Could a Position Swap Solve Two Problems in Twins' Infield?

[Sam Caulder]

Image courtesy of Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images

The 2026 season has been a career year for Kody Clemens. Offensively, he's set career highs across the board, including 26 home runs, seven triples and 76 RBIs. Among players who primarily play second base, only Brandon Lowe has more homers. Perhaps most notably, Clemens has finally established himself as an above-average hitter. His 109 OPS+ is the first time in his career that he's finished a season above league average, and his .753 OPS ranks fifth among second basemen.

That's made him an extremely valuable piece for Derek Shelton to have at his disposal. Defensively, Clemens has spent meaningful time at five different positions this season, and for the most part, he's been a strong defender. There's one pretty significant exception, though. With Luke Keaschall making the transition to the outfield and Royce Lewis moving over to first base, Clemens has been locked in at second for most of the second half. Offensively, his production is more than good enough for the position. Defensively, however, there are some concerns the Twins may need to address this offseason.

On the season Clemens has recorded 0 Outs Above Average and 2 Defensive Runs Saved. Those metrics measure defensive value in different ways, but they ultimately tell a similar story. He's been at least an average defender, and for the most part an above-average defender, everywhere he's played—except for second base. At second, Clemens has recorded -4 OAA and -4 DRS. Some of his struggles there have looked awfully familiar. Much like Keaschall earlier in the season, Clemens has struggled when trying to make plays on balls up the middle. He has impressive sprint speed, but there's a difference between being fast once you're moving and having the first-step burst necessary to consistently get to a ground ball. That appears to be the biggest issue for Clemens at second. So, what can the Twins do to minimize the problem?

One option is to simply flip-flop Clemens and Lewis. Fellow Twins Daily writer Cody Christie recently wrote about where Lewis should play if the Twins keep him around for 2027, and he identified second base as a viable option, based in part on Lewis's defensive ability there. If Lewis profiles better at second base, why not put Clemens at first?

Clemens has graded out as a strong defender at first base over the course of his career, while Lewis has really struggled there this year. In 75 starts at first, Lewis has recorded -3 OAA. To be fair, Lewis just transitioned to the position this season. It's entirely possible that a full offseason of reps at first base could help him become a better defender there. But the Twins don't have to wait and find out. The one position where Lewis has graded out positively defensively this year has been second base (albeit in so small a sample as to be basically meaningless). He doesn't have the same sprint speed as Clemens or Keaschall, but he does have the quick first step that Clemens has lacked at the position. That could make him a better fit for the types of plays that have given Clemens trouble. If Lewis and Clemens switched spots, I think both players could benefit.

It isn't just a defensive argument, either. Their offensive skill sets might actually be better suited to those positions, as well. Lewis' production at the plate simply doesn't line up with what you typically want from a first baseman. That's an offense-first position, and while Lewis certainly has the talent to become a much better hitter than he was in 2026, his current production doesn't provide much margin for error at the position. Clemens, on the other hand, has power that comes much closer to what you want from a first baseman.

There are obviously still plenty of questions the Twins need to answer before making that decision. Lewis would need to prove that his success at second can hold up over a larger sample, while Clemens would need to show that his offensive production can carry over if he's playing first base regularly. But the foundation is there. Clemens has already shown that he can be a productive offensive player. He's also shown that he can be a strong defender at first. Lewis, meanwhile, has at least shown some positive defensive value at second, while struggling at first.

Ultimately, it might be that neither is in the team's plans for long, or that they become platoon partners at one of these spots or the other. If the team signs a slugging first baseman this winter, it would crowd Clemens and Lewis into second together. If they eschew that opportunity but are ready to promote Marek Houston by mid-summer 2027, Lewis and Clemens might be pushed to first, together. Until and in the absence of such moves, though, swapping Clemens back to first base and giving Lewis his first extended run at second makes some sense.

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[glunn]

Good article. Makes sense to me.

[Riverbrian]

Unfortunately Royce Lewis doesn't belong in this conversation. Until he hits the ball... he doesn't belong in this conversation. Kody Clemens has earned playing time. Royce has not. 

I'm not giving up on Royce and honestly I'm not sure why I haven't given up. 

However... Next season... Royce needs to be placed at 1B, 2B, 3B and DH. He should play multiple positions and be made to compete. I won't use the word backup because I don't believe in backups. But it should be clear to Royce that there are players in front of him at each of those positions and he will have to earn his job back.

I'm not sure if everyone is paying attention but at the 1B position across the league. EVERYBODY ELSE HAS ONE. Big slugging 1B. We have Royce who is closing in on 900 PA's in the past two seasons with OPS of .671 and .665. 

The Twins failure to develop a 1B when everybody else can is really getting concerning. This failure is going to reach a decade soon. 

