How Should the Twins Construct Their Lineup Down the Stretch?

[Sam Caulder]

Image courtesy of Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

At long last, Emmanuel Rodríguez is in the major leagues. After years of waiting to see one of the most talented offensive prospects in the Twins’ system reach Target Field, Rodríguez has arrived, and he's taken up a flexible role in what remains a shifting outfield picture for the team.

With Rodríguez joining Walker Jenkins and Kaelen Culpepper, the Twins suddenly have a pretty clear glimpse at what their offense could look like next season (although Culpepper will spend at least the bulk of the remaining games on the injured list). The challenge is figuring out how to get all of those young players on the field. There’s essentially no way for the Twins to continue rolling out their traditional lineup with Rodríguez in the mix. In broad strokes, Rodríguez has taken over in left field against right-handed starters and in center field against southpaws, but there are plenty of other options the Twins could explore over the remainder of the season.

The focus should be on the future. At this point, there’s no reason Rodríguez, Jenkins, and Luke Keaschall shouldn’t be the everyday outfielders. Keaschall already was one, and this is the perfect opportunity to get Rodríguez and Jenkins as many major-league reps as possible before they’re thrust into much more meaningful roles in 2027 and (hopefully) beyond. The Twins didn't finish the season the way they wanted, but that doesn’t mean the final week-plus has to be meaningless. In fact, these could be some of the most important games of the year.

The future is now, and the top priority has to be getting those young players on the field. Of course, doing that is going to have a ripple effect throughout the rest of the roster. Trevor Larnach and Josh Bell could be the biggest casualties. Bell was already operating primarily as the team’s designated hitter. If he's healthy enough to take them, Larnach could start claiming some of those at-bats. 

The whole point of this exercise should be getting the best young players on the field and figuring out what this roster can look like moving forward. Moving players around simply to squeeze veterans into the lineup would defeat the purpose. Bell is the easiest player to push to the side. He’s a free agent after the season. Unless the Twins intend to bring him back, they need not prioritize his playing time over a player who could still be part of the organization’s long-term plans.

Larnach is a little more interesting. Many expected him to be moved at the trade deadline to clear a path for players like Rodríguez and Jenkins. The Twins even had a deal in place to send him to Houston, before the Astros backed out at the last minute. Now, the writing is on the wall. Larnach probably isn’t part of the Twins’ future. If Jenkins, Rodríguez and Keaschall are all viewed as long-term pieces (and Byron Buxton is presumably going to remain in the outfield mix next season, as well), Larnach is redundant. I’d be pretty surprised if Larnach is still in Minnesota when the 2027 season begins.

That’s also why the Twins’ lineups over these final few games will be so interesting. They have an opportunity to get creative, but they also have a chance to stop worrying so much about squeezing every possible veteran at-bat out of a lineup that isn’t going to the postseason. Instead, they can start figuring out what comes next.

There will be no playoff baseball for the Twins this season, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to be excited about. Rodríguez’s arrival (combined with Jenkins, Keaschall, Culpepper, and the rest of the organization’s young talent) gives fans a reason to look forward to what’s coming. The Twins can afford to prioritize tomorrow over today. The future is now, and while that might mean some veterans see their playing time squeezed, I don’t think anyone in Twins Territory will complain.

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[sweetmusicviola16]

Why we're forcing Keaschall to be an OF is beyond ridiculous. He's at least serviceable at 2B. If he's forced to find another position it should have been 1B.

[Rodney29]

We know what the vets like Bell, Lewis, Trevor, Caratini, etc can (and more importantly, can’t do). Give the “at bats” to the youngsters. 

[Cris E]

I'd especially emphasize the edge guys.  Jenkins and his ilk are always going to get extended looks, but I'd play Ross ahead of Kreidler every chance I get, for example.  In fact from here on out Kreidler and Martin and Ober should only play in the event of a bus accident or mass food poisoning. 

[wesnewy]

8 minutes ago, Cris E said:

I'd especially emphasize the edge guys.  Jenkins and his ilk are always going to get extended looks, but I'd play Ross ahead of Kreidler every chance I get, for example.  In fact from here on out Kreidler and Martin and Ober should only play in the event of a bus accident or mass food poisoning. 

"accident" right? 

[HerbieFan]

If not for Culpepper injury I wanted to see

Keaschall LF...Culpepper SS...Jenkins CF...Lee 3B...Rodriguez RF.  After that I really don't care.  Jeffers deserves to play.  Same for Clemens.

[Rosterman]

What to do with Sabato. A #1 daft pick. Hitting for power the last couple of seasons. Can he play first?

Would he replace Bell as the DH? He can pretty much walk wherever he wants after this season. 

Could he match Lewis and his middling .225 average and 15 homers?

Roster spot could be made via erleasing Gray or sending down Jackson.

[PuckettPond]

If the Twins do not receive a top 5 pick in next year's draft this season will be a failure. Every loss this season gets us a win next draft. "Please look beyond your nose." Pinocchio 

[Twins 72]

I would feel soooo much better and have a much clearer picture if they could find a defensive spot for Luke K. Find it and let him develop. I don't know where that is, but he is a hitter we need in the lineup. 

[TheLeviathan]

All decisions between now and first pitch 2028 are about ushering in the next wave of talent.  It's time to move on from multiple people and invest playing time into assets with long-term upside.

[DocBauer]

This isn't hard.

I have NO IDEA why Keaschall and Martin have been asked to play RF when their skills CLEARLY demand LF should be their PRIMARY spots.

Is that Zole or Shelton? Either is a major mismanagement of the roster. I keep hearing Shelton didn't want to "mess" with Larnach even though he was a better fit in RF. Larnach actually has a decent arm, RF is smaller than LF, and he has experience in RF already.

So our FO and/or manager are VERY short sighted. 

It's OK if Martin and Keaschall can cover RF. But there skills say LF.

So let's us go "crazy" and put Keaschall in LF to end the season.

Let's have Rodriguez and Jenkins alternate CF and RF.

And let us play Ross EVERY SINGLE DAMN DAY SOMEWHERE to see if we have a better option for a Super Utility player who might be better than Kreidler. 

[soyouresayingtheresachance]

I would like to see the young guys play. 

Bring up Sabato to play 1B or get DH ABs. If for no other reason than to acknowledge his efforts and the record setting season he had. 

Unpopular opinion. Wallner also has had a record setting season in St Paul. Maybe give him the last few games at Target Field, too? Not sure he'll be in our system after this seaosn, though. Guess we'll see.