Outfield Whisperer Grady Sizemore Needs to Speak Louder to Luke Keaschall

[Matthew Trueblood]

Image courtesy of Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

"I just follow the card," Luke Keaschall said last week, standing in the home dugout at Target Field. "I take the card Grady makes for me and go where he tells me."

Keaschall has been an outfielder for just over a month now and racked up 246 innings there so far, with 137 of those innings coming in center field. He's doing his best to sand off the rough edges, but he's a confident athlete who wants to trust his instincts and play without fear. He's highly complimentary of Sizemore, who wants the same things.

"He just tells us to be free, be relaxed and ready out there," Keaschall said. "He wants us to be comfortable and go get the ball; pretty simple."

It is. It also isn't, and there seems to be a key detail Keaschall, Sizemore and the Twins have overlooked. As Cody Schoenmann wrote last month, Keaschall has been playing deeper in center field than almost anyone else in the sport, often to the detriment of his ability to catch lazy fly balls. After Keaschall noted that the positioning card with which the team furnishes him indicates in which direction and by how much to shade each batter, I asked how he and Sizemore set his initial position. Therein, as it turns out, lies the rub: It's all Keaschall. Trying to preserve his comfort, the Twins have been hands-off when it comes to setting the default starting spot for Keaschall in center. He adjusts based on information from batter to batter, but his anchor—his starting point, taking the batter's tendencies out of the equation—is his own to drop.

That's a mistake, and it's become a glaring one. When a ball falls in front of Keaschall because of a poor read or a mistaken last-second adjustment—two things we've seen happen to him multiple times already—that's understandable. Even great athletes need time to learn the nuances and to get accustomed to the specific skills of playing a new position. Over the weekend, we saw the latest instance of that, when Keaschall was unable to catch a ball that had a 90% catch probability, based on his starting position, the landing point of the ball and the hang time on the ball. He took a bad route, and when he did bend his run in toward the sinking liner, he did so too hesitantly.

However, just as often, we're seeing Keaschall prove unable to catch balls that should have been not only catchable, but easy. They're not even counting against him in some defensive metrics, because based on his starting position, they were uncatchable—but that's an indictment of his starting position, which he and the Twins say is his own to determine right now. This ball, which Keaschall misplayed into a triple, counts against him almost only because of the extra bases he allowed by mishandling the ball, according to Statcast. It gives the liner a 5% catch probability. But if Keaschall had been playing 10 feet shallower (as he unequivocally should have been, against low-power Nico Hoerner), that expected catch rate would be much, much higher. Whether Keaschall himself would have gotten to the ball is a fair question, but by starting so deep, he gave himself no chance.

One reason for the Twins' willingness to let Keaschall play so deep, manager Derek Shelton indicated, is so he can feel less fear and be at less risk when going back toward the wall. That benefit hasn't materialized, though. More than once, Keaschall has gotten too close to the wall and had the ball carom past him. More than once, he's short-armed possible catches as he nears the wall, bracing for impact rather than making the play. Meanwhile, he's been forced to charge in an out-of-control way on liners in front of him, often with disastrous results. 

The coaching staff needs to intervene, rather than passively waiting for Keaschall to get more comfortable and move in a few steps. They need to address this issue immediately, to clean up their defense at a vital spot while Byron Buxton remains on the injured list. Unless and until they do, Sizemore's capacity to influence his pupils will go to waste where Keaschall is concerned.

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[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

Keaschall's home is most likely at 2nd base.  I would rather him get more opportunity there.  

[c24]

I'm not convinced that Sizemore is an OF whisperer. The start of the season we kept on hearing how Larnach was improved defensively but that just has not been the case at all. It's painful watching him chase fly balls sometimes.

[bean5302]

How to open and close a glove when the baseball arrives is something that can be taught to a guy who was supposed to learn that 10 years ago? Literally, that's Keaschall's problem. Doesn't know how to catch a baseball when he gets to it.

[LA Vikes Fan]

I agree that it can be painful to watch Larnach chase fly balls but I don't think that's Sizemore's fault. I think that's because Larnach simply can't run for crap. The guy has a great skill in putting the bat to the ball but he is not a great athlete by any stretch of the imagination. To call him lumbering is actually a compliment. Still, he runs better than Wallner, who I would describe as more glacial in approach. I'm not sure whose idea it was to put Buxton in center, flank him with those two guys, and expect to have a competent defensive outfield. I hope whoever that was is no longer in a position of authority. 

[Bodie]

I've seen very few players look so athletic getting near to a ball in play, and so unathlethic when he's there!

