Cody Christie

Max Kepler's second-half resurgence has helped keep the Twins at the top of the AL Central. Winning can help build confidence in a clubhouse, but there haven't been all positive vibes in recent Twins history. Image courtesy of Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports Clubhouse culture can be complex for fans to gauge from the outside. If the club wins, many of the team's players will report that everything is going great, even if clubhouse issues are under the surface. On the other hand, a clubhouse can devolve into disarray when a club is in the middle of a long losing streak. Fans will point to the team's coaching staff or the veteran players for building a toxic work environment, but things are not always that simple. Max Kepler looked lost at different points in the first half of the season. He provided little offensive value, and his excellent defense seemed to erode. In 64 first-half games, he hit .207/.279/.409 (.688) with five doubles and 12 home runs. Many fans called for him to be replaced on the roster by a younger left-handed corner outfielder like Matt Wallner or Trevor Larnach. Minnesota's front office may have overvalued Kepler in the past, but their faith in him is being rewarded in the stretch run. Instead of dropping him, the team stuck with Kepler, and he has been one of the team's best hitters. In 39 second-half games, he has hit .319/.383/.609 (.992) with 13 doubles and nine home runs. He told Ken Rosenthal that it wasn't any specific adjustment that he made. "I can't just credit me as an individual," Kepler said. "It has to do with how the whole clubhouse chemistry kind of changed in the second half." He went on to say, "Teammates were rooting more for each other. You could really feel that. There is so much individuality that comes with this sport, especially when you hear, 'it's a business.' Players switch up (teams) a lot. Sometimes clubhouses feel disconnected. But in the second half, we all got off on the right page." Kepler has been on other Twins teams that have tried to build a solid clubhouse culture. During Kepler's rookie season, he joined a Twins roster that included Torii Hunter in his final big-league season. Hunter brought a different attitude to the Twins, including dance parties after wins with lights and smoke machines. The Twins finished above .500, an accomplishment for a team that had lost 92 games or more in four consecutive seasons. During the current season, the Twins have revitalized the clubhouse dance parties, which could be one reason for the team's success. Not everything has been sunshine and roses in the Twins clubhouse in recent seasons. Minnesota's front office made an unconventional move by bringing in Josh Donaldson with a four-year deal worth $92 million guaranteed leading into the 2020 season. At the time, it was the richest free-agent deal in franchise history and the second-largest MLB contract for a player 33 or older. The Twins were coming off a season when the club set a big-league record with 307 home runs, and Donaldson was seen as a veteran piece that could help the club win. However, he had a reputation for rubbing some people the wrong way, which might have impacted the team's clubhouse culture. The Twins won the AL Central during Donaldson's first season with the club, but injuries limited him to 28 games. He also wasn't available for the playoffs when Houston swept Minnesota. Donaldson bounced back in 2021 to play 135 games while posting a 127 OPS+. However, the Twins were a mess for a large portion of the season and finished with a 73-89 record, which was 20 games out of first place. Following the season, the Twins traded Donaldson to the Yankees while wiping the last two years of his contract off the books. Last week, Jeff Passan appeared on the Michael Kay Show and was asked about Donaldson and the trade that brought him to New York. He said, "Especially because the Yankees knew just how poorly he was getting along with people in Minnesota," continued Passan. "There was some toxicity going on there in Minnesota. I don't think you can look at the Donaldson trade in a positive way." As Parker pointed out on X, there are many ways to view the term toxic. It's usually associated with poor clubhouse culture, but there was also an edge to Donaldson that the front office felt was needed on the team. In hindsight, the Twins were lucky to find a trade partner for Donaldson because he has been a below-average hitter during his Yankees tenure. New York is currently in last place in the AL East, while the Twins sit at the top of the AL Central and the Yankees released Donaldson on Tuesday. Did culture play a role in both teams' performance? It probably depends on who you ask, but Kepler clearly thinks the Twins' culture is helping the team win. How vital is clubhouse culture? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. View full article

It's been clear for some time that the Twins needed a boost to the bullpen in the second half. Enter Kody Funderburk, one of the organization’s top relief pitchers over the last two seasons. According to Darren Wolfson, the Twins will be calling up the former Dallas Baptist slugger! Image courtesy of Seth Stohs, Twins Daily The Twins drafted Kody Funderburk in the 15th round of the 2018 MLB Draft from Dallas Baptist University. He split time in college as a hitter and a pitcher, but Minnesota drafted him to be on the mound. During his final collegiate season, he posted a 6.84 ERA with a 1.72 WHIP and 9.5 K/9. The Twins saw enough in his performance that the club believed he could improve on the mound, especially if he focused solely on pitching. During his professional debut, Minnesota sent Funderburk to Elizabethton, one of the team’s rookie league teams at the time. In ten appearances (nine starts), he had a 4.93 ERA with a 1.73 WHIP. He was surrendering over 11.0 H/9, which is too much contact for a pitcher that was older for the level. There was room for improvement in his performance, and Funderburk would get his first taste of full-season leagues in 2019. Funderburk started the next season with one relief appearance at High-A (Fort Myers). He pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings on two hits with two strikeouts and a walk. The Twins sent him to Low-A for the majority of the next season, where he made 12 appearances (10 starts). In 50 innings, he posted a 4.68 ERA with a 1.42 WHIP and a 55-to-25 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He lowered his H/9 to 8.1 for the season while increasing his strikeout rate. There were signs of improvement, but now the non-existent 2020 minor league season would become a factor. After the pandemic, Funderburk began the year as a starter at High-A with some positive results. In 45 1/3 innings, he posted a 3.18 ERA with 59 strikeouts and 21 walks. He only allowed one home run and held opponents to a .199/.298/.259 (.557) slash line. The Twins promoted him to Double-A for the stretch run, and he became a dominant multi-inning reliever. Funderburk posted a 1.25 ERA with 9.5 K/9 and held batters to a .286 SLG. His first taste of the bullpen went well and was a sign of things coming for the lefty. Minnesota sent Funderburk to the AFL