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    Will the Twins Ever Invest in Size at First Base?

    Peter Labuza

    By Peter Labuza

    The team hasn’t necessarily struggled at the slug-first position, but they are once again disregarding size. 

    Image courtesy of © Chris Tilley-Imagn Images

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    Ever since Luis Arráez made the switch to first base, the Twins have embraced their short kings. A team that once played the towering Miguel Sanó has seemingly taken a different approach quite different from much of the league, where first basemen like Freddie Freeman and Matt Olson (both 6’5”) are often front and center. 

    Due to a myriad of factors, they are set to go down the same path once again.

    And while the Twins lack a true big bopper, they have actually done solid at the position. Carlos Santana (5’11”) won a Gold Glove last year while becoming a rock solid bat. Donovan Solano (5’9”) fit in well. And Arráez (5’10”) certainly played better at first than any other position. While none were sluggers, the offense has thus been solid enough for 13th in the league since 2021 in offensive fWAR. That suggests a modicum of talent. 

    Just how short are the Twins? In a recent study, first basemen were the tallest by height (as well as the heaviest by weight) of all the non-pitching positions. But I wanted to see if the eye test matched the data. To determine how teams have used height at first base, I looked at the height of every person to field for even a third of an inning at first base, and how many innings they played between 2022 and 2024:

    image.png.4eda4ca45936951f4e240d08a897976b.pngIn addition to BIG1, I made a plus stat entitled BIG1+, similar to BIG1+ where 100 is the average league score, helping show the difference:

    Team BIG1          BIG1+ 
    ATL 686.03  114.9 
    LAD 685.25 114.5
    BAL 673.41 108.6
    TEX 669.05 106.5
    PHI 668.62 106.3
    NYY 668.35 106.2
    BOS 667.15 105.6
    COL 663.99 104.1
    STL 663.05 103.7
    NYM 661.64 103
    MIA 661.48 103
    MIL 659.93 102.2
    Average   649.95 100
    TOR 654.81 99.9
    LAA 652.71 98.9
    HOU 651.51 98.4
    CHC 651.4 98.3
    SFG 651.26 98.3
    WSN 651.24 98.3
    KCR 651.2 98.2
    CHW 650.06 97.7
    SDP 649.69 97.6
    TBR 649.56 97.5
    OAK 647.44 96.5
    MIN 641.98 94.1
    ARI 641.71 94
    CIN 638.39 92.6
    DET 637.68 92.2
    PIT 636.38 91.7
    SEA 636.37 91.7
    CLE 635.81 91.4

    As we can see, the Twins have ranked quite close to the bottom of the league, though perhaps closer to the average than what might we imagine. But the top teams are more than twice above the average compared to how the far the Twins are back from the average.

    But diving further, a curious pattern emerges. The Twins have had not just a single short king at first but a steady diet of them over the years. For example, Ty France (5’10”) recorded over 3,000 innings with Seattle at first base since 2022 with only a handful of Mariner players filling in around 250 innings. The Twins, on the other hand, have had five player record over 500 innings at the position (and doesn’t even include Joey Gallo). That’s the most in the league (only the Pirates have had four).  

    Notably, the Twins are seemingly set to do the same again, and not just with France, but the whole range of new first basemen this season. Not only is there no set first baseman, likely meaning a wide variety of players in the position. But also, none of them need to duck when crossing doorways:

    Player Height (Inches)  Projected Games (ZIPS) 
    Ty France 70 136
    Edouard Julien  70 134
    Jose Miranda 72 121
    Mickey Gasper 68 96
    Mike Ford 70 88

    So why go down this path and continue to do so?

    Mostly, their big boppers have simply not panned out. Alex Kirilloff ended his career after a bizarre spine injury pushed him out. No team bothered to even send Sanó a non-roster invite for spring training. Gallo...happened. And Miranda has only received minimal playing time this spring there, suggesting the team might prefer him over in the other corner. Notably all these taller kids have performed poorly by defensive metrics like Outs About Average, while the short kings have at least been neutral to positive (or in Santana’s case, stellar). 

    Secondly, the Twins are about to hit an infield crunch. Brooks Lee has essentially already arrived and Luke Keaschall is close beyond. While Willi Castro will depart at the end of the season, someone over at second or third might find a permanent relocation to the right. Plus, if France has the season the Twins hope, he might not come cheap for 2026.

    For a team in need of improvements, only right field (where Max Kepler occupied for the same seasons) has ranked lower in terms of offensive output since 2021. It remains an obvious hole that could be filled with a trade (for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at the deadline) or a free agent (by signing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. this winter). 

    The Twins are well aware of the choice. After a recent spring training game, Rocco Baldelli responded to a question about Gasper’s profile a first base and specifically his height. “It’s not conventional, but we’ve done it here before…It’s certainly not an excluding factor.”

    And yet, what becomes clear is that while many teams set a first basemen in place and sit comfortably for years, the Twins have yet to develop a clear plan for the future. Perhaps if a ball or two goes sailing above someone’s head, that will change. 

