Minnesota Twins 2025 Position Analysis: Second Base

I would probably start Willi Castro at 2B. Brooks Lee certainly hasn't earned playing time ahead of Castro. Castro and Lee will both be moved around as needed to fill in for injured players.

I think Keaschall could be a good fit long-term as the RH hitting OF they believe is a necessity.

Eeles doesn't get a mention. If they don't like him, they should trade him. No sense letting him rot in AAA for the rest of his career simply because he doesn't need to be added to the roster for years.

If what Nick says is accurate, and there is no reason for me to doubt him, Lee is the best defensive player we have in the infield as a whole, not including CC of course.  He will sub out CC and Lewis, and need days off himself the article says.  Then why not let Willi begin the season at 2nd, filling in in the outfield when needed as well, and give Julien and Lee time to get their feet under them again and see if one of them grabs the job and runs with it.  Willi can handle the moving around the whole field and Lee can handle moving around just the infield.  That is, of course, Lee makes the roster at all.  If not.........I'll get back to you.  😉

Realistically, Luke Keaschall is going to need some further game time in the minor leagues. Ideally, the Twins put him in the lineup right away and he rakes, winning ROY. The hope for Keaschall is magnified because of the factors noted by Nick Nelson in the article. The other choices have flailed away and need a couple of big weeks in ST to show worth, but even then the regular season will still be a challenge. We can only hope one of Lee or Julien steps up. One concerning issue for me is that Lee seems hesitant when he swings. Is this a lack of confidence or just a slow bat? Any time Julien's bat reverts to a steep angle he is toast. There is a genuine reason for people to be concerned at this point. I sure hope one of the two can emerge and hold down the position in a productive manner.

I think it will be Castro most days with Lee as a backup to 2nd SS and 3rd. He needs to play everyday though at this point. I think by the end of the year we see Keaschal. Long term, our best defensive alignment is probably 

1b - Lewis

2b - Keaschal 

SS - Correa

3b - Lee

Utility - Eeles, Castro. I think that's a pretty good looking infield.

For me, the best case scenario is a real competition between Julien and Lee and one of them goes out and wins it, rather than the other getting the job by default because one of them was still flailing badly at the plate. Either one has the ability to be a fine 2B for us: Julien has a higher ceiling as a hitter, while Lee is a much more advanced defender. I like Julien's ability to get on base, and he should be allowed to run more if he gets on. Lee's contact skills are excellent and presents a higher floor. I'm perfectly fine with either of them going out and winning the job.

I vastly prefer to have Castro as a bench player. he'll still get plenty of ABs, but he's overstretched as an every day player and his flexibility makes a real impact later in games. When you can pinch hit Castro in the 7th for so many positions and then not need to make another change to your defense, it's a big deal. His speed and baserunning can also be deployed more situationally when he's not having to start. He also gives you great coverage for when someone does pick up a knock and needs a day or three off.

feels like martin's days on the dirt are running out. He's ok at 2B, but is more of an emergency option now IMHO. Besides, if he doesn't improve as a hitter (and show he can handle the OF he's not on the roster anyways)

Keaschall is coming on strong, but let's see how he responds to the injury. He did a great job last season moving up levels and playing through the bum elbow for as long as he did, and position players usually respond faster and more consistently to that surgery it seems...but it's still a big one. We have enough depth to afford to give him time.

A little surprised to not see Eeles listed as a prospect? But he's very hard to judge right now. remarkable 2024, and smashed every challenge he faced. he's an awesome story. But it's also one season and a relatively small sample against advanced competition. but if he hits like he did last season in AAA, at some point you have to start taking him seriously, even if he's already 25. Happy to have him in AAA right now.

55 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

I would probably start Willi Castro at 2B. Brooks Lee certainly hasn't earned playing time ahead of Castro. Castro and Lee will both be moved around as needed to fill in for injured players.

I think Keaschall could be a good fit long-term as the RH hitting OF they believe is a necessity.

Eeles doesn't get a mention. If they don't like him, they should trade him. No sense letting him rot in AAA for the rest of his career simply because he doesn't need to be added to the roster for years.

