Minnesota Twins: Four Potential All-Stars for the Twins
The All Star game this year is in Miami, Florida and the Minnesota Twins hope to have more than one member on the American League team.
In past years the Minnesota Twins have had a player placed on the team but haven’t had one voted on since 2013. The last Twin voted onto the team was catcher Joe Mauer. This year the Twins hope to have more than one All-Star; they have a good chance to do so too.
Currently Miguel Sano leads Manny Machado in the vote to start at third base. He is also leading the charge for the Twins offensively. However, he isn’t alone in helping the Twins hold onto first place in the Central Division.
Joe Mauer has quietly become one of the best defensive first basemen in the league while also improving on a rough April. Ervin Santana has had a couple rough outings but has been an ace for the Twins this season. Brandon Kintzler has been the lone bright spot in a bullpen that has lost several games for the team.
Miguel Sano – 3B (.301/.405/.601)
Sano is the definition of an All-Star and an MVP candidate. He leads the team in runs, hits, home runs, walks, and RBIs. The next closest player in RBIs on the team has twenty less. He also leads the AL in RBIs while being top ten in almost every category.
He still has a tendency to strikeout (he is third in the AL) but has also shown patience being fourth in walks in the AL. With his improved patience he has been able to wait for his pitch and the Twins have benefited from that.
The most glaring issue with Sano was thought to be his defense. However, Miguel has shown that he can handle third base and occasionally making an amazing play. He made the quick decision that started the Twins triple play against the Angels.
3. For. 1.
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) June 2, 2017
It's the first time the #MNTwins have turned a triple play since May 27, 2006. https://t.co/wGE0aP6zXg
The latest released All-Star voting had Sano narrowly ahead of Manny Machado who has had a subpar year. This could be the first year of many more with Miguel starting at the hot corner.
Ervin Santana – