Minnesota Twins Player Preview: Trevor Plouffe

Can Trevor Plouffe reward the Minnesota Twins for keeping him around?

2016 Previews: Miguel Sano, Trevor May, Brian Dozier

Following an offseason that left some uncertainty regarding his future with the club, third baseman Trevor Plouffe once again finds himself on the roster for the Minnesota Twins.

With the emergence of outfielder Miguel Sano, many wondered if Plouffe would have a spot on the team in 2016 as trade rumors began swirling. In the end, general manager Terry Ryan made the decision to keep Plouffe and his 22 home runs from a year ago.

2015 Recap

Since his breakout season in 2012, Plouffe has been a consistent contributor to the team. Just last season, he set career highs in runs (74), hits (140) and RBIs (86).

Despite the strong numbers by Plouffe, it was his batting average that took a hit. His .244 average was the lowest for Plouffe since 2012.

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Offensive numbers aside, perhaps one of the biggest contributions he made was in games played. Plouffe proved to be a steady force appearing in a career-high 152 games, while committing just 11 errors and posting a .972 fielding percentage.

Overall, 2015 was a strong campaign for Plouffe and one the Twins would probably like to see repeated. After struggling to find any offensive consistency last season, the Twins are hoping a combination of Plouffe, Sano, second baseman Brian Dozier and designated hitter Byung Ho Park will add some pop to the lineup.

Next: Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths

-Plouffe’s offensive output since 2012 has been perhaps the strongest of any Twins player. His numbers were so strong in fact the Twins decided to move Sano from third to the outfield this upcoming season.

-Defensively, Plouffe has continued to improve each year and has made it a top priority to become a better third baseman. With gold glove finalist Brian Dozier, an improving Joe Mauer and returning shortstop Eduardo Escobar, the Twins infield looks to be a solid defensive unit for 2016.

-Versatility is another huge advantage for Plouffe who has seen time at all infield spots aside from catcher and pitcher as well in left and right field. And while it would be difficult to see him play anywhere other than third or first, the fact that they could use Plouffe at most positions in case of an emergency just adds to his value for the Twins.

Weaknesses

-Consistency has been a struggle for Plouffe as his batting average has never exceeded .258. Plouffe figures to be no better than a .250 hitter for his career but also looks to be a solid power hitter so it really is a bit of a tradeoff.

-Plouffe’s strikeout numbers continue to climb and while he is not quite the free swinger Sano is, the hope is that his 124 strikeouts last season is the peak.

Next: 2016 Outlook