bit, that is a crater at the plate.

Let me clarify a little. Having Kriedler as the starting SS may not be ideal because of the questions about the bat. But the defense is much better than average at the position. What I meant was that I believe he can handle the position just fine until Culpepper is ready to come up. If Culpepper doesn't come up this year, Kriedlers defense is more than good enough to warrant a starting job. Hopefully his bat comes back from that .150 a little but even .225 or so the rest of the way with his defense would be acceptable.