Should the Twins Give Ryan Jeffers a Look at First Base?

After the All-Star break, the Twins appeared set to roll out a rotation of Joey Gallo, Donovan Solano, and Alex Kirilloff at first base, with Kirilloff being the primary starter. 

Initially, the Twins' plan worked flawlessly, highlighted by Kirilloff winning AL Player of the Week for July 17-23, hitting .345/.394/.793 (1.187) with three home runs, two doubles, a triple, and four multi-hit games. Unfortunately, Kirilloff was placed on the 10-day IL with a shoulder issue at the end of July and has been out since.

Twins Current Situation at First Base
With Kirilloff placed on the 10-day IL, the Twins have given substantial playing time to Gallo and Solano.

On the surface, Gallo and Solano's numbers since Kirilloff went on the 10-day IL are shockingly incredible. Let's look at their numbers since July 30.

• Joey Gallo: .240/.406/.600 (1.006), 32 PA, six hits, three home runs, 40.6% Strikeout Percentage (K%), .360 Isolated Power (ISO), 177 wRC+
• Donovan Solano: .500/.538/.542 (1.080), 26 PA, 12 hits, zero home runs, 15.4% K%, .042 ISO, 213 wRC+

Initially, these numbers are incredible. But, if you dig below the surface, there is more than meets the eye. 

If you were to take out Gallo's 4-for-4 performance against the Philadelphia Phillies last weekend, he is hitting .095/.296/.238 (.534) in 27 plate appearances with two hits, zero home runs, a 48.1% K%, .143 ISO, and a wRC+ of just 64. 

Gallo's incredible 4-for-4 game exemplifies how one substantial game can manipulate how great or lackluster a player's numbers can look over a small sample size, but it also changed how those who follow the Twins perceive Gallo, at least in the short term. 

If Gallo hadn't gone 4-for-4 with a walk and instead went 1-or-4 with a single and a walk, those who follow the Twins would be just as eager to move on from Gallo as they were less than a week ago. Gallo has bought himself more time, but his one-off outstanding performance should not be seen as the start of an upward trend for Gallo but as a one-off occurrence that likely will not happen again.

On the other hand, Solano has been a solid player, and the numbers he has put up since Kirilloff was placed on the IL aren't nearly the mirage that Gallo's are. The only problem is that Solano sustained a right knee sprain while facing the Detroit Tigers last week, which looked much more severe during the initial play. 

Solano returned on Sunday, going 3-for-5 against the Philadelphia Phillies. Despite hitting well, Solano looked like he was physically struggling during the game showing signs of pain during his at-bats.

In the game that Solano returned to the Twins lineup, catcher Christian Vázquez played first base. Vázquez starting at first base will not become a normal occurrence, but it illustrates how the Twins are desperately attempting to find competent players to play at first base for the time being.

Another new element in this equation is Jordan Luplow. Despite being labeled as a first baseman, Luplow has only played 113 1/3 major-league innings at first base, with 107 1/3 of those innings coming with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2021. 

Luplow, in theory, could play first base, but the Twins seem inclined to play him in left field against left-handed starting pitching, as evidenced by the fact that he has played 27 innings in left field and just three innings at first base with the Twins. 

Gallo, Solano, Vázquez, and Luplow would work as a rotation at first base, but what if another member of the Twins' 26-man roster could play first base? And what if that player was stuck in a positional timeshare with the aforementioned Vázquez yet deserving more at-bats? 

Why Not Ryan Jeffers?
Jeffers has been incredible since Kirilloff was placed on the 10-day IL and deserves increased playing time, and this is where he could slot in perfectly at first base. Here are Jeffers numbers since July 30:

• .278/.381/.694 (1.075), 42 PA, ten hits, four home runs, 33.3% K%, .417 ISO, 191 wRC+

Jeffers' numbers are impressive and fit the criteria of what an above-average power-hitting first baseman's ideal statistics would look like.

Despite fitting the first base archetype, there is one caveat. Jeffers, 26, has played five professional innings at first base, which came in 2021 with the Triple-A St. Paul Saints. 

Jeffers' lack of playing time at first base is a reason for concern, and despite popular belief, first base isn't an elementary position that anyone can play adequately. There is nuance and complex positioning assignments that can be difficult for players to learn, especially on the fly. 

That being said, first base is one of the lowest positions on the defensive spectrum and, as shown with Vázquez, the Twins appear willing to push their limits at the position. So, why not put a player who has been contributing at a near-elite offensive level for quite some time?

Another element of value that Jeffers possesses is that he is a right-handed hitter. Playing the right-handed hitting Jeffers at first base would give the Twins more flexibility for when they platoon versus left-handed starting pitchers.

For example, the Twins could play Jeffers at first base, Vázquez at catcher, Solano at designated hitter, Luplow at left field, and so on.

The Twins are in a pinch at first base and have been forced to play Gallo nearly every game, even when facing left-handed pitching. With Solano still hurt and Kirilloff likely not returning until at least late September, the Twins may be forced to take an unconventional approach to the position for the season's final months. 

Instead of continuing to give significant at-bats to a struggling Gallo and an injured Solano or being forced to play Vázquez at a position where his defensive value is essentially snuffed, the Twins could get the best of both worlds by playing the offensively surging and wide-framed Jeffers.

Do you think the Twins should give Ryan Jeffers a look at first base? Comment below.