following the 2021 season, but he was used primarily as a starting pitcher. The AFL is known as a hitter’s league, and Funderburk’s numbers point to some struggles. He allowed 12 earned runs in 17 2/3 innings but posted an 11.2 K/9. He would pitch the entire 2022 season at Double-A with time as a starter and reliever. In 17 starts (70 2/3 innings), he posted a 3.44 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP and 9.8 K/9. He compiled a 1.98 ERA out of the bullpen with a 26-to-19 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 36 1/3 innings. Funderburk continued to surrender too many hits in a relief role, which can’t occur to move up the organizational ladder. For the 2023 season, the Twins wanted Funderburk to focus on his relief role. He began the year back at Double-A, where he was over a year older than the average age of the competition. He pitched nine innings across five appearances and limited batters to one earned run on eight hits with 14.0 K/9. Before the end of April, the Twins promoted Funderburk to Triple-A, where he immediately became one of the club’s best left-handed relief options. In 52 innings, he has posted a 2.60 ERA with a 1.06 WHIP and 13.0 K/9. Outside of those totals, his pitching profile points to potential success at the big-league level. Even as a lefty, Funderburk has posted reverse splits throughout the 2023 campaign. Right-handed batters have hit .184/.258/.234 (.492) against him with 52 strikeouts in 141 at-bats. Lefties have slashed .203/.337/.279 (.615) with 37 strikeouts and 15 walks across 95 plate appearances. His cutter is the pitch he throws most regularly, and it typically sits in the low-90s. Funderburk’s left-handed arm action is unique, and it helps his pitches have more east-west movement to keep batters off-balance. He’s looked big-league-ready for quite some time, and now he will get that opportunity. What should the expectations be for Funderburk? What can he provide the Twins in the stretch run? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. View full article

If the Twins want to end their playoff losing streak, there will be a lot of pressure put on the starting rotation’s performance. Here’s how the rotation stacks up as the season enters the final month. Image courtesy of Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports FanGraphs projects the Twins to have more than a 95% chance to win the AL Central with only weeks remaining in the season. Last year, Minnesota fell apart in September and saw Cleveland take the AL Central title. It seems unlikely that will happen again in 2023, but Minnesota sports fans have suffered enough heartbreak to know anything is possible. The team has suffered a record 18-straight playoff losses, but this team has the frontline starting pitching to help a team win in October. Before laying out the rotation, it’s important to note that a lot can happen in the season’s final weeks. That’s one of the reasons the Twins are considering shifting to a six-man rotation as Joe Ryan returns from the IL. This shift allows the team to give starters more rest during the stretch run and to set up the rotation for better success in the playoffs. If the postseason started today, here’s how the Twins would ideally set up their starting rotation. Game 1 Starter: Pablo Lopez Lopez was the Twins’ Opening Day starter and was a first-time All-Star this season. His performance has had some ups and downs throughout the season, but he’s been one of the team’s best starters since the All-Star break. In his last seven starts (42 IP), he has posted a 2.14 ERA with a 46-to-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Lopez pitched a career-high 180 innings during the 2022 season, but there were signs of him tiring down the stretch. The Twins will look to avoid that problem this season, with him already approaching 160 innings. Game 2 Starter: Sonny Gray Like Lopez, Gray was an All-Star and the team’s best-starting pitcher in the first half. He posted a 2.89 ERA with a 1.27 WHIP and 101 strikeouts in just under 100 innings pitched before the All-Star break. In July, Gray seemed to tire, with his ERA rising to 4.85 with a 7.9 K/9. He turned it back around in August with a 2.81 ERA and a 0.94 WHIP in his first four appearances. For the playoffs, the Twins must monitor how Gray is utilized. He has struggled when facing a line-up for the third time, so the team might need to limit his appearance to five innings or less. Game 3 Starter: Kenta Maeda Entering the season, few would have predicted that Maeda would be lining up to start a playoff game for the Twins. He is in his first full season since undergoing Tommy John surgery and started the season at the back of the team’s rotation. Earlier in the season, Maeda missed time with a right forearm strain, which made his recent performance even more improbable. Over the last 11 games, he has posted a 2.91 ERA while holding opponents to a .654 OPS. His recent performance should stack up nicely compared to other team’s number three starters. Game 4 Starter*: Bailey Ober MLB’s playoff structure means the Twins only need three starters for the opening-round Wild Card series. Things can get a little more intriguing if the Twins win a playoff series for the first time since 2002. Ober has been one of the team’s most consistent starting pitchers, but he has already pitched a career-high in innings. If he tires down the stretch, the Twins will need to move a different starter into the playoff rotation, and there are a few options on the table. Other Options: Joe Ryan, Dallas Keuchel, Louie Varland Joe Ryan was a borderline All-Star in the first half and would have easily made the team’s postseason rotation. He became home run prone while hiding a groin injury, so the Twins hope his performance will improve as he returns from the IL. Twins fans might be slightly scared about the possibility of Keuchel starting a playoff game in October. For him to get a postseason start, there would need to be multiple injuries or poor performance from those ahead of Keuchel on the team’s depth chart. Varland hasn’t started a big-league game since the middle of June, but he still figures into the team’s long-term plans. It’s also possible for some of these starters to move to a bullpen role over the season’s final weeks. What will change with the rotation in the season’s final weeks? How would you line up the team’s starters for October? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. View full article