[RpR]

2 hours ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

Keaschall's home is most likely at 2nd base.  I would rather him get more opportunity there.  

Yeah, he is SO good at Second Base.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

3 minutes ago, RpR said:

Yeah, he is SO good at Second Base.

I see him as a more athletic Dozier that will improve with more time in the position.  

Standard											Total Zone		DRS		Range Factor				Baserunners
Season	Age	Team	Lg	Pos	G	GS	CG	Inn	Ch	PO	A	E	DP	Fld%	lgFld%	Rtot	Rtot/yr	Rdrs	Rdrs/yr	RF/9	lgRF9	RF/G	lgRFG	SB	CS	Pick	Awards
9 Yrs					1122	1094	1024	9665.0	5039	1864	3100	7
2012	25	MIN	AL	SS	83	81	81	732.1	413	111	287	15	70	.964	.977	-5	-8	1	2	4.89	4.43	4.80	4.40
2013	26	MIN	AL	2B	146	141	135	1255.1	734	267	461	6	110	.992	.985	-1	-1	-3	-3	5.22	4.64	4.99	4.62
2014	27	MIN	AL	2B	156	155	150	1361.0	751	261	475	15	98	.980	.984	-11	-10	3	3	4.87	4.61	4.72	4.60
2015	28	MIN	AL	2B	157	157	148	1383.0	767	303	456	8	111	.990	.983	-7	-6	0	0	4.94	4.58	4.83	4.55				AS,MVP-28
2016	29	MIN	AL	2B	151	151	143	1331.0	713	286	419	8	118	.989	.983	-5	-5	-2	-2	4.77	4.49	4.67	4.44				MVP-13
2016	29	MIN	AL	DH	2	2																0.00					MVP-13
2017	30	MIN	AL	2B	152	151	138	1311.0	674	264	405	5	109	.993	.983	2	2	1	1	4.59	4.35	4.40	4.30				MVP-11,GG
2018	31	2TM	2LG	2B	148	141	125	1253.0	572	218	342	12	79	.979	.982	-3	-3	-5	-5	4.02	4.17	3.78	4.14
2018	31	MIN	AL	2B	103	101	98	906.1	418	150	260	8	60	.981	.982	-3	-5	-7	-9	4.07	4.12	3.98	4.08
2018	31	LAD	NL	2B	45	40	27	346.2	154	68	82	4	19	.974	.982	0	1	2	7	3.89	4.31	3.33	4.29
2019	32	WSN	NL	2B	123	114	103	1009.0	398	145	248	5	61	.987	.983	-5	-6	0	0	3.51	4.15	3.20	4.13
2019	32	WSN	NL	P	1	0	0	1.0	0	0	0	0	0					0	0	0.00	1.80	0.00	1.60	0	0	0
2020	33	NYM	NL	2B	5	3	1	28.1	17	9	7	1	3	.941	.978	0	-17	-2	-85	5.08	3.97	3.20	3.80
2020	33	NYM	NL	DH	1	1																0.00

[farmerguychris]

I get it, but man thats tough.  He's learning a new position on the fly, appears to not be complaining about it and he's playing deep so nothing goes over his head..

What did they think would happen when you put a 2nd basemen in CF.  Let him gain confidence in right for a year before moving him to the big space of CF - IMO.

[purplesoldier4u]

13 minutes ago, farmerguychris said:

I get it, but man thats tough.  He's learning a new position on the fly, appears to not be complaining about it and he's playing deep so nothing goes over his head..

What did they think would happen when you put a 2nd basemen in CF.  Let him gain confidence in right for a year before moving him to the big space of CF - IMO.

Indeed. Playing out of position has its consequences; see Royce Lewis, 1B.

[RpR]

1 hour ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

I see him as a more athletic Dozier that will improve with more time in the position.  