I really want to see what influence Eeles can have on the other guys with the "Charley Hustle" effort and attitude. I'm not wholly convinced that Baldelli can keep guys motivated.

Let's be honest here the infield is a mess. You have no clue who will be playing 1st 2nd or 3rd. Everyone knows C4 has SS covered if healthy. The FO has allowed the infield to become a real problem as they did with LF. They have numerous players who have defensive issues at what ever position they play or weak offensively.

20 minutes ago, LambchoP said:

Utility - Eeles, Castro. I think that's a pretty good looking infield.

Eeles doesn't have much utility. Similar to Austin Martin, he can play 2B and LF.

3 minutes ago, David Maro said:

Let's be honest here the infield is a mess. You have no clue who will be playing 1st 2nd or 3rd. Everyone knows C4 has SS covered if healthy. The FO has allowed the infield to become a real problem as they did with LF. They have numerous players who have defensive issues at what ever position they play or weak offensively.

Last year, outside of Farmer, Martin was the only glove that was decent at 2nd base; this year if they do not play Martin there, maybe Lee, but he was Good at 3rd.

Julien should not even be on the 40 man; Eeles it will be interesting if he gets a chance.

Infield as of now is a clouded question.

Frankly, I'm very concerned defensively on the right side. Baldelli is determined to have France at 1B, normally I'm not concerned at 1B defensively if he can provide average-ish defense & you have a decent 2Bman with plenty of range. But France is an established hack at 1B & Baldelli is determined to play Julien at 2B. When I watched, too many GB got through the right side of the INF while Julien was playing there even with Santana & Correa playing beside him. With France it'll be a nightmare.

Julien & Lee both had very good OBP at the MiLB level, which is a very good quality for a leadoff hitter. But last season they had trouble hitting & neither have shown to be a terror on the bases, which is another valuable leadoff trait. Unlike Julien, Lee has a solid glove, yet besides not hitting I'm concerned about his chronic back problem. I would not depend too much on him to anchor any position & would limit the amount of games played. 

Julien is stretched at 2B, both Julien & Lee should be sent down to AAA to work on their hitting & Julien, his learning 1B. Martin has been moved all around the field & stretched at SS & CF. Now they want to groom him in CF. IMO this is super redundant. They have (RH) Buxton & Bader, (LH) Keirsey (MLB) Emma (AAA) on the 40 man with (BH) Cerda (MLB) on a MiLB contract all accomplished CFers plus others. Martin isn't needed in CF. Martin is better served at 2B, his natural position. Settled at 2B, he can focus on his hitting & getting on base. Martin is also a better candidate for the leadoff hitter position. In MiLB he also had a very good OBP & he was a terror on the base path. IMO Martin is our solution at 2B & as the leadoff hitter.

Sure we can hope that Julien rediscovers how to hit. But what is ignored in the article is that he has always been an awful 2B. This is actually a guy without a position. 

41 minutes ago, RpR said:

Last year, outside of Farmer, Martin was the only glove that was decent at 2nd base; this year if they do not play Martin there, maybe Lee, but he was Good at 3rd.

Julien should not even be on the 40 man; Eeles it will be interesting if he gets a chance.

Infield as of now is a clouded question.

 

Correa is not a question mark. Except, can he play 145 games? Lee I believe will be a very good 3B. Except, his bat doesn't profile at third. If his bat would play as solid I'd most like Lee at 3B and I don't really care if he isn't a 30 plus HR hitter.  I for one am willing to use Martin at 2B. But in ST he is only being used in the OF. This is a mistake imo. Lee 3B, Correa SS, Martin 2B. Where does that leave Lewis then? 

Surprised there is no mention at all of Peyton Eeles.  With Eeles already set to open the season at St. Paul, he's far more likely to get a shot than DeBarge and Schobel and I'm not sure how much 2B Martin will be playing as opposed to OF.  So the omission of Eeles is glaring to me.

