The Top 5 Hitters the Twins Can't Get Out

For a player to make this list they have to have at least 150 plate appearances against the Twins since the year 2000. Let’s get into it with someone who the Twins released a while ago. Pretty good move on their part I would say.

5. David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox (2003-2016)

• Stats: 75 G, 321 PA, 21 HR, 58 RBI, .332, .408, .636 (1.044), 173 wRC+
  

David Ortiz really went out and had a revenge career after the Twins released him. You can argue that he could’ve done this against anyone, but Ortiz had his best AVG, OBP, and SLG against the Twins compared to any other American League team. If he played 162 games against the Twins he would’ve been on pace for only 45 home runs and 125 RBIs. That’s pretty good.

4. Jim Thome, Indians, Phillies, White Sox, Dodgers, and Orioles (1991-2012)

• Stats: 89 G, 367 PA, 31 HR, 85 RBI, .297, .417, .657 (.1074), 174 wRC+
  

I’m already starting to see a trend that will continue as we keep going. Both Thome and Ortiz have connections with the Twins, so that’s a bit odd. My theory is the Twins brought Thome in to play simply because they were tired of him destroying them every time they faced each other. If you can’t beat him, sign him. He would be on pace to hit 56 homers and 155 RBIs every season if he only played the Twins.

3. Mark Teixeira, Rangers, Yankees (2003-2016)

• Stats: 77 G, 333 PA, 21 HR, 61 RBI, .362, .420, .641 (1.062), 177 wRC+
  

We had to have someone from the Yankees teams that destroyed the Twins every time out, right? Mark Teixera gets that honor for the Yankees and he certainly earned it. He ranked last out of everyone on this list on hard hit%, he just happened to get lucky a lot when playing the Twins because of course. If you could rank your least favorite Yankees from the 200’s would Teixera be in the top three?

2. Jose Bautista, Orioles, Pirates, Blue Jays (2004-2018)

• Stats: 62 G, 263 PA, 24 HR, 45 RBI, .310, .393, .699, (1.092), 193 wRC+
  

Bautista is the one on this list that stands out the most for not being someone a lot of people would guess. Thome and Ortiz have Twins connections and are remembered by Twins fans for being nightmares every time and Teixera played for the Yankees. Bautista just played out in Toronto and killed the Twins more than any other team for some reason. He had his best SLG% and OPS against the Twins. That whole Blue Jays team gave the Twins a hard time during the past decade.

1. Josh Donaldson, Athletics, Blue Jays, Indians, Braves (2010-2019)

• Stats: 43 G, 191 PA, 19 HR, 46 RBI, .395, .487, .852 (1.339)
  

This one is definitely my favorite because it supports my Jim Thome theory. If there is a player available that just destroys your team then just go sign him. If you can’t beat him, sign him. I mean his SLG% would literally be a good OPS in any MLB lineup. He is the third player on this list that will have played for the Twins when his career ends. Despite never being in the Twins division except for half a season with Cleveland, he still has more home runs against the Twins than any other team. Of course his AVG, OBP, and SLG are also clearly the best against the Twins.

What did you think of this list? Did it bring back bad memories? I hope I didn’t hurt you too much, but this was a fun experiment to see which players just loved playing against the Twins. Comment your thoughts below!

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