2015 Twins: Who Leads The Longballs?
As the Minnesota Twins embark on Fort Myers in 27 days, the ballclub will kick off what should be the most successful season the Twins have played in years. With an offense that produce at a respectable clip a season ago, the additions of free agents, as well as internal talent should push the envelope even further. With home runs remaining one of the most exciting parts of the game, the Twins could have quite a bit of power this season, but who leads the group?
More from Minnesota Twins News
- Minnesota Twins: Grading the Twins’ Joey Gallo signing
- Minnesota Twins: Grading the Christian Vazquez Signing
- Minnesota Twins: Twins jump into Top 5 in first MLB Draft Lottery
- Minnesota Twins: Byron Buxton wins 2022 Bob Feller Act of Valor Award
- Minnesota Twins: A Twins Homage to the Turkey of the Year Award
Last season, the Twins had just four players hitting double-digit home runs, and this season, that number could double. With the Twins looking like they have a lineup that can compete with anyone, just who paces the long ball total may come as somewhat of a surprise.
With both familiar names, and some dark horses, check out our projection of the top five home run hitters for the Twins in 2015.
Sep 5, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins catcher Josmil Pinto (43) at bat against the Los Angeles Angels at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
5. Josmil Pinto
Last season, Pinto saw limited time with the Twins due to struggling to brandish catching ability behind the plate. With Kurt Suzuki having one of the best offensive seasons of his career, there was little room for a guy who was a significant downgrade behind the plate.
Now with another season of development under his belt, Pinto is ready to push for regular playing time. He will open the year as the backup catcher, and lone option behind Suzuki, on the 25 man roster. Although Pinto still leaves plenty to be desired behind the plate, a season of offensive regression from Suzuki, should provide plenty of opportunities for the young slugger.
In 2014, Pinto mashed seven home runs over just 57 games and hit only .219. He was never able to find regular time to get into a rhythm however. Expect both the batting average and home run total to rise. Somewhere around 15 long balls is realistic.
Sep 25, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier (2) hits a single in the fifth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
4. Brian Dozier
It’s not often a second basemen finds themselves into the Home Run Derby, and even less often that a 5’11” 190 lbs player is considered a home run threat. Brian Dozier is Mississippi strong however, and is knocking all of those stereotypes.
He participated in the 2014 Home Run Derby last season at Target Field, and although it didn’t go as planned, his season total of 23 led the Twins. His swing is not designed to hit the high, bombing, home runs. Instead, he uses a solid stroke to launch line drives into the seats, and changes very little of what he does each at bat. Dozier finds himself in the lineup on a daily basis, and his bat will continue to find pop.
Last season, the 23 home runs came in 156 games. He struggled at the plate in the second half however, and much of the power stroke seemed to leave him. Expect Dozier to be somewhere in the middle this season, and a bit more consistent over both halves. Looking for 16 home runs should be a fair plateau.
Sep 27, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Twins designated hitter Kennys Vargas (19) hits a single in the fourth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Despite suggesting that he is going to be the Twins fourth leading home run hitter, it took some self convincing. Down the stretch last season, Vargas struggled at the plate. After his promotion, he went on a tear and found his average resting in the .300’s for most of the season. In September however, it plummeted and dropped his season line to .274/.316/.456. That slash line is likely more reflective of what his projections should be going forward.
Even with the regression he experience during September, Vargas launched five long balls during the final month, in just over 20 games. I expect him to be pushed mightily this season for designated hitter at bats. He will have to fend off time from Pinto, Joe Mauer, and even Miguel Sano. That being said, there is no denying his power stroke.
53 games in 2014 produced nine home runs for Vargas, I think it’s safe to expect that number to at least double. Being slated as the every day designated hitter, and the lone backup first basemen, he should find himself playing in over 150 games. I’d guess Vargas launches somewhere around 21 home runs this season.
Sep 24, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe (24) hits a sacrifice fly in the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
The biggest advancement for Plouffe in 2014 came in his defensive ability. Showing an increased range and comfort at the hot corner, Plouffe did plenty to appear to be a realistic option for the Twins in the immediate future. With Sano out for the season, Plouffe was able to settle in and focus on working to become a more complete player.
His fifth year in the majors, Plouffe posted the highest average of his career. Batting .258 and launching 14 home runs across 136 games were solid marks for Plouffe. The 136 games also were the highest total that Plouffe has played in during his career, and could have been higher if not for a wrist injury late in the season.
During the 2012 campaign, Plouffe went on a midsummer home run tear, and turned in a career high 24 long balls. I don’t expect him to reach that mark this season, but I think he improves on his 14 total from a season ago. Expecting Plouffe to hit 22 home runs seems like a fair expectation in 2015.
Sep 26, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Twins right fielder Oswaldo Arcia (31) hits a two run home run in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
There may be no one player that has injury concern more tied to production than Oswaldo Arcia. Having missed time during his Venezuelan Winter League for a back injury, Arcia already has some question marks heading into Spring Training. That being said, the Twins will be monitoring his situation to an extremely close extent.
In 2014, Arcia split time between Triple-A Rochester and the big club. He was unable to hit consistently at the major league level, and it wasn’t until Tom Brunansky started to make breakthroughs with Arcia that the swing started to come together. All that being said, in 103 games last season, Arcia was able to hit 20 home runs to the tune of a .231/.300/.452 line.
This season, I think Arcia is a prime candidate to see an uptick across the board. Expecting an average around .250 would be realistic, and 31 home runs should be a reachable mark for the new every day left fielder.
With five players already named as candidates to pace the Twins in home runs, there are still more players that should be seen as double-digit long ball producers. Names like Torii Hunter and Danny Santana should be realistic bets to reach double digits. Depending on the timeframe in which Miguel Sano debuts, he also could be seen as a possibility.
No matter who ends up leading the team in home runs, the Twins should have plenty of guys that work to pace an offense that was already respectable a season ago.
Next: Projecting Your 2015 Twins 25 Man Roster
More from Puckett's Pond
- Minnesota Twins: 2022 Year in Review for Twins Baseball
- Minnesota Twins: Making the Case for the Current 2023 Rotation
- Minnesota Twins: Does the MLB or the Twins have a Spending Problem?
- Minnesota Twins: 2 Possible Free Agent Reunions for 2023
- Minnesota Twins: Holiday Wish List for the rest of the Offseason