Mookie Betts returns to Boston this weekend for the first time since his trade from the Red Sox to the Dodgers. The Twins are eternally connected to his blockbuster trade, even if it took a roundabout way for the deal to transpire. Image courtesy of Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports In February 2020, the Red Sox were actively shopping Mookie Betts and had agreed to the parameters of a three-team deal. The deal initially would have sent Mookie Betts and David Price to LA, Alex Verdugo and Brusdar Graterol to Boston, and Kenta Maeda to Minnesota. Boston developed reservations about Graterol after getting a better look at his medicals. They requested that the Twins include another top prospect to balance the trade. Minnesota scoffed at this request and pulled out of the trade. Graterol's injury history was well known at the time, so it's unclear what Boston saw in his medicals that prompted the position change. He had Tommy John surgery as a prospect and suffered a shoulder impingement during his first season in the big leagues. The Red Sox weren't sending any players to the Twins in the original trade, so there needed to be more reason for Minnesota to include another prospect in the proposed deal. Even after the first trade collapsed, the Dodgers and Red Sox were able to complete a trade for Betts. Los Angeles acquired Betts and Price in exchange for outfielder Alex Verdugo, catcher Connor Wong, and infielder Jeter Downs. Verdugo has posted a 108 OPS+ in his four seasons since the trade, while Wong settled into a backup catcher role. Downs was considered a good prospect at the time of the deal, but he struggled in the minors, and the Nationals claimed him off waivers last December. At the same time, Betts is in the conversation for the NL MVP award and is arguably one of baseball's best overall players. The Twins were able to work out a separate trade with the Dodgers that included the same major piece from both clubs. Los Angeles received Graterol, Luke Raley, and the 67th selection in the 2020 MLB Draft. (Note - MLB draft picks cannot be traded except for the Competitive Balance picks.) Minnesota acquired Kenta Maeda, Jair Camargo, and cash considerations. It's been over three years since the two teams agreed to the trade, so both organizations have a clearer picture of the results. Maeda has made 47 starts in his Twins tenure while posting a 108 ERA+ with 10.2 K/9 and 4.53 K/W. He was the 2020 AL Cy Young runner-up after posting an MLB-leading 0.75 WHIP with a 2.70 ERA. Minnesota's desperately needed help in the starting rotation, and Maeda has exceeded expectations when he has been healthy. He's heading toward free agency for the first time in his career, and how he finishes the 2023 season might change his outlook. There is a possibility the Twins could make him a qualifying offer to keep him under team control for one more season at a high average value (roughly $20 million). Overall, his time in a Twins uniform has been respectable with injuries taking away some of his value. Graterol shifted to the bullpen with the Dodgers and is having arguably his best season with the club. In 55 appearances, he has posted a 1.50 ERA with a 1.07 WHIP and a career-high 1.8 rWAR. For a reliever, his strikeout totals have remained low, with a 7.0 K/9 for his career despite a triple-digit fastball. Los Angeles has trusted him in more late-inning situations over the last two seasons, with 27 games finished and ten saves. He's been a decent middle-of-the-bullpen option on some strong Dodgers teams. The other prospects involved in the trade have found differing success levels. Jair Camargo has hit .251/.316/.502 (.818) with 15 doubles and 18 home runs for the St. Paul Saints while continuing to play catcher. Raley has bounced to multiple organizations before finding a home in Tampa Bay this year. In 100 games, he has posted an .855 OPS with 20 doubles, three triples, and 18 home runs. Los Angeles used the draft pick they acquired from Minnesota to draft Clayton Beeter, a right-handed starting pitcher. Last year, he was traded from the Dodgers to the Yankees for Joey Gallo, and he earned a spot in the 2023 Futures Game. It will be interesting for fans to follow his career because of the multiple Twins connections. Minnesota's direct connection to the Betts trade didn't come to fruition, but it's a move fans can look back on through a specific lens. Would Graterol have performed better for the Red Sox? Who would the Twins have selected with the draft pick the club traded away? There are many unanswered questions even multiple years after this trade. How would you grade this trade in retrospect? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. View full article

The Twins have talked about a six-man rotation since spring training. In the season's final weeks, the timing might be suitable for the team to execute this strategy and put the team in a better position for the playoffs. Image courtesy of Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports After an injury-plagued 2022 season, the Twins front office has prioritized depth at multiple positions when building the 2023 roster. That included trading fan favorite Luis Arraez for Pablo Lopez last winter. With the move, the Twins pushed Bailey Ober, an established big-league starter, to the sixth spot on the rotational depth chart behind Lopez, Sonny Gray, Joe Ryan, Tyler Mahle, and Kenta Maeda. Mahle and Maeda were returning from injuries, so there was some question as to whether or not injuries would impact the rotation before the team headed north from Fort Myers. Minnesota stayed healthy this spring and decided against a six-man rotation to begin the year. Ober headed to Triple-A, and Mahle and Maeda occupied the rotation's final two spots. Teams can never have too much pitching, and that adage has shown to be true during the 2023 campaign. Mahle was limited to five starts before needing Tommy John surgery. Maeda headed to the injured list with a right triceps strain and missed 51 games. Minnesota's rotation continued to thrive, but the rigors of a 162-game season might mean the timing is right to revisit the idea of a six-man rotation. Joe Ryan's imminent return from the IL is just one of the reasons the Twins are considering a six-man rotation. Ryan was a borderline All-Star in the first half before becoming home run-prone in the second half. Eventually, he admitted to the team that he was dealing with a groin injury. Dallas Keuchel filled his roster spot and has seen mixed results during his Twins tenure. Keuchel's performance will play a prominent role in the team's plan for a six-man rotation, but more on that later. Other pitchers' performances are pushing the Twins toward considering a six-man rotation. Bailey Ober has already passed his career high in innings pitched and hasn't looked nearly as sharp in recent outings. Over his last five starts (24 IP), he has allowed 16 earned runs in 24 innings pitched with 26 strikeouts and seven walks. Home runs have been one of the most significant issues, as he has surrendered six home runs, and opponents have posted a .953 OPS against him. To manage his workload, the Twins can shift to a six-man rotation, giving him fewer starts during the stretch run. Kenta Maeda has been one of the Twins' best pitchers in the second half, with a 3.46 ERA and a 53-to-12 strikeout-to-walk ratio in just under 42 second-half innings pitched. However, he is the oldest pitcher in the rotation and is in his first year back from Tommy John surgery. If the Twins want Maeda to be 100% in October, it might be best to give him time to recuperate between starts the rest of the way. Sonny Gray was an All-Star in the first half and compiled some video game numbers in the process. He hasn't looked as sharp in recent outings, especially in the third time through a line-up. Gray's ERA is 1.7 runs higher in innings 4-6 than innings 1-3 and jumps to a 12.60 ERA in innings 7-9. Batters have a .507 OPS against Gray during their first plate appearance and a .670 OPS in the second and third time facing him. In the playoffs, starters are usually pulled after five innings or fewer, so this might work in Gray's favor down the stretch. So, who is available to fill the sixth rotation spot? The Dallas Keuchel experiment has seen some positive results, with the Twins winning two of his first three starts. He took a perfect game into the seventh inning against a lowly Pirates line-up after getting blown up by the Phillies in his previous start. Minnesota's leash with Keuchel is likely short, but Louie Varland has also performed well at Triple-A. If neither fits into the rotation, they are both options to move to a bullpen role for the stretch run. Will a six-man rotation benefit the Twins? Leave a COMMENT and join the discussion. View full article