It's Lee's job to lose.  He's the better glove and and a switch hitter with good minor league splits from either side.  Last year, outside of his first 9 or 10 games Lee really fell short of expectations.

To me, Julien's 2nd half of 2023 and his entire 2024 have put him in a deep hole.  He was so bad last season that despite hitting .300 early in spring training so far, in my opinion, he's got to go to St. Paul and just clobber AAA pitching for April, May and June at a minimum.  With all the options at 2B the Twins have, if Julien is even just so-so I would look to package him in a trade.  He's getting passed by too many guys on the depth chart to continue with him.

The primary competition I see for Lee is Keaschall and Eeles.  Playing Castro at 2B extensively limits his overall value.  Keaschall and Eeles will both be in St. Paul to begin the season and if one or both continue to build on what they did last year, THEY will be the guys pushing Brooks Lee.   

The Twins simply don't place a real value on defense. In a spirit of being hopeful Twins fans (me) will pray that our catchers, first basemen, second basemen, third basemen, left fielders, and right fielders are ok and don't cost the team too many games. While Byron Buxton is no longer a superior centerfielder, he is still good and Carlos Correa still plays a very steady shortstop. This is the current reality.

The position players will need to hit enough above an average rate to cover for the glove deficiencies, This is the plan as far as I can determine that there is one.

Looking through the options at 2B we have different choices. Austin Martin might be an option but the Twins are working him solely in the outfield. Willi Castro is a favorite of some but he seems best suited as a true utility player. Castro has been ok as a leadoff hitter and decent when the count favors him. Mostly he has hustled his way into value but his consideration as a starting second baseman relies strictly on the other choices being failures. Julien was a mess last year post April and his herky jerky awkwardness creates visual alarm amongst viewers to the point that his actual performance is panned unfairly. Julien needs 2023 results or he is likely gone sometime this season. Brooks Lee has been bathed in a favorable light but his bat and body look slower than two years ago. Back problems? Eeles is in minor league camp with zero attention or mention of him from media. He would need to light up St. Paul for two months and have everyone else fail before someone in the organization notices him. Luke Keaschall then becomes the dream savior. Yah, second base may be a concern.

30 minutes ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

Sure we can hope that Julien rediscovers how to hit. But what is ignored in the article is that he has always been an awful 2B. This is actually a guy without a position. 

I'm waiting for the Twins to find a Lou Whitaker or Frank White or even a Chuck Knoblauch. Until then the Twins will need to play the guy who offers the most value overall to winning games.

Julien is certainly an odd looking player but I will simple offer several plays observed just recently. On ground balls nearly identical where the second baseman had to go to his left, I watched all of Lee, Castro, and Gasper just miss several balls while i saw a minor league player get to the ball but take too long getting the ball out of the glove to nab the runner at first. In two similar plays, looking as awkward as usual Julien gloved those balls and converted the outs. The choices are not tenderloin at this point but ground beef. I'm still hoping Brooks Lee suddenly becomes what we all hoped he could be, a good glove with a steady consistent bat. There are still 3 weeks of Spring Training left for one of these guys to step forward but people should keep their eyes and minds open for the best available option.

1 hour ago, tony&rodney said:

I'm waiting for the Twins to find a Lou Whitaker or Frank White or even a Chuck Knoblauch. Until then the Twins will need to play the guy who offers the most value overall to winning games.

Julien is certainly an odd looking player but I will simple offer several plays observed just recently. On ground balls nearly identical where the second baseman had to go to his left, I watched all of Lee, Castro, and Gasper just miss several balls while i saw a minor league player get to the ball but take too long getting the ball out of the glove to nab the runner at first. In two similar plays, looking as awkward as usual Julien gloved those balls and converted the outs. The choices are not tenderloin at this point but ground beef. I'm still hoping Brooks Lee suddenly becomes what we all hoped he could be, a good glove with a steady consistent bat. There are still 3 weeks of Spring Training left for one of these guys to step forward but people should keep their eyes and minds open for the best available option.

I for one don't mind ground beef. Love it, as long as it is 90% lean. 