    Peter Labuza is a Minnesota native living in California as a researcher for IATSE Local 600. When not watching the Twins, he works to support 10,000 camera crew members working in Hollywood, broadcast news, and sports achieve fair wages and working conditions.
    Follow Peter Labuza on Twitter: labuzamovies

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    Featured Comments

    tony&rodney

    tony&rodney 16,949

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    9 hours ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

    There is some foot work that needs to be taught but again shouldn't be that difficult to grasp the concept. 

    I really want to agree with your statement but when we watch the Twins first basemen it might be that is difficult for some players.

    tony&rodney

    tony&rodney 16,949

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    8 hours ago, gman said:

    Brandon Winokur is big enough to play 1st base. It'll be interesting to see if he play significant games at Witchita this year, of course he has to get through Cedar Rapids first.

    Winokur is super athletic. He has a ton of skills to learn yet but if he can hit at the MLB level we should expect he settles at shortstop, centerfield, or third base. 

    IndianaTwin

    IndianaTwin 12,194

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    9 hours ago, ashbury said:

    Base Inches Per Game At First is the analytics stat that finally wins over the average fan!

    Good old BIPGAF.

    I once tried to get my fantasy league to add (Home Runs + Balks + Errors)/K as a pitching category, just for the acronym, but they wouldn’t bite. 

    Jocko87

    Jocko87 5,696

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    9 hours ago, stringer bell said:

    It’s really hard to measure the impact of having an extra couple inches in reach at first, but it has to make some difference. 

    Umpiring last year I had a 13u team from Colorado with a 6'6 13 year old playing first base. Normally a kid this size is not comfortable with his feet but this kid was able to move. Couldn't really hit but was pretty natural at first base.

    Had the team 3-4 times and of course started chatting with the coaches as his movement stood out. Turns out, he's already on the national basketball landscape and slated for Duke or something in a couple years. Talented athlete.

    At this level, I worked out that he was worth more than a full stride over another appropriately sized 13 yo as a first baseman. It was stunning how my internal clock was completely worthless calling plays at first. I'd think a kid was going to be safe by two steps and this California condor would reach out to catch the ball. Out.

    It was memorable in that it was odd. He was a mismatch for the level.

    I have a hard time believing that at the pro level, a few inches of height is better than good technique. So many times I see a close call and a first baseman not fully stretched to make the catch.

    I'd rather see more coaching to catch at the soonest point than worrying about height. It's a huge advantage to be tall, but you have to use it.

    Bodie

    Bodie 514

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    20 hours ago, Jocko87 said:

    This is part of what makes it matter so much less than it used to. Years ago, with less predictable surfaces, putting the ball on the ground was a major risk. Throws would have to err on the high side and a tall dude mattered a lot.

    Now that the long hop is mainstream and a predictable hop is almost assured with manicured fields slightly different skills play. Correa and other infielders can throw it much harder with less risk and height isn't a limiting factor.

    Anyone (nearly) can make the routine plays.  A litteral garbage can (sans lid of course) would collect most of Correa's throws.

    Unfortunately not everyone else (anyone else?) makes life as easy as Correa. We have a 2B (projected, at least part-time) who would give the Jolly Green Giant fits even if he had a butterfly net! (Usable due to a certain IF's "sterling" arm strength, again this projected regular).

    Good 1B display thier utility on the tough 1-2% of plays that separate them from the pack.  Mark Grace didn't make his name as.an elite defensive 1B taking routine throws from Ryne Sandberg, he made it coralling Shawon Dunston's "routine" throws.

    Riverbrian

    Riverbrian 42,821

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted

     Necessity is the mother of invention.

    Freddie Freeman and Pete Alonso drafted and developed as a 1B only is fairly rare. When you look at the primary 1B around the league you see a bunch of players who moved to 1B due to necessity when considering the context of the current team. As Jose Altuve learns to play LF this year... it's important to note that players move around all the time due to necessity and 1B is busy spot to slide into. 

    Let's look at the projected primary 1B around the league: 

    1B exclusive throughout development:

    Red Sox - Triston Cases

    Royals - Vinnie Pasquantino

    Astros - Christian Walker - Primarily 1B but he did spend 2016 playing OF exclusively in Norfolk. Chris Davis was manning 1B at the big league level. Orioles released him - D-Backs picked him up for free at age 27 after the Reds claimed him and released him. 

    Angels - Nolan Schanuel

    Yankees - Paul Goldschimdt

     

    Converted from other positions: 

    A's - Tyler Soderstrom - Drafted as a Catcher in 2020. Played 1B and C almost equal amounts in the minors. 

    Orioles - Ryan Mountcastle - SS and 3B early minors - Hit the big leagues as an OF

    White Sox - Andrew Vaughn - Primarily 1B in the minors - Played OF First 3 years in the majors due to the presence of Jose Abreu. White Sox won the AL Central with Vaughn as the primary LF so it worked out OK. Moved back to 1B after Abreu moved on. 

    Guardians - Carlos Santana - Catcher for the first 4 years of his MLB career - Became the primary 1B in his 5th year at the age of 28. 

    Tigers - Colt Keith - Broke in at 2B in the Major last year - Has never played 1B in his professional career. 

    Mariners - Luke Raley - Played mostly OF - Although he has played some 1B almost every year in addition to OF in the minors and majors. 