There is no question that Byron Buxton's performance has been disappointing during the 2023 season. With fewer than 40 games remaining, the Twins might have one option: a return to center field. Image courtesy of Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports Byron Buxton was placed on the IL in early August with a right hamstring strain. Early last week, head athletic trainer Nick Paparesta told reporters that Buxton had resumed baseball activities, and his next step was to begin running progressions. The Twins have avoided sending Buxton on a rehab assignment this season, but it sounds like he won't avoid a St. Paul trip with his current injury. "Byron is getting back into baseball activities at this point in time," Paparesta said. "Obviously, him getting back into baseball activity is a good sign. Throwing, hitting, taking some ground balls and stuff, which is good." Minnesota's plan in spring training was to start Byron Buxton as the team's everyday designated hitter and eventually move him back to center field. Initially, the Twins likely hoped his knee would improve during the season so the club could use him in the outfield. Unfortunately, there has been little improvement with his knee, and he's also dealt with back issues and his current hamstring problem. Injuries have been part of Buxton's entire professional career, which can be frustrating for all parties involved. Buxton's time at DH has allowed him to appear in 85 games in 2023, but his offensive performance is below his recent standard. He has hit .207/.294/.438 (.731) with 17 doubles, one triple, 17 home runs, and a 109-to-35 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His 99 OPS+ is his lowest total since 2018. This OPS+ is low for an everyday DH, but it would be an acceptable total for an everyday centerfielder with elite defensive skills. His below-average performance is pushing the Twins to move him back to the outfield. In mid-July, Thad Levine talked about Buxton's outfield work in an interview with Cory Provus. He said, "Behind the scenes right now, we are doing a lot of defensive work, so when that time comes, we don't say we need three weeks to ramp him up. There are some things being done on a daily basis to help position him to be able to go out there when he is ready." Levine's quote also aligns with Paparesta's plan outlined above, which includes throwing and taking ground balls. The Twins also have better-performing DH options currently on the roster. Royce Lewis' return from the IL has left the team with one more infielder than positions on the field. Jorge Polanco and Edouard Julien can both see time at DH and second base. Carlos Correa has also been fighting plantar fasciitis, and some time away from shortstop might help his performance. Ryan Jeffers has been one of the team's best hitters in the second half and has started to get time at DH on days when he isn't behind the plate. Matt Wallner is another young bat that is tough to keep out of the line-up, and using him at DH helps to improve the roster. Minnesota's best-performing team includes Buxton in center field, playing at a high level. Twins fans saw this from him during his All-Star performance in the first half of 2022. Buxton posted an OPS over 1.060 in April and June on his way to being named the AL's starting center fielder. It's hard to argue what that would mean to the line-up if the Twins could glimpse that player in the season's final month. The Twins' playoff losing streak has stretched to 18 games, so winning in October is the easiest way to stop some negativity surrounding the team. Depending on the playoff match-up, Minnesota's best line-up puts Buxton in center field, but there are other injury concerns to sort out before the postseason. On paper, the positions below seem like the best way for the Twins to end their October woes. C: Ryan Jeffers 1B: Alex Kirilloff 2B: Jorge Polanco SS: Carlos Correa 3B: Royce Lewis LF: Matt Wallner CF: Byron Buxton RF: Max Kepler DH: Edouard Julien If Buxton had performed well at DH, there would be less reason to push him back to center field. Instead, his offensive streakiness will force the Twins to make a decision. For better or worse, Buxton will return to center field before the season ends. Should the Twins keep Buxton at DH? What is the best Twins line-up for October? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. View full article

The Twins focused on depth at multiple roster spots this winter, and the on-field results speak for themselves. With a month left in the season, which Twins are lining up to be Gold Glove finalists? Image courtesy of Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports Defensive metrics have come a long way over the last decade. With Statcast tracking every batted ball, the amount of information available to fans is at an all-time high. One metric the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) developed is the SABR Defensive Index (SDI). According to SABR's website, the SDI "draws on and aggregates two types of existing defensive metrics: those derived from batted ball location-based data and those collected from play-by-play accounts." Since 2013, SDI has been used as part of the process for selecting Gold Glove winners. The rankings below are through games played on August 13th, 2023. Pitcher (AL Ranking): Pablo Lopez 2.3 SDI (3rd), Sonny Gray 1.3 SDI (5th), Joe Ryan -0.8 SDI (22nd) Lopez continues to put himself in the conversation as one of the top defenders off the mound. Over the last month, his SDI total rose from 1.5 to 2.3, which ranks him behind Jose Berrios and Dean Kremer in the AL. After a tremendous month, Sonny Gray jumped from the back end of the rankings into the top five. He has a chance to jump into the Gold Glove conversation if he continues at this pace. Ryan's injury has kept him from improving his SDI total for the year. Catcher (AL Ranking): Christian Vazquez 1.6 SDI (5th), Ryan Jeffers -0.4 SDI (10th) Both Twins catchers dropped significantly in their SDI total over the last month. Vazquez saw his SDI total drop from 3.2 to 1.6 but didn't drop in the overall standings. He is 0.8 points out of the top three, so he will need to recoup some of that value in the season's final month, which might be a challenge since the Twins have been giving Jeffers more playing time. Jeffers also