First SDI Rankings Highlight Minnesota's Defensive Strengths and Weaknesses

Defense can be one of the most difficult aspects of baseball to evaluate. While fans can easily identify a diving catch or a costly error, modern metrics attempt to capture the countless subtle plays that impact run prevention over the course of a season.

The first installment of the 2026 SABR Defensive Index (SDI) rankings has been released, providing an early look at how Minnesota Twins players stack up defensively against the rest of the American League. The SDI serves as a key component in determining Rawlings Gold Glove Award winners and combines multiple defensive metrics, including Statcast data and traditional play-by-play analysis.

While it's still early in the season, the rankings reveal several surprises for Minnesota—both positive and negative. All rankings were through games played on June 7, 2026.

Bradley Leads the Pitching Staff

Grading pitching defense is still challenging, and this year's rankings largely reflect that reality. Among Minnesota pitchers, Taj Bradley leads the way with a 0.6 SDI, ranking 16th among American League pitchers. Bailey Ober sits at an even 0.0, while Connor Prielipp checks in at -0.5.

Joe Ryan's ranking stands out the most. His -0.7 SDI places him near the bottom of qualified AL pitchers, with only nine qualified hurlers posting a lower mark. For the entire 2025 season, he had a -1.9 SDI. While pitcher defense generally carries less value than other positions, it remains an area where Ryan has struggled throughout his career.

Jeffers Showing Improvement Behind the Plate

One of the more encouraging developments comes at catcher. Ryan Jeffers currently owns a 0.0 SDI, ranking eighth among American League catchers. That might not sound impressive on the surface, but it's a significant improvement from last season when he posted a -6.2 SDI. In 2025, only Logan O'Hoppe graded worse among qualified AL catchers.

Victor Caratini sits slightly below average at -0.4 SDI, but he has seen more regular action since Jeffers went on the IL and his numbers have improved. Jeffers' improvement represents a notable step forward for a player whose offensive production has often overshadowed concerns about his defense.

Can Clemens Continue Minnesota's Gold Glove Tradition?

For years, the Twins have received strong defensive production at first base. Carlos Santana and Ty France each earned Gold Glove recognition during their time in Minnesota, and Kody Clemens appears determined to keep the Twins in the Gold Glove conversation.

Clemens owns a 1.8 SDI, ranking sixth among American League first basemen. However, he is only 0.6 out of ranking among the top three. His defensive performance has quietly become one of the team's strengths. With Royce Lewis beginning to see more action at first base, it will be interesting to see whether he can develop into a capable defender there as the season progresses.

Middle Infield Remains a Concern

If there is one area where these rankings raise red flags, it's the middle infield. Luke Keaschall's -5.0 SDI ranks last among qualified AL second basemen. The sophomore’s bat has helped him remain in the lineup, but manager Derek Shelton has already acknowledged the defensive challenges. Shelton has reportedly discussed late-game defensive substitutions with Keaschall, recognizing that run prevention can become critical in close contests.

Things look even rougher at shortstop. Brooks Lee's -5.9 SDI ranks last among qualified American League shortstops. While defensive metrics can fluctuate throughout a season, the struggles help explain why Minnesota has increasingly shifted Lee to third base. His offensive versatility remains valuable, but the organization appears to be searching for a more sustainable long-term defensive alignment.

Interestingly, no Twins third baseman had accumulated enough innings to qualify for the rankings. Lewis had been demoted and moved off the hot corner. Lee will start showing up on the SDI ranking later this season. 

Mixed Results in the Outfield

Minnesota's outfield rankings offer a blend of surprises. Trevor Larnach owns a -0.4 SDI in left field, with only three qualified AL left fielders ranking lower. While Larnach's offensive contributions remain valuable, defense continues to be an area where he grades below average.

In center field, Byron Buxton sits at -0.1 SDI, tied for eighth among American League center fielders. While those numbers don't jump off the page, they represent improvement from last season's -4.6 SDI. Some of Buxton's decline in defensive metrics can be attributed to diminished arm strength. Opposing runners have been more willing to take extra bases against him than they were during his Gold Glove peak years, impacting his overall value despite still covering plenty of ground.

The biggest surprise may come in right field. Austin Martin's 2.9 SDI ranks third among AL right fielders, trailing only Wilyer Abreu and Cam Smith. Martin's athleticism has long been evident, but his defensive impact has become one of the more underrated aspects of his game. While much of the focus remains on whether he'll hit enough to secure a long-term role, his glove is making a compelling case.

A Snapshot, Not a Final Verdict

As always, defensive metrics should be viewed as one piece of a much larger puzzle. Small samples, positioning, team strategies, and statistical variance can all influence these rankings.

Still, the first SDI update highlights several clear trends. Minnesota continues to receive strong defense at first base, Martin is emerging as a legitimate defensive asset, and Jeffers appears to be making strides behind the plate. On the other hand, the middle infield remains a concern, with both Keaschall and Lee ranking at the bottom of their respective positions.

With the Twins fighting to remain in the American League playoff race, every run saved could prove just as important as every run scored.

What surprises you most about these rankings? Are you buying Martin as one of the AL's best defensive right fielders, and how concerned are you about the defensive struggles of Keaschall and Lee? Leave a comment and start the discussion.