    Rays - Yandy Diaz - Primarily 3B - Played 3B, 2B and OF in the minors - Didn't become a primary until age 29. Did some light dabbling at 1B during age 26, 27 and 28 years. 

    Rangers - Jake Burger - Played 3B - The Marlins were the first team to give him a 1B glove last year at age 28. 

    Jays - Vlad Jr. - Played 3B exclusively in the minors and 1st year in the majors. 

    That's just the American League - I can keep going and include the National League... but it will look the same.

    Necessity is the mother of invention. If you want a big body 6-3 Goldschmidt type 1B playing for you. It would be best if you draft and develop a guy like that. Otherwise the hole will be filled as necessity dictates... height be damned. 

     

    DJL44

    DJL44 16,608

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    21 hours ago, dxpavelka said:

    That clear plan for the future SHOULD be Royce Lewis. Would LOVE to see the IF settle in on Lewis at 1B, Keaschall at 2B, Lee at 3B & Correa at SS for the next 2-4 years.  

    Lee has less range than Lewis, runs slower and has a weaker arm. It might be Brooks Lee who ends up at 1B.

    I still think the solution to having two starting-caliber 3B is to trade one of them for something else.

    LambchoP

    LambchoP 2,539

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    With infielders like Keaschal, Winokur and Eeles coming up, I think Royce Lewis will be our long term first baseman. He's one of the few guys that has the right bat to profile there. If Lee can hit enough, it would open up third base for him. That way Keaschal can cover second base with Correa at short. I think that sounds like a good infield for a lot of years. We will need a shortstop of the future to take over after Correa, but with how this organization likes to draft shortstops I'm sure we'll find one 

    bean5302

    bean5302 9,281

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    Taller players will generally have a longer reach. How many times will a 1" greater reach prevent an error or result in an out? Once per year, maybe?

    UZR/150 for all 28 players with 1,000+ innings at 1B in the past two years.
    Highest = +3.7 (6'1" Michael Bush)
    Lowest = -5.3 (6'0" Spencer Torkleson)

    #2 - 6'4"
    #3 - 6'0"
    #4 - 6'0"

    There is no merit in selecting "tall" players for 1B in terms of defensive value.

     

    TwinsDr2021

    TwinsDr2021 4,463

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

    I'm getting the feeling that in college you were probably a mediocre 1B on defense and therefore can easily proclaim that 1B being a defensive position is utterly ridiculous.  I wonder what MLB players would say about that.

    LOL, my issue in college (Juco) wasn't defensive, it was hitting a fastball, probably a curve as well but I didn't see many of those. In reality I was given too many chances because I was a very good (Not great) defensive of first baseman, I pretty much could scoop anything and the other infielders loved throwing to me because they had the confidence I would help them out, but my bat hurt my team more than my fielding helped. By the end of my second year I had lost my job to a player that wasn't a good fielder but was much better hitter than me.

    Seth Stohs

    Seth Stohs 27,907

  • Site Manager

    • Posted

    They invested $2.75 million on Aaron Sabato in 2020. 

    I have to wonder about this though... 

    A taller 1B is going to catch the throws and be able to stay on the base an extra 5-6 inches. Comes in handy once in a while. 

    A "shorter" 1B  has a lower center of gravity. Would a shorter player be better at scooping balls in the dirt? Carlos Santana was so good at that last year. Comes in handy at least once a game, probably more. 

    And, obviously there is some middle ground there, just depends on the individual. 

    stringer bell

    stringer bell 25,881

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    As far as scooping low throws, being a former catcher (like Santana, Morneau and Mauer) would seem to be of more benefit than height. Mauer played first a bit until the head injury forced him out from behind the plate, but I think he was very good when moved to first. At more than 6'4" he had the size and reach to steal a few outs, as well. 

    dxpavelka

    dxpavelka 2,936

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    13 hours ago, DJL44 said:

    Lee has less range than Lewis, runs slower and has a weaker arm. It might be Brooks Lee who ends up at 1B.

    I still think the solution to having two starting-caliber 3B is to trade one of them for something else.

    And today we see once again the Lewis would most likely be best served playing a spot which requires the least amount of wear on a fragile body.  Why trade one of your two starting-caliber for something else when that something else might well be someone to fill a spot that you could move one of them to.  Actually I'm not totally against Lee being the guy who ends up at 1B but I think he presents more options in other positions that Lewis does.  The position I'm most interested in seeing Lewis occupy is "Activated from Injured List."

     

    David HK

    David HK 6,390

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    On 3/16/2025 at 3:47 AM, gman said:

    Brandon Winokur is big enough to play 1st base. It'll be interesting to see if he play significant games at Witchita this year, of course he has to get through Cedar Rapids first.

    He's the first guy I thought of.  McCusker's got that Richie Sexon prototype size, too.

    Or maybe Eeles..... 😅

    dxpavelka

    dxpavelka 2,936

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

    I don't think they want to make him a full-time DH.

    I don't think they do either.  Just not sure it's wise not to.  The difference between him and Buxton is that when Buxton does play defense he can do so at a world class level.  Lewis, not so much.



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