struggled by dropping in the rankings from 8th to 10th and losing 2.0 SDI points. It seems unlikely for either catcher to finish as a Gold Glove finalist. First Base (AL Ranking): No Twins Players Qualify The Twins have used multiple players at first base so far in 2023, which means no one has accumulated enough innings to qualify for the SDI leaderboard. Donovan Solano (-1 OAA), Alex Kirilloff (-5 OAA), and Joey Gallo (0 OAA) have each accumulated over 290 innings at first base. New York's Anthony Rizzo and Texas' Nathaniel Lowe sit atop the AL first base rankings, and the Gold Glove race will likely come down to these two players. Second Base (AL Ranking): No Twins Players Qualify Edouard Julien and Jorge Polanco have split time at second base for the Twins but neither ranks particularly well defensively. Polanco posted a -9 OAA during the 2022 season, and he's been worth a -6 OAA during the current season. Julien is a poor second-base defender, but he's been worth -2 OAA in close to 100 more defensive innings than Polanco. Injuries have clearly impacted Polanco over the last two seasons, and that's one of the reasons his Twins tenure may be ending. Third Base (AL Ranking): No Twins Players Qualify Third base has been a position in flux for the Twins this season. Jose Miranda started the year at the hot corner and posted a -6 OAA in over 300 innings. Kyle Farmer has played the second-most innings at third, but it's been his worst defensive position in 2023. He's been worth 1 OAA at shortstop and second base while posting a -1 OAA at third. The Twins hope Royce Lewis can handle third base for the remainder of the season, but a new position has a learning curve. Like Farmer, he has been worth a -1 OAA with some strong plays more recently. Shortstop (AL Ranking): Carlos Correa -1.9 SDI (7th) In July's SDI update, Correa jumped from 11th to 7th among AL shortstops and improved by 1.7 SDI. There was hope he could continue moving up the rankings down the stretch. However, it was a rough month, and he dropped by 3.6 SDI points. One has to wonder if his plantar fasciitis impacts his defensive skills, but he's been worth 2 OAA for the entire 2023 season. Wander Franco (11.8 SDI) and Anthony Volpe (9.8 SDI) have more than triple the SDI total of the third-place defender, so Correa wasn't going to be in the Gold Glove conversation. Left Field (AL Ranking): Willi Castro 1.8 SDI (4th), Joey Gallo 0.1 SDI (6th) Willi Castro has made himself irreplaceable on the current Twins roster and has a chance to be a Gold Glove finalist in left field. He wasn't known as a strong defender before this season, but he's posted a positive OAA at shortstop, third base, second base, and left field. Only three qualified players, including Isaiah Kiner-Falefa, Jarred Kelenic, and Andrew Benintendi, rank behind Gallo. Cleveland's Steven Kwan (10 SDI) has lapped the field and should easily walk away with the Gold Glove. Center Field (AL Ranking): Michael A. Taylor 6.3 SDI (3rd-Tie) Taylor had a tremendous defensive month to move from fifth in the AL to tied for the top three. He gained 2.6 SDI points over the last month, including multiple highlight reel catches (see below). His OAA ranks in the 95th percentile, seven points higher than last season, and his arm strength ranks in the 91st percentile. His previous reputation might help him to be a Gold Glove finalist over some of the other candidates. Other top center-field defenders include Jake Meyers (7.1 SDI), Julio Rodriguez (6.6 SDI), and Kevin Kiermaier (6.3 SDI). Right Field (AL Ranking): Max Kepler 1.2 SDI (9th) Kepler will fall short of being a Gold Glove finalist for the second consecutive season. He's considered a strong defender but a slow start at the beginning of the season has prevented him from ranking higher among AL right fielders. His OAA sat in the 67th percentile at the beginning of June, and he's improved to the 88th percentile. Kepler's improved offensive performance has helped to cover up some of his defensive lapses during the 2023 season. Do any of these defensive rankings surprise you? Which Twins will be Gold Glove finalists? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. View full article

Minnesota's farm system has ranked in the middle of the pack in recent years because of prospect graduations and trades. Will two budding stars push the Twins back into the conversation for one of the game's best farm systems? Image courtesy of William Parmeter Evaluating prospects has become ingrained in fans' evaluation of a team. It's easy to point at organizations like the Baltimore Orioles or Houston Astros that went into full rebuild mode to restock the farm system with the promise of better long-term outcomes. However, there are plenty of examples of teams who get caught in rebuild mode without ever having sustained success at the big-league level. Dreaming of the future can be fun for fans, but there are no guarantees that prospects will ever pan out. According to MLB.com, the Twins' farm system was moderately helped by jumping up to the fifth overall pick in MLB's first Draft Lottery. The 2023 MLB Draft was widely considered a five-player draft with a quintet of elite players sitting at the top of draft boards. Minnesota's farm system moved up two spots from 19th to 17th overall in MLB Pipeline's reranking of farm systems following the draft. Since 2021, this is the highest the Twins farm system has ranked, with the club's lowest ranking being 23rd (2022 midseason rank). Currently, the Twins have two prospects that rank among baseball's top 30, and an argument can be made for either to be the team's top overall prospect. Brooks Lee has remained at the top of the Twins Daily prospect rankings even after the team drafted Walker Jenkins with the fifth overall pick. Lee was recently promoted to Triple-A and has a chance to debut in the next calendar year, so it's expected for him to graduate from the team's prospect rankings by 2025. Instead, the team's top prospects project to be among baseball's best. Jonathan Mayo, one of MLB.com's prospect writers, believes the Twins will have two of baseball's top five prospects by 2025. Walker Jenkins is only a handful of games into his professional career, but many national outlets already rank him as a top-20 prospect. In his first nine professional games, he went 13-for-38 (.342 BA) with two doubles, one triple, and two home runs. Also, he's gone 3-for-4 in steal attempts and limited himself to six strikeouts. There is certainly a lot of pressure on high draft picks to perform in their first taste of professional baseball, and Jenkins has passed the first test. Emmanuel Rodriguez joins Lee and Jenkins in most national top-100 rankings and can potentially be a top-5 prospect by 2025. He's spent his age-20 season at High-A, where he has hit .228/.391/.443 (.834) with seven doubles, five triples, and 15 home runs in 81 games. After a slow start, Rodriguez has found his power stroke in August with four home runs and a .962 OPS in 12 games to start the month. For the second straight season, he is over two years younger than the average age of the competition at his level. In over 370 plate appearances, he has only faced a younger pitcher in two at-bats. The Twins