Standard											Total Zone		DRS		Range Factor				Baserunners
Season	Age	Team	Lg	Pos	G	GS	CG	Inn	Ch	PO	A	E	DP	Fld%	lgFld%	Rtot	Rtot/yr	Rdrs	Rdrs/yr	RF/9	lgRF9	RF/G	lgRFG	SB	CS	Pick	Awards
9 YDrs					1122	1094	1024	9665.0	5039	1864	3100	7
2012	25	MIN	AL	SS	83	81	81	732.1	413	111	287	15	70	.964	.977	-5	-8	1	2	4.89	4.43	4.80	4.40
2013	26	MIN	AL	2B	146	141	135	1255.1	734	267	461	6	110	.992	.985	-1	-1	-3	-3	5.22	4.64	4.99	4.62
2014	27	MIN	AL	2B	156	155	150	1361.0	751	261	475	15	98	.980	.984	-11	-10	3	3	4.87	4.61	4.72	4.60
2015	28	MIN	AL	2B	157	157	148	1383.0	767	303	456	8	111	.990	.983	-7	-6	0	0	4.94	4.58	4.83	4.55				AS,MVP-28
2016	29	MIN	AL	2B	151	151	143	1331.0	713	286	419	8	118	.989	.983	-5	-5	-2	-2	4.77	4.49	4.67	4.44				MVP-13
2016	29	MIN	AL	DH	2	2																0.00					MVP-13
2017	30	MIN	AL	2B	152	151	138	1311.0	674	264	405	5	109	.993	.983	2	2	1	1	4.59	4.35	4.40	4.30				MVP-11,GG
2018	31	2TM	2LG	2B	148	141	125	1253.0	572	218	342	12	79	.979	.982	-3	-3	-5	-5	4.02	4.17	3.78	4.14
2018	31	MIN	AL	2B	103	101	98	906.1	418	150	260	8	60	.981	.982	-3	-5	-7	-9	4.07	4.12	3.98	4.08
2018	31	LAD	NL	2B	45	40	27	346.2	154	68	82	4	19	.974	.982	0	1	2	7	3.89	4.31	3.33	4.29
2019	32	WSN	NL	2B	123	114	103	1009.0	398	145	248	5	61	.987	.983	-5	-6	0	0	3.51	4.15	3.20	4.13
2019	32	WSN	NL	P	1	0	0	1.0	0	0	0	0	0					0	0	0.00	1.80	0.00	1.60	0	0	0
2020	33	NYM	NL	2B	5	3	1	28.1	17	9	7	1	3	.941	.978	0	-17	-2	-85	5.08	3.97	3.20	3.80
2020	33	NYM	NL	DH	1	1																0.00

Dozier was never that bad and Keaschall is getting worse.

He looks too much like Julien at 2nd base, he Never got better.

[Road trip]

Of course Keaschall looks lost.  20 games played in the outfield in his entire life prior to this year (counting minors and college... perhaps he played there a bit in high school, but I kinda doubt it).  Maybe add in a few more in spring training this year...those stats weren't handy.  Sizemore is likely a good coach, but he isn't a miracle worker.  It's unlikely there is anybody in MLB getting regular outfield playing time that has less experience than Keaschall.  He *should* get better after playing about a thousand innings in center field.  Time will tell.

[Cory Engelhardt]

I do hope this offseason Keaschall can throw a LOT of focus on a defensive position that he will play ongoing. If it is outfield, great. If it is 2b, great. It is hard to learn on the fly, and he is athletic enough to handle any number of positions, Corey Koskie and Justin Morneau were just as bad at their respective positions when they initially debuted, and Keaschall appears to be someone who is a "gym rat" of sorts that will try and learn and become better. With good coaching and a focus this offseason, I do think he can become better at a spot that he can focus on. We'll see if that ultimately is more outfield or more in the dirt.

Beyond all else, I hope they do extend Keaschall ongoing. He feels like someone (along with Jenkins and Lackey, and maybe a few others) who you want for the long haul. 

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

8 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

I do hope this offseason Keaschall can throw a LOT of focus on a defensive position that he will play ongoing. If it is outfield, great. If it is 2b, great. It is hard to learn on the fly, and he is athletic enough to handle any number of positions, Corey Koskie and Justin Morneau were just as bad at their respective positions when they initially debuted, and Keaschall appears to be someone who is a "gym rat" of sorts that will try and learn and become better. With good coaching and a focus this offseason, I do think he can become better at a spot that he can focus on. We'll see if that ultimately is more outfield or more in the dirt.

Beyond all else, I hope they do extend Keaschall ongoing. He feels like someone (along with Jenkins and Lackey, and maybe a few others) who you want for the long haul. 

Keaschall is a former wrestler who will grind until he figures it out.  He doesn't get frustrated,  he just keeps pounding away until he gets better.   Offense is still his bread and butter,  but pitchers adjusted to him earlier this year,  started pitching him differently.  Guess what - he adjusted continued to grind is again having good success with the bat again.   I have little doubt that he will get better at a defensive position that he is truly dedicated to.   

