Taking Stock in Center Field

In 2023, the Twins did well to insulate center field with Michael A. Taylor. They knew Byron Buxton wouldn’t be ready to play to begin the season, and as it turned out, he never advanced beyond DH duties. Many hoped they would do the same in 2024 despite some optimism around Buxton’s repaired knee, but the current group may be what they’ll go with. So, what can we expect in center field in 2024?

Byron Buxton
Buxton is a significant question mark, as he's reached 100 games played in center field once in his career (2017) and hasn't reached 80 games played at the position since 2019. He underwent surgery on his ailing knee again this offseason, and the Twins are hopeful that he can return to form in some facet in 2024.

Buxton’s upside remains one of the highest on the entire roster, and if healthy, he’s the undisputed everyday center fielder for as long as he can physically handle it. Still, it’s fair to wonder whether the Twins would be better off getting a locked and loaded starting worthy center fielder should things go south again in 2024. Buxton’s health could have a massive swing on the Twins season.

Willi Castro
Willi Castro is approaching Astudillo-esque folk hero status in Twins territory, deservedly so. He had a career year in which he showed versatility and chaos-inducing baserunning while finishing as an above-average hitter. After being thrust into center field action, he adjusted and made himself a viable option.

Castro is likely the first in line should Buxton miss time again, and the hope is that 2023 was a breakout season and not an outlier. As a switch hitter, Castro can hold his own in center field as a near-everyday option for what should be a potent lineup around him if it comes to that.

Nick Gordon
Nick Gordon continued to mix into center field when a foul ball off his shin knocked him out for the entire second half of the 2023 season. He certainly has the athleticism to hold down the position. However, he’ll likely still have some learning on the fly after advancing through the minor leagues predominantly as a middle infielder.

Gordon struggled mightily before his injury last season, with a .503 OPS in his 93 plate appearances. It’s possible this was just a small sample slump, but what the Twins think of the former top prospect is unclear. Now, out of options, Gordon will have to earn a roster spot out of Spring Training as a 4th or 5th outfielder, and the ability to play center field would help his chances tremendously.

Austin Martin
Austin Martin’s bat showed some life in St. Paul last year, following up an injury-delayed and slow start to his season by slashing .287/.428/.456 the last two months. At this point, he’s likely to wind up either at second base or the outfield, and the Twins and Martin himself seem confident he can play a solid center field.

Martin will debut in 2024; it’s just a matter of when and where. Like Gordon, he’s a former infield prospect who likely needs more experience to hone his outfield skills. If he can play a solid center field, the offensive concerns become less of an issue, but it was encouraging to see him show some pop down the stretch in 2023.

Bubba Thompson
Bubba Thompson was claimed by the Twins this week on waivers. The former first-round pick has bounced around the league but boasts the third-highest sprint speed in baseball. This makes him an obvious candidate to play some center field, though what he can provide beyond that remains to be seen.

Thompson has a career .591 OPS in just under 250 at-bats, and his minor-league track record suggests this may not be a fluke. Regarding the Twins needing a right-handed outfield bat, Thompson has hit southpaws worse in his career so far. It’s possible he doesn’t head north with the team come Opening Day, but it’s easy to see why the Twins took a flier on the speedy former top prospect.

The Twins probably have more options for center field than most teams, but the list is riddled with question marks. From health to performance to inexperience, center field may be one of the more fluid positions on the 2024 roster. The Twins are banking on one of these players putting together a solid season up the middle, and to be fair, there’s a lot of potential for things to turn out exceptionally well.

Still, it’s fair to wonder whether they should have done more to set a floor at the position as we’ve seen them do so much in years past. There are still a few options left should they still decide to do so, but it’s unclear whether this is a priority. 

Can the Twins get an adequate return from their current group of center fielders in 2024? Should they still be looking to add a more established name to this group should things break the wrong way? Let us know below!