have other prospects that will be among the team's top prospects by 2025. Marco Raya, one of the team's top pitching prospects, is pitching at Double-A in his age-20 season. Connor Prielipp will miss most of the 2024 season after having his second UCL procedure in three seasons on his left arm. He should be back to full strength by 2025 and working his way back into the team's top prospect conversation. Charlee Soto, the team's 2023 competitive balance pick, has yet to make his professional debut and might be the team's top pitching prospect by 2025. Brandon Winokur has been in the same FCL Twins line-ups with Jenkins and is off to a hot start. It will be interesting to see how these two players push each other as they club the organizational ladder. Few top Twins prospects have had a clear runway at the big-league level because injuries have impacted players, including Royce Lewis, Alex Kirilloff, and Austin Martin. Prospect development only sometimes follows a linear path, and other hiccups can occur with a player's performance from top prospect to MLB contributor. Jenkins and Rodriguez have two of the highest ceilings of any prospects coming through the Twins system in quite some time, and it's exciting to project what the team's farm system can look like in two years. Will the Twins have two of baseball's top five prospects by 2025? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. View full article

Jorge Polanco has been one of the Twins’ most underrated players throughout his big-league career. It’s looking more like his Twins tenure will end with a looming option, poor performance, and young players ready to replace him. Image courtesy of Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports Jorge Polanco debuted with the Twins 10 seasons ago, but he only appeared in nine games over his first two seasons. Minnesota had an infield need in 2014, and he was the only option on the 40-man roster. He became a regular for the Twins in the second half of 2016 and played over 100 games for the first time in 2017. Polanco started the 2019 All-Star Game at shortstop, and Twins Daily named him the team’s MVP in 2021. He will play his 800th game with the Twins this season, and the club will likely induct him into the team Hall of Fame following his retirement. Polanco has dealt with mounting injuries in recent seasons that have had a negative impact on his performance. Ankle injuries slowed him down during the 2019 and 2020 seasons, resulting in back-to-back offseasons where he needed surgery. He went on the IL for the first time in his career on June 16, 2022. Injuries limited to 46 games after his IL stint in 2022, and a knee injury delayed his start to the 2023 campaign. He’s played fewer than 50 games for the Twins this season, making his team option a tough decision for the front office. The Twins signed Polanco to a five-year, $25.7 million contract extension before the 2019 campaign, which turned out to be team-friendly. According to FanGraphs, Polanco has provided the Twins with $82.2 million worth of value since he signed his extension. Minnesota has two team options left on his current deal for $10.5 million per season. In 2023, injuries have limited his playing time, and he has been worth .$5.1 million. The Twins and the team’s medical staff know Polanco better than anyone, and his injury history might make it difficult for the club to pick up his option. Organizationally, younger players are performing at the big-league level and are prepared to step into Polanco’s role. Edouard Julien has been one of the team’s best hitters this season while regularly playing at second base. Royce Lewis and Brooks Lee are also expected to fit into the team’s infield picture for the foreseeable future. Minnesota’s ideal line-up by midseason next year likely includes Lee and Lewis, along with Carlos Correa and Alex Kirilloff. Health can always influence how the front office constructs the roster, especially with how the team has tended to value depth. If Polanco’s Twins tenure ends, fans should remember him as one of the best infielders in team history. Only three shortstops have accumulated more fWAR than Polanco, including Roy Smalley, Zoilo Versalles, and Greg Gagne. Rod Carew, Chuck Knoblauch, and Brian Dozier are the lone second basemen with more than fWAR than Polanco. All those infielders are among the best in team history, and each accumulated at least 150 more games than Polanco during their Twins tenure. Polanco has given the Twins tremendous value during his career, including being a leader on multiple playoff-contending teams. However, his Twins tenure seems to be coming to an end, with younger and cheaper options ready to step into the infield. There is a possibility that the Twins exercise his $10.5 million team option, but that seems like a fleeting chance at this point. Should the Twins exercise Polanco’s option? Can the team try and work on a restructured deal? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. View full article

Each player below is well on their way to establishing themselves at the big-league level. Which players rank among the team’s best 25 and under players? Image courtesy of Jordan Johnson - USA TODAY Sports The Twins have developed a solid young core carrying the team’s offense throughout the 2023 season. Each player below is in their age-25 season or younger while playing in the upper level of the minors. Some players no longer qualify for the organization’s top prospect list; others have yet to make their big-league debut. Players not eligible for the list include Ryan Jeffers, Trevor Larnach, and Willi Castro, who are all in their age-26 season. Part 1: 6-10. 5. Matt Wallner, OF Age: 25 Wallner is the organization’s reigning Minor League Player of the Year, and he dominated with a .927 OPS at Triple-A in 2023. Twins’ fans were calling for his promotion throughout the season’s first half, and now he is getting an opportunity in the middle of a pennant race. In 34 games, he has hit .244/.365/.522 (.887) with four doubles and seven home runs. He has a 31-to-10 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 107 plate appearances, but strikeouts are part of any power hitter’s profile in the current baseball climate. His outfield arm is also one of baseball’s best. The Twins should have Wallner penciled into a corner outfield spot for the foreseeable future. 4. Edouard Julien, 2B Age: 24 Julien rose swiftly on Twins prospect lists after a breakout 2022 season where he hit .300/.441/.490 (.931) at Double-A. His rookie season is shaping up to be one of the best in recent Twins’ history. Julien hit .286/.377/.491 (.868) with 11 doubles, one triple, and 10 home runs in his first 67 games. His below-average defense at second base is the one knock against him at this point in his career. He likely projects as a first baseman or DH in future years, and that’s why he isn’t higher on this ranking. 