Small sample defensive stats should not get in the way of finding a hitter to play 1B. 

Being that you tend to find bigger bats at the 1B position. Clemens should remain the primary 2B and a full scale search for a 1B (not a one year rental) should occur this off-season.  

[old nurse]

Roster overhaul may be coming. Worry about who goes where in spring training

[Bracky]

I feel like Royce has had enough opportunities. I have a hard time thinking he would excel at 2B. I understand the numbers and such but the eye test for me (very scientific) would still rather have Clemens at 2B. At this point, I believe he has earned his playing time and I think he should be at 2B next year, especially if his offensive play at least matches this season. Up to 27 HRs tonight which is nothing to complain about.

I just don't see a reason to now believe Royce will improve and for me I feel like that ship has sailed.

[Mike Sixel]

On 9/23/2026 at 7:40 AM, Sam Caulder said:

Image courtesy of Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images

The 2026 season has been a career year for Kody Clemens. Offensively, he's set career highs across the board, including 26 home runs, seven triples and 76 RBIs. Among players who primarily play second base, only Brandon Lowe has more homers. Perhaps most notably, Clemens has finally established himself as an above-average hitter. His 109 OPS+ is the first time in his career that he's finished a season above league average, and his .753 OPS ranks fifth among second basemen.

That's made him an extremely valuable piece for Derek Shelton to have at his disposal. Defensively, Clemens has spent meaningful time at five different positions this season, and for the most part, he's been a strong defender. There's one pretty significant exception, though. With Luke Keaschall making the transition to the outfield and Royce Lewis moving over to first base, Clemens has been locked in at second for most of the second half. Offensively, his production is more than good enough for the position. Defensively, however, there are some concerns the Twins may need to address this offseason.

On the season Clemens has recorded 0 Outs Above Average and 2 Defensive Runs Saved. Those metrics measure defensive value in different ways, but they ultimately tell a similar story. He's been at least an average defender, and for the most part an above-average defender, everywhere he's played—except for second base. At second, Clemens has recorded -4 OAA and -4 DRS. Some of his struggles there have looked awfully familiar. Much like Keaschall earlier in the season, Clemens has struggled when trying to make plays on balls up the middle. He has impressive sprint speed, but there's a difference between being fast once you're moving and having the first-step burst necessary to consistently get to a ground ball. That appears to be the biggest issue for Clemens at second. So, what can the Twins do to minimize the problem?

One option is to simply flip-flop Clemens and Lewis. Fellow Twins Daily writer Cody Christie recently wrote about where Lewis should play if the Twins keep him around for 2027, and he identified second base as a viable option, based in part on Lewis's defensive ability there. If Lewis profiles better at second base, why not put Clemens at first?

Clemens has graded out as a strong defender at first base over the course of his career, while Lewis has really struggled there this year. In 75 starts at first, Lewis has recorded -3 OAA. To be fair, Lewis just transitioned to the position this season. It's entirely possible that a full offseason of reps at first base could help him become a better defender there. But the Twins don't have to wait and find out. The one position where Lewis has graded out positively defensively this year has been second base (albeit in so small a sample as to be basically meaningless). He doesn't have the same sprint speed as Clemens or Keaschall, but he does have the quick first step that Clemens has lacked at the position. That could make him a better fit for the types of plays that have given Clemens trouble. If Lewis and Clemens switched spots, I think both players could benefit.

It isn't just a defensive argument, either. Their offensive skill sets might actually be better suited to those positions, as well. Lewis' production at the plate simply doesn't line up with what you typically want from a first baseman. That's an offense-first position, and while Lewis certainly has the talent to become a much better hitter than he was in 2026, his current production doesn't provide much margin for error at the position. Clemens, on the other hand, has power that comes much closer to what you want from a first baseman.

There are obviously still plenty of questions the Twins need to answer before making that decision. Lewis would need to prove that his success at second can hold up over a larger sample, while Clemens would need to show that his offensive production can carry over if he's playing first base regularly. But the foundation is there. Clemens has already shown that he can be a productive offensive player. He's also shown that he can be a strong defender at first. Lewis, meanwhile, has at least shown some positive defensive value at second, while struggling at first.

Ultimately, it might be that neither is in the team's plans for long, or that they become platoon partners at one of these spots or the other. If the team signs a slugging first baseman this winter, it would crowd Clemens and Lewis into second together. If they eschew that opportunity but are ready to promote Marek Houston by mid-summer 2027, Lewis and Clemens might be pushed to first, together. Until and in the absence of such moves, though, swapping Clemens back to first base and giving Lewis his first extended run at second makes some sense.

 

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Literally switching positions for two players does nothing to help the offense. I'm very confused by this need to keep the roster in place that loses more than it wins.