Burning Questions For 2025 Twins Spring Training: Second Base

Probably the one position invoking the most discussion this offseason (followed closely by 1B).  So many options for the Twins to try, some hoping to maintain (Castro), some hoping to regain (Julien). some hoping for a chance (Gasper) some hoping to grow into the position (Lee, Martin).

Unless somebody really hits well and grabs the position, expect another revolving door all year long.

I cannot remember a time there has been more uncertainty about 2B for a Twins team in their history.  While I was born in 1958, I became a Twins fan and starting collecting baseball cards when I was 6 years old  (1964).  That's probably why Tony Oliva is my favorite all time Twin.

So as a fan, I started with the relatively unremarkable Bernie Allen with a little Frank Quilici thrown in. (and a little Jerry Kindall)   Not long after that, the Rod Carew years started (1967) which later gave way to the Bobby Randall years as Carew slid over to 1B.  

Through the years, the options haven't always been good, but there wasn't a great deal of intrigue about who would open the season.  

To put Castro there the majority of the time negates his biggest value...his day to day versatility.  I once thought Castro could be the next Cesar Tovar.  A guy who just earns his way from master utility guy to a full time position, in Tovar's case, first LF and then CF for 1969, 1970 and 1971.  Unfortunately, I don't see Castro as having that ability.  And I don't want to see him playing the majority of games at 2B.

To me, it has to be Brooks Lee's job to win or lose, and you have to give Lee spring training and April & May (possibly even June) to win it outright or lose it.  Julien was SO BAD last year that he's got to set AAA with St. Paul on fire before he even gets a thought.  He will always be below average defensively (we as Twins fans have seen enough) so his only chance to stick is to hit, and to hit with a vengeance.  

I can't see Austin Martin getting 105 plate appearances with the Twins in 2025 much less 105 as a 2B.  

So that leaves the 2 Wild Cards that got mentioned but received 0 AB's from Baseball Prospectus "PECOTA" projections:  Luke Keaschall and Peyton Eeles.  The Twins will have Keaschall, Eeles and Julien all at St. Paul with the Saints.  Eeles can play all over but his best position at the MLB level will be 2B.  Keaschall may DH quite a bit and spend more time at 1B while he strengthens his arm post Tommy John surgery.  But he will get AB's while playing 2B.  Keaschall could also see some time in LF and CF with the Saints.  By the end of May things will start clarifying themselves with how Lee is doing at the MLB level and how Keaschall, Eeles and Julien are performing at St. Paul.  

It's possible, but not probable that everyone just under performs, but I think there will be a couple players who separate themselves from the pack.  Who those will be is anyone's guess.  But I think the BEST outcome would be for Lee to emerge and for Keaschall to keep raking.  

Listen to Baldelli. smh. The merry go round goes round and round.

It brings to mind the old adage when everyone is in charge of something no one is.  If everyone (almost) is a possibility at 2nd, is any ONE a true 2nd baseman? 

Right now the entire right side of the infield is such a crap shoot; how did we get into this mess?  😬 

Lewis would be my 2B moving forward. Lee would be my 3B. Miranda at first. Correa SS. Castro for 2025 would continue to move around and give people a day off. The odd man out would be Martin. Yes he could back up Lewis. But that doesn't give him full-time play which I think he needs. He could also backup Larnach in LF. As I stated in another story, I believe Martin can play this game. But for him to reach his full potential that might happen best on another team. But Lewis would be my full-time 2B.

Bader in the OF should mean less Castro in the OF. I would plan on Castro playing more games at 2B than any other position.

Well the hype train has slowed down on Lee in the last 12 months.   Given that everyone is healthy. Castro and Lee split time at 2nd and Miranda is moonlighting with France at 1B.  Also given that most of our infielders can play 2-3 positions so there is already too much redundancy built into Rocco’s matchup turnstile. 
LK is going to beat out Julien/Eeles for 1st call up if/when someone goes on the IL. 

19 hours ago, TopGunn#22 said:

I cannot remember a time there has been more uncertainty about 2B for a Twins team in their history.  While I was born in 1958, I became a Twins fan and starting collecting baseball cards when I was 6 years old  (1964).  That's probably why Tony Oliva is my favorite all time Twin.

The uncertainty factor, the year of birth, collecting baseball cards, the Tony Oliva fan ... that's me too!