11 minutes ago, Nick Nelson said:

Lots of comments about Eeles. I thought about invoking him in this discussion but honestly I'm not sure what to make of him and how the team perceives him. Seems very odd to me he didn't get a camp invite as a 25-year-old coming off a really good season at Triple-A.

Maybe your intrepid reporter John Bonnes could, you know, ask someone about Eeles 😂

3 hours ago, TopGunn#22 said:

To me, Julien's 2nd half of 2023 and his entire 2024 have put him in a deep hole.  He was so bad last season that despite hitting .300 early in spring training so far, in my opinion, he's got to go to St. Paul and just clobber AAA pitching for April, May and June at a minimum.  With all the options at 2B the Twins have, if Julien is even just so-so I would look to package him in a trade.  He's getting passed by too many guys on the depth chart to continue with him.

Julien was excellent in the 2nd half of 2023. OPS of .829 and showed marked improvement defensively.

i won't deny that he had an awful 2024, but it's not like Ed Julien's 2023 was based on just a fast start that vanished (a la Gallo). Julien was legitimately good in 2023 and deserved his finish in the AL RoY rankings. If he's figured out his problems and made real adjustments, and shows he's ready again there's no reason he can't be the Twins starting 2B. How much is he going to gain in AAA? even in a rotten season of 2024 he had an OPS of .803 in AAA. (which isn't exactly amazing, but for a guy trying to get his head on straight after flailing dreadfully in MLB?)

I'm really surprised how many people have quit on Julien after 1 bad season.

10 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

 If he's figured out his problems and made real adjustments, and shows he's ready again there's no reason he can't be the Twins starting 2B

Lead glove is still there, probably, forever.

34 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

Julien was excellent in the 2nd half of 2023. OPS of .829 and showed marked improvement defensively.

i won't deny that he had an awful 2024, but it's not like Ed Julien's 2023 was based on just a fast start that vanished (a la Gallo). Julien was legitimately good in 2023 and deserved his finish in the AL RoY rankings. If he's figured out his problems and made real adjustments, and shows he's ready again there's no reason he can't be the Twins starting 2B. How much is he going to gain in AAA? even in a rotten season of 2024 he had an OPS of .803 in AAA. (which isn't exactly amazing, but for a guy trying to get his head on straight after flailing dreadfully in MLB?)

I'm really surprised how many people have quit on Julien after 1 bad season.

2023 babip = 373

I have not quit on him but he certainly has to prove himself before he gets the job.

29 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

I'm really surprised how many people have quit on Julien after 1 bad season.

Perception has become reality for some when it comes to Julien. Seeing the worst of Julien, particularly the called third strikes last year,  has made a few totally irrational about anything he does. Julien and Correa were the two best bats for the Twins versus Houston in 2023. Nobody can dispute that Julien fell apart after April last year, but the nonsense of some folks about releasing him/ doesn't belong on the 40 person roster destroys all credibility of those who post such comments. Julien was exposed by MLB pitchers, the Twins were pretty quick to demote him, and Edouard simply did not make the adjustment needed to reclaim a position. The situation as of today requires Julien to show he deserves a position on the 2025 team. 

Is it too late to sign some washed up vet to a minimum deal to take the reps in the field and at the plate from our prospects? Clearly none of the usual suspects are worth investing in and/or seeing if they are actually suitable for the job. That seems to be the modus operandi around here.

Btw, as an aside, how’s that Wallner leading off experiment going?  lol.  I’d bet Wallner’s mentality has always been about driving in runs and/or hitting a long ball.  Now he’s being pressured into thinking like an on-base guy.  Messing with his head.  Rocco will ruin him yet.  

16 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Btw, as an aside, how’s that Wallner leading off experiment going?  lol.  I’d bet Wallner’s mentality has always been about driving in runs and/or hitting a long ball.  Now he’s being pressured into thinking like an on-base guy.  Messing with his head.  Rocco will ruin him yet.  

It is just an exhibition games but Wallner has looked totally out of sync, especially today against Atlanta.