Who Breaks Out For The Twins?
As the Minnesota Twins head into the 2015 season, they are going to be looking for some contributors to step up. After posting a top 10 offensive output last season, regression will set in for some players, and that will only be cooled by new names answering the call. For the Twins however, there are plenty of capable players on all sides of the diamond.
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
It’s very fair to say that the Twins got breakout performances from Kurt Suzuki, Danny Santana, and Phil Hughes a season ago. While Hughes was likely the one counted upon the most, his level of success could not have been predicted. Both Santana and Suzuki delivered on the offensive side, and helped to fuel what was a good run scoring Twins team.
There are quite a few players to watch in 2015, but we picked our favorites from the rotation, field, and bullpen to highlight. Check them out…
Sep 28, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kyle Gibson (44) pitches in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Starter: Kyle Gibson
Last season, no one in baseball had a bigger split between wins and losses than Gibson. The Twins former first round draft pick owned an ERA near 1.00 in games where he recorded a win, and saw it balloon to over 12.00 when tagged with a loss. Although his final ERA sat at 4.47, his FIP (fielding independent pitching) was more promising at 3.80. Now further distanced from Tommy John surgery, and with two major league seasons under his belt, look for the step forward to be big.
Gibson is never going to be a strikeout pitcher, but he should improve to being near a 6.0 K/BB ratio. Limiting and lowering his 2.9 BB/9 will help with that transition. Last season, Gibson struck out 107 batters, expecting that number to climb above 120 is realistic. His final ERA should be below four, and he could prove to be one of the Twins top three pitchers in 2015.
Reliever: Nick Burdi
I’m not ready to project exactly when he breaks into the big leagues, but I don’t think there’s any doubt that it’s coming in 2015. Casey Fien and Glen Perkins have been solid and will continue to lock down the 8th and 9th innings for the Twins. However, Burdi would prove to be a valuable asset in the 7th inning and could be a strong back-end option for the Twins. Much like the Royals did with Brandon Finnegan a season ago, Burdi should be accelerated through the system.
Owning a 2.66 ERA in his first professional season, Burdi has been virtually unhittable outside of his first start at Cedar Rapids. His 16.8 K/9 mark would be an immediate boost to the Twins bullpen, and he has the stuff to blow it by major league hitters. He should probably start the season in Fort Myers, but expecting him to surface before the end of the summer is not unrealistic. After being called up last season, Finnegan posted a 1.29 ERA and 12.9 K/9 for the Royals in seven games, Burdi could replicate that.
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
Position Player: Oswaldo Arcia
Although he feels like he has been around for a while now, Arcia has played in the majors for only two season, and he has not been with the big league club the entirety of the season in either of them. That changes in 2015. With only his back issues to hold him back, Arcia should break out, and in a big way. His bat started to look scary through working with Tom Brunansky at the end of the 2014 season, and that has carried over into winter league play.
Over the final month of the season, Arcia hit .263/.330/.513 and mashed six home runs while driving in 14 runners. Expecting that to continue in 2015 should be the case. Arcia likely will pace the Twins in home runs, and should be amongst their best in slugging. If he can cut down on even a few of his strikeouts, the balls put into play will only elevate his game even further. With fewer distractions to worry about in left field, Arcia should have an easier time playing the field and a better opportunity to focus on hitting.
Minnesota is poised to turn things around in 2015, and they will need new contributors if they are going to do so. As the Twins continue to climb through the ever competitive AL Central, it will be on the development of the youth already slated to start on the 25 man roster that pave the way.
Next: 2015 Twins: For Better Or For Worse
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