6 hours ago, DocBauer said:

Castro at 2B limits his value...and I'm a fan...and removes a portion of his value to the team.

Definitely agree with that summation. I wouldn't mind if Lee got the first shot at the position, but I'm not 100% behind him either. 

19 hours ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

Lewis would be my 2B moving forward. Lee would be my 3B. Miranda at first. Correa SS. Castro for 2025 would continue to move around and give people a day off. The odd man out would be Martin.

Just the idea of all these players moving around the infield willy-nilly is making me dizzy. It may end up being akin to a game of musical chairs. 

What should be done & what will happen are 2 different things pertaining to the Twins. 1st Lee is a solid glove but should be sent down to work on his hitting (but should be the 1st INF injury call up). Julien is a liability at 2B & should be sent down to AAA to work out his hitting & finally his position at 1B. Castro's greatest value is that he's established as a super utility player. He was an all-star the 1st half, but by far surpassed his previous top PAs from 450 in '21 to 635 in '24 that's over almost 200 PAs & 226 PA more than last year & he had to play far too often at demanding CF & SS. People who look only at stats miss the boat because Castro was clearly overextended, that affected all his stats OFF & DEF. With the addition of Bader & Keirsey on the 40-man that will greatly ease up the pressure on Willi to play CF & OF in general. Hopefully Correa & Lee's health will vastly improve, where he's less needed there. With less time at CF & SS, that'd greatly improve his stats as a super utility.

With the total failure of CF Margot last season, Martin was our best CF sub via necessity, Martin has never been settled or groomed at CF. To repeat with (RH) Buxton & Bader in CF & (LH) Keirsey available to sub Buxton against LHPs with Emma, Keschal & Jenkins at the door. To now, start to groom Martin at CF IMO is very redundant & setting up Martin to fail. Because if he gets on the active roster he'll never play. To repeat again MLB CF is a super difficult position for anybody, much less a rookie that has not been groomed, is asking way too much. Being the best in what we had on hand at CF, that was enough to keep us afloat for most of the season. 

The Twins need to reward Martin for his courageous efforts last season by settling him at 2B & give him a chance to be productive. Twins need desperately his potential as a lead-off hitter, he more than merits this opportunity. Like I said earlier, what should be done & what will happen are two different things.  But this should have been done in the beginning of spring training, which tells me this won't happen. to the Twins loss. The Twins will give Julien every opportunity to fail at 2B but fail to give Martin one opportunity to thrive there. I know I'll get a lot of thumbs down from Martin haters because of everything he went through last season his OPS wasn't to their liking. But I'll still defend Martin, not because I think he'll become a super star but because he can be an asset to the Twins & deserves the chance.

1 hour ago, Doctor Wu said:

Definitely agree with that summation. I wouldn't mind if Lee got the first shot at the position, but I'm not 100% behind him either. 

Castro is needed n the lineup more than Lee. For now, Castro’s total value is higher than Lee so he will be in the game at 2B until he is more important somewhere else. 
Lee will get his shot and hopefully Eeles gets a call up at some point to see if he is a legit option.

Looking at some candidates:

I'd not be comfortable having someone with knee injury history (Lewis) trying to turn double plays at 2B.

I agree with the several posts who'd like for Castro to remain as the versatile supersub, primarily in the infield.

Julien has shown hitting skills in the minors and at the major league level before nosediving. His defense had improved a bit too before his hitting plunged. This is a critical period for him.

Lee and Martin both have pedigree as high 1st round picks with supposedly elite hit tool. Unfortunately, the hit tools haven't quite emerged yet. In my opinion, they should be honed by playing everyday in the minors, rather than fossilizing on a MLB bench. But I wouldn't be surprised if one makes the Twins roster. Given their draft position, they'll both be given every chance available to make it, a la Kirilloff, Larnach, etc.

The wild cards - Eeles and Keashall. I like them both. There are some exciting aspects to their games, and they're hungry. Eeles has a sneaky good bat, reminds me a little of Pedroia. I look for one of them to have an impact on the club by August, and I wouldn't be surprised if one of them is in contention to be the starting 2B in 2026. No one else seems to be grabbing it.

My gut (which is substantial) tells me that whoever emerges as a primary 2B this spring will be a placeholder for someone else in 2026, unless Lee or Julien show some drastic improvement.