3. Jhoan Duran, RHP Age: 25 It’s hard to imagine where the Twins would be over the last two seasons without Duran. His development into one of baseball’s best late-inning weapons has been critical to the team staying in the division race. He’s pitched just over 112 innings over the last two seasons with a 2.24 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP while striking out 12 batters per nine innings. He threw the fastest pitch in MLB this season and collected 20 saves for the first time in his career. His average velocity is up on both fastballs and offspeed pitches this season. Duran ranks in the 92nd percentile or higher in Whiff%, K%, xBA, xSLG, and xERA/xwOBA. 2. Royce Lewis, SS/3B Age: 24 Injuries have limited Lewis to 38 big-league games over the last two seasons, but he’s showcased his dynamic skill set during that time. In 140 plate appearances, he slashed .319/.343/.496 (.839) with six doubles and six home runs. The Twins drafted Lewis as a shortstop, but there have been questions about his ability to stick at that position. The team shifted him to third base in 2023 because Carlos Correa is playing shortstop. In future years, the team’s best defensive line-up might include Lewis at second base or in the outfield. He places second on this list because injuries have impacted a large portion of his career to this point. 1. Brooks Lee, SS Age: 22 The Twins have been aggressive with Lee after taking him with the eighth overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft. He was the first player from his draft class to play at the Triple-A level. Minnesota promoted him to St. Paul after he hit .292/.365/.476 (.841) with 31 doubles and 11 home runs in 87 Double-A games. He continues to play shortstop, but third base is likely his eventual defensive home as his body continues to mature. There is a small chance the Twins might need Lee at some point this season, but that seems unlikely unless there are multiple injuries at the big-league level. How would you rank the top five? Should Lewis be ranked number one over an unproven Lee? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. Full Rankings (with link to more Twins Daily articles on each player): 10: Austin Martin 9: Jose Miranda 8: Simeon Woods Richardson 7: Louie Varland 6: Alex Kirilloff 5: Matt Wallner 4: Edouard Julien 3: Jhoan Duran 2: Royce Lewis 1: Brooks Lee View full article

Minnesota’s bullpen has needed an upgrade for most of the season. Can any current starters help add depth to the bullpen for the stretch run? Image courtesy of Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports Minnesota’s starting pitching has carried the team through much of the regular season. In the playoffs, the Twins will need fewer starters for the postseason, so the team may have players shift to relief roles. Here are four starting pitchers the Twins might consider for a bullpen shift in the coming weeks. Kenta Maeda, RHP Last season, there was talk about Maeda shifting to a bullpen role when he returned from Tommy John surgery. Unfortunately, the Twins fell out of the playoff race, and there was no reason to rush him back. One of the main reasons there was discussion about Maeda in a bullpen role was his previous success as a dominant postseason reliever during his Dodgers tenure. In 25 postseason appearances, he has a 2.87 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP and 10.5 K/9. He has not made a relief appearance since being traded to the Twins before the 2020 season. Maeda has been the team’s best starter in the second half, so the club might be hesitant about him shifting to a different role. Since returning from an early season IL stint, Maeda has posted a 2.36 ERA with a 62-to-14 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 49 2/3 innings. Opponents are hitting .190/.251/.333 (.585) during this stretch. If the playoffs started today, the Twins would have to put Maeda into the starting rotation, but a lot can happen in the coming weeks to change that narrative. Dallas Keuchel, LHP Keuchel’s Twins tenure started well by pitching five innings and allowing one run on eight hits. Many fans called for him to join the rotation after he posted a 1.12 ERA across six starts with the Saints. His minor-league totals were acceptable, but some peripheral numbers pointed to his recent struggles from recent seasons. Keuchel struggles to strike out batters and gives up a lot of contact, which can lead to runs. Those aren’t exactly traits that a team desires from a bullpen option in critical late-season games. In his first start, his velocity increased on every pitch type compared to last season. Most of his pitches top out in the high-80s without missing many bats. As a left-handed pitcher, there might be a bullpen opportunity if Caleb Thielbar struggles with his return from the IL. Keuchel’s second start with the Twins was disastrous, so his only chance to impact the Twins late in the season is likely in the bullpen. Would the team want a soft-throwing lefty as a reliever? Louie Varland, RHP Varland dominated in his most recent Triple-A start on the same night Keuchel struggled with the Twins. He is part of the team’s long-term plans and is the back-to-back winner of the organization’s Minor League Player of the Year. Three bad starts in June pushed Varland out of the rotation when Maeda returned from the IL. Before that stretch, he had a 3.51 ERA with 39 strikeouts and eight walks in 41 innings. He seems likely to rejoin the Twins rotation shortly, especially if the team feels the Keuchel experiment was a failure. The Twins won’t need five starters in the playoffs, and that’s why an eventual bullpen move for Varland makes sense. Last season, he pitched a career-high 152 1/3 innings, and he’s about 30 innings behind that total in 2023. Minnesota can help monitor Varland’s innings down the stretch while still finding him a useful role for the big-league club in October. Chris Paddack, RHP Paddack is the dark horse in this group. Similar to Maeda in 2022, Paddack is returning from Tommy John surgery and might be able to join the team in September. It’s his second time recovering from this procedure, so he is very familiar with the process, and he’s about 14 months removed from the surgery. Paddack is scheduled to face live hitters in mid-August, which puts him on track to rejoin the Twins sometime in September. It seems natural for Paddack to want to return to the mound and help his team. However, there is no reason to rush him back to make a handful of appearances with the club. It seems more likely for the team to give him the entire off-season to recover and be full strength for spring training next season. Will the Twins move any of these starters into relief roles? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. View full article

