Minnesota Twins vs AL Central at Designated Hitter
How do the Minnesota Twins compare to their AL Central competition at DH?
Historically, the Minnesota Twins have a checkered history at the designated hitter position. The first year for DHs was 1973, and the Twins had the legendary Tony Oliva serve as their first DH. He hit the first ever home run for the position against Hall of Famer Catfish Hunter.
But over the 42 years, the Twins have had a love/hate relationship with the DH, never really having someone settle in for the long haul at the position. Instead, they most often use it as a platoon position, or a placecard for a veteran on the decline.
Oliva was already damaged goods when he was the serving as the DH. His knees were done, though Tony’s bat was still quick. The Twins would be happy if their DH put up 16 HRs, .754 OPS, and 92 RBIs every year, as Oliva did his first year. The best year the Twins had at DH was their now-manager, Paul Molitor hitting .858 OPS with 113 RBIs and 9 HRs. He’d also point out that, at age 39 that year, he also stole 18 bases.
Twins did employ a professional DH in their World Series-winning year in 1991, as Chili Davis hit 29 dingers and drove in 93 runs. The 29 home runs are the most for a full-time Twins DH in a season. Meanwhile aging stars Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz hit 33 and 37 home runs respectively as DH last year. Yeah, about that last guy, Ortiz. He was a Twin for the first 4 years of his career, hitting 20 HRs and 70 RBIs in his final year. One that had moved him out of the outfield and into a full time DH. The Boston Red Sox have seen Ortiz hit for over 30+ home runs 9 times since acquiring him in 2003.
Next: Who are the Probable AL Central DHs for 2016?
Who Will DH for Teams in the AL Central?
Minnesota Twins:
This past off-season, the Twins signed Byung-ho Park from the KBO to be their primary DH for the foreseeable future. Yes, he will spell first baseman Joe Mauer in the field now and then, but the Twins have pushed all in on a young (29) slugger to man a position whose primary goals are to hit, hit home runs, and drive in runs. All the while shoring up a power drought in the middle of the batting order.
Last year, the Twins had young slugger Miguel Sano as their primary DH after his arrival in July. The thought was to either groom him to be the everyday first or third baseman of the future. Instead, the Twins signed Park last December 1st to a 4 year, $12 million contract, after posting $12.8 million to negotiate with him.
Park has lit up the KBO League the past 4 years, winning MVP honors twice, while leading the league in home runs each of the past four years. He hit 52 and 53 home runs in the past two seasons alone. The big question is how these gaudy power numbers will translate in the MLB. This spring, he has not seemed over-matched, leading the Twins in home runs and RBI so far, with a .944 OPS.
Kansas City Royals:
Kendrys Morales resurrected his career last year with the World Champion Royals, after bouncing around some teams (including the Twins), after leaving the California Angels. He had an .847 OPS with 22 HRs & 106 RBIs as the Royals’ full-time DH.
These numbers reflect earlier production at the plate when he was a regular with the Angels and then the Mariners. 23 HR’s/90 RBI’s would be reachable numbers for Morales, especially with all the offensive weapons and speed in the Royals lineup.
Next: Tigers and Indians
Detroit Tigers:
Injury and age are plaguing the Tigers’ DH, Victor Martinez, this Spring Training. His outlook to make the Opening Day roster seems safe, as manager Brad Ausmus thinks Victor’s hamstring should heal in time. Either way, Martinez just celebrated his 37th birthday this past December, and missed over 40 games due to injury last year.
Always a Twins-killer, the veteran Martinez has put up big run-producing numbers for the Tigers since his acquisition 4 years ago. He’s averaged 88 RBIs during that time, even with stints on the DL. Conceivable that Martinez could put up a 20 HR/90 RBI year for the Tigers this year.
If he’s hurt, the Tigers will patch the DH spot with Steven Moya, Casey McGehee, and even giving All-Star Miguel Cabrera a breather in the DH spot now and then. The Tigers have a potentially potent lineup, but losing Martinez for any length of time would be a blow to the heart of their batting order.
Cleveland Indians:
The Indians did not have a full time DH last year, and this year looks to be more of the same. Carlos Santana is listed on their depth chart as the #1 first baseman and also the #1 DH. A team that has boasted DH’s such as Travis Hafner, Jim Thome, and Andre Thornton, will instead see Santana, Lonnie Chisenhall, and maybe even Marlon Byrd at the DH spot.
With the Indians having young players throughout their outfield, the DH spot will be mostly an afterthought for them. On the whole, expect low power numbers, as no Indians player on the roster hit even 20 last year. This is the weakest link in the AL Central as far as DH goes. An aggregate 15 HRs and 50 RBI from DH role would be an educated guess.
Next: White Sox and Ranking
Chicago White Sox:
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While the Indians may consider the DH an afterthought, the White Sox right now are scrambling to fill their DH void after Adam LaRoche abruptly retired last week. Though replacing LaRoche’s numbers won’t be that difficult, as he hit just over the Mendoza line and “slugged” 12 HRs and drove in just 44.
Our friends at Southside Showdown see the Sox filling the DH internally, with a combination of outfielders Melky Cabrera, Adam Eaton, Avisail Garcia, and backup catcher Dioner Navarro all seeing time at designated hitter. While they are employing the same strategy to “create” a DH as the Cleveland Indians are, the sum of the parts will be better than the what the Indians will produce.
An aggregate 20 HR, 75-80 RBIs from the DH spot would be a success, and an improvement, for the White Sox in 2016. Not to mention, they will have freed up $13 million in salary with LaRoche’s retirement.
If the White Sox are in contention at the trade deadline, they could be players for a veteran DH bat. It wouldn’t be inconceivable to see someone like Carlos Quentin returning to the south side of Chicago this summer if he cannot find a roster spot in the crowded Twins outfield/DH spots.
Next: Twins Grades in Loss, Nolasco Goes 6 Strong Innings
Ranking of the AL Central at Designated Hitter:
- Royals – Consistency of Kendrys Morales, plus the lineup hitting in front of him, has the Royals DH on pace for another 100+ RBI year.
- Twins – Byung-ho Park looks to be the real thing. This projection could look foolish if he breaks out with a 30 HR/100 RBI season.
- Tigers – Victor Martinez would rank higher if he played the Twins every day. As it is, his age and injury concerns have him in the middle.
- White Sox – No true DH, but their parts as a whole place them above the Indians. Plus, a possible reunion with Carlos Quentin?
- Indians – Is Pronk ready to un-retire? The Indians’ sum of their parts have them last in the DH category.