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Trevor Larnach and Matt Wallner are currently likely to fill both corner outfield spots in the Twins' Opening Day lineup for 2025. Each has had their share of highs in a Twins uniform, and (alas) miserable lows to match. Could the Twins decide this winter that they would be better off not trusting both of them?
Larnach and Wallner each saw their values completely bottom out at one point in 2024. Larnach seemed like a sure thing to be shipped out before the season, and Wallner quickly lost his starting job and was demoted to St. Paul after looking thoroughly lost at the MLB level throughout spring training and over the first fortnight of the regular campaign. For a Twins roster that finished the season at the lowest of lows, however, these two put up tremendous seasons and have given the Twins every reason to trust them in 2025. Whereas they appeared to be part of the problem early on, they were the only things about the team that worked down the stretch.
Larnach’s rebound had much to do with completely retooling his plate approach. After three seasons and nearly 700 plate appearances with a strikeout rate over 30%, he lowered this mark to 22.3% in 2024—while posting a career high in homers and slugging average. He didn’t completely put his injury problems behind him, but he was able to play through much of the season with turf toe, which leaves one wondering if Larnach has yet another level he could attain.
Wallner was one of the saviors of the Twins in 2023. but was demoted after striking out 17 times in 33 at-bats in April. He returned in July and slashed .282/.386/.559 with 12 homers the rest of the way. He was one of the few offensive players pulling their weight during the team’s historic collapse. Importantly, though, he did so with a strikeout rate well above 30%.
Both players have established themselves as high-upside offensive players who are limited defensively and still possess plenty of red flags when evaluating their futures. For a team likely trading away starting players from other parts of the roster, Larnach or Wallner could each be dangled on the trade market as part of what could be a sizeable shakeup.
A team like the Twins, who value defensive chops, may be nervous about running out this pair, given the defensive falloff they would see with Max Kepler’s departure. One could argue that each of these sluggers putting up slightly better than average offense would bridge the gap, but if the Twins don’t feel confident in their ability to do so, it may make a decision that much easier.
Of course, the Twins could choose to keep their homegrown players, both of whom were bright spots during a miserable 2024. Each has had their fair share of adversity, and has bounced back significantly. There are also arguments for even more upside for both. Larnach could further tap into his raw power, making him a monster at the plate if he can hold his strikeout gains. Wallner performed at an elite level, even with one of the worst strikeout rates among regulars last season.
Trevor Larnach and Matt Wallner are both high-variance, left-handed corner outfielders who have made strides in the last year, though their futures are not without questions. Should the Twins cash in on one of them coming off a season in which their value may be at an all-time high? Should they let it ride and hope they can become core players in the heart of the lineup for years to come? Let us know below!
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