[mrmpls]

Eddie Julien  mr  strikeout                                                                                                                           

Edouard Julien's major league strikeout rate (K%) has fluctuated year-to-year, standing at 31.4% in 2023, peaking at 33.9% in 2024, and moving to 29.3% in 2025. [1]

Year-to-Year MLB Strikeout Breakdown

• 2023 (Minnesota Twins): 31.4% strikeout percentage (128 strikeouts in 408 plate appearances)

• 2024 (Minnesota Twins): 33.9% strikeout percentage (102 strikeouts in 301 plate appearances)

• 2025 (Minnesota Twins): 29.3% strikeout percentage (61 strikeouts in 208 plate appearances) [1]

• Luke kueschell strikeout rate                                                                                                                

Luke Keaschall has kept a very steady and low strikeout rate from his rookie year to his sophomore season, hovering around 14%. [1]

Year-to-Year MLB Strikeout Data

• 2025 Season (Rookie with Minnesota Twins):
  • Plate Appearances (PA): 207
  • At Bats (AB): 182
  • Strikeouts (SO): 29
  • Strikeout Percentage (K%): 14.0% [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

• 2026 Season (Sophomore with Minnesota Twins, through August 2):
  • Plate Appearances (PA): 410
  • At Bats (AB): 350
  •  

   Fact--      your boy eddie  30+%   Luke  14%

[Jacksson]

Keaschall will gain CF experience over the remainder of the season after it is announced that Buxton will under go season ending hip surgery

[weitz41]

Maybe he should stop whispering and start yelling?

[TheLeviathan]

I don't understand how we're serious contenders AND playing a guy who has never played CF.....in CF.  

He's a LF or he's not on this team in the future, it's that simple from where I sit.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

2 hours ago, weitz41 said:

Maybe he should stop whispering and start yelling?

I propose sign language.  

[ashbury]

2 minutes ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

I propose sign language.  

or ...

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

1 minute ago, ashbury said:

or ...

Or just say he has a hearing issue and equip him with a cochlear implant that is paired with a microphone.   LOL

[tony&rodney]

First off, Luke Keaschall is doing the best he can. He had to be moved out of the infield. The arm is not playable for starters. Luke takes a second before he reacts to a batted ball. In the infield that just doesn't work. The ball is either by you or you are surprised by the ball and it handcuffs you. Instinctual first step quickness is necessary for an infielder. Keaschall doesn't have it. The outfield is proving to be pretty difficult as well but he does have closing speed to make some, plays/ catch the ball. His best position is DH. It would be a good idea for Keaschall to play shallower. He is too deep. To be fair, which current Twins is a good outfielder? Buxton could be out the remainder of the year and so Keaschall will get some time out there.

[RpR]

15 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

First off, Luke Keaschall is doing the best he can. He had to be moved out of the infield. The arm is not playable for starters. Luke takes a second before he reacts to a batted ball. In the infield that just doesn't work. The ball is either by you or you are surprised by the ball and it handcuffs you. Instinctual first step quickness is necessary for an infielder. Keaschall doesn't have it. The outfield is proving to be pretty difficult as well but he does have closing speed to make some, plays/ catch the ball. His best position is DH. It would be a good idea for Keaschall to play shallower. He is too deep. To be fair, which current Twins is a good outfielder? Buxton could be out the remainder of the year and so Keaschall will get some time out there.

Too bad really; his spunk reminds me of Jake Cave  with a bit more natural talent.

[Mike Sixel]

1 hour ago, TheLeviathan said:

I don't understand how we're serious contenders AND playing a guy who has never played CF.....in CF.  

He's a LF or he's not on this team in the future, it's that simple from where I sit.

We aren't serious. It's really that simple..

[stringer bell]

I don't want to rule Keaschall out completely in the infield, but I believe his defensive struggles got in his head as a second baseman. If the Twins are in the race for postseason, I don't think he should play second base any more this season.

As for his outfield play, Keaschall looks like he's trying to play a new position and it hasn't been without mistakes, but he doesn't look dreadful to me. Austin Martin had more experience as an outfielder and when he came up, he struggled mightily. Two seasons later, he is the best the Twins have at the corner outfield spots by a lot. If Keaschall can equal Martin's learning curve as an outfielder, he'll be fine in 2027 and perhaps better than that. Incidentally, Keaschall's throwing has not really been a problem contrary to what many had predicted. He's at the 50th percentile according to his Savant page after checking out well below that when he exclusively played second. 

Regarding Larnach, he looked improved early in the season, but probably from the wear and tear of over 100 games, he looks much less athletic in the second half of the season and the defensive metrics bear this out.

[Linus]

I think Keaschall will end up better in the outfield but the offensive bar to clear is higher. Kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place. 

[Mike Sixel]

Luke had a 134 wrc+ last year, and is 105 this year after a horrible start. He has plenty of bat for any position.