Prospect lists can be flawed in the fact that there are players that have lost prospect eligibility but are still young. Let's explore the Twins' top players in their age-25 season or younger. Image courtesy of Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports The Twins have developed a solid young core carrying the team's offense throughout the 2023 season. Each player below is in their age-25 season or younger while playing in the upper level of the minors. Some players no longer qualify for the organization's top prospect list; others have yet to make their big-league debut. Players not eligible for the list include Ryan Jeffers, Trevor Larnach, and Willi Castro, who are all in their age-26 season. 10. Austin Martin, IF/OF Age: 24 Martin was considered the top prospect the Twins received as part of the Jose Berrios trade, but he's struggled since the trade. During the 2022 season, he posted a .683 OPS at Double-A. During spring training, Martin sustained a sprained ligament in his right elbow. Thankfully, he has been able to avoid surgery. In 26 Triple-A games, he has hit .261/.374/.364 (.737) with six doubles and one home run. It will be interesting to see if his performance improves with an entire off-season to recover from his elbow injury. 9. Jose Miranda, 3B/1B Age: 25 Miranda would have easily been in the top-5 of this list at the season's start, but his performance has struggled in 2023. He suffered a shoulder injury during spring training and tried to play through the injury. In 40 big-league games, he posted a 56 OPS+ with seven extra-base hits and 24 strikeouts. Miranda is currently on the IL because of his shoulder issue. When healthy, Miranda is an elite hitter, and the Twins hope this version of Miranda returns for the 2024 campaign. 8. Simeon Woods Richardson, RHP Age: 22 It's easy to forget that Woods Richardson is this young, especially after making his big-league debut during the 2022 campaign. He's pitched at Triple-A for nearly the entire 2023 season, where he is over five years younger than the average age of the competition. In 18 appearances, he has a 5.56 ERA with a 1.61 WHIP and 7.4 K/9. Luckily, he still has plenty of time to improve his performance and will be in the conversation for the Twins' 2024 starting rotation. 7. Louie Varland, RHP Age: 25 Varland might seem like the organization's forgotten starting pitching prospect, but he's won back-to-back Minor League Pitcher of the Year. He split time between the Triple-A and MLB levels in 2023 with results that don't match his previous performance. In 12 Triple-A starts, he has a 4.53 ERA with a 1.41 WHIP and 10.6 K/9. The Twins might still need Varland during the 2023 season, but his performance has yet to warrant the team promoting him. He is still part of the team's long-term plans and projects to be in the Twins' rotation for 2024 and beyond. 6. Alex Kirilloff, 1B/OF Age: 25 Kirilloff would rank higher on this list for many teams, but he has struggled to stay healthy for multiple seasons. His wrist impacted his performance over the last two seasons, so the Twins ramped him up slowly to start the 2023 campaign. He looked like one of the team's best hitters for a stretch, including winning the AL Player of the Week. However, a shoulder injury has him back in the IL. An argument can be made for Kirilloff to be in the top-5, but he needs to prove he can stay healthy and productive at the big-league level. How would you rank these players? Which player will have the most significant long-term impact on the club? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. View full article

The Twins can hope the injury bug avoids the team in the season's final weeks, but that seems unlikely. Here are seven St. Paul Saints players who can be helpful pieces as the calendar creeps closer to September. Image courtesy of Rob Thompson, St. Paul Saints In a perfect world, the Twins would glide through the season's final months while increasing their lead in the AL Central. Minnesota sports fans know better than to expect that to occur. It seems more likely that the team needs to dig into their accumulated depth at Triple-A to find a player who can help the club. Some players are on the 40-man roster, while others are not, adding another layer to the conversation. Trevor Larnach, OF 40-Man Roster: Yes Larnach has played 180 games for the Twins over the last three seasons and has yet to establish himself at the big-league level. He's seen other corner outfielders pass like Matt Wallner pass him on the team's depth chart. This season at Triple-A, he's posted a .917 OPS with 18 extra-base hits in 43 games. Larnach is the most likely option for the team to add to the roster for the stretch run. Ronny Henriquez, RHP 40-Man Roster: Yes Henriquez made his big-league debut with the Twins last season and allowed three earned runs in 11 2/3 innings with a 0.94 WHIP and nine strikeouts. Last season, he shifted roles between starter and reliever, so this has been his first full season in the bullpen. Over his last ten appearances, he has posted a 4.40 ERA with a 10-to-9 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Henriquez has been getting hit hard this season, but he's on the 40-man roster, giving him a chance to be a call-up. Louie Varland, RHP 40-Man Roster: Yes The Twins could have selected Varland over Dallas Keuchel when Joe Ryan recently went on the IL. However, that would have meant giving up on Keuchel and taking away some of the organization's depth. Varland struggled in his ten big-league starts this year by allowing 33 earned runs in 56 innings. The Twins demoted him in mid-June, and he's posted a 4.63 ERA in nine starts while opponents have accumulated a .797 OPS. Varland is the most apparent option with the Saints if a starter gets injured. Gilberto Celestino, OF 40-Man Roster: Yes Celestino didn't follow a linear development path with the Twins. The team rushed him to the big leagues, and he played 145 games with little experience at the Triple-A level. During spring training, he ruptured the ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb, which required surgery. Following rehab, the Twins sent him to Triple-A, where he has a .743 OPS with ten extra-base hits in 32 games. He's a right-handed bat that can play all three outfield positions which might be helpful if there is an outfield injury. Brooks Lee, SS 40-Man Roster: No Many fans will be clamoring for Lee, the team's top prospect, to make his big-league debut, especially if the team falters down the stretch. He's the first player from the 2022 MLB Draft to play at the Triple-A level, so the Twins are already aggressive with his promotions. He posted an .841 OPS with 31 doubles and 11 home runs across 87 games at Double-A. If the Twins need Lee, it likely means an injury to a key player in the lineup. Kody Funderburk, LHP 40-Man Roster: No Surprisingly, the Twins have yet to turn to Funderburk while the team attempts to find reliable relief options. Minnesota has relied on Caleb Thielbar and Jovani Moran as the team's primary left-handed relievers, while Funderburk has posted solid numbers at Triple-A. In 31 appearances, he has posted a 2.68 ERA with a 1.08 WHIP and 13.4 K/9. He's been one of the organization's top relievers for multiple seasons and deserves a chance at the big-league level. Anthony Prato, UTL 40-Man Roster: No Prato can play multiple defensive positions in the infield and outfield, making him an intriguing option for the stretch run. He's also destroyed the ball since being promoted to Triple-A near the beginning of June. In 44 games, he has hit .324/.476/.613 (1.089) with 20 doubles and seven home runs. He's also drawn more walks (37) than strikeouts (36). Prato has been one of St. Paul's best hitters, and the Twins might want to reward his performance. Which player or players will help the Twins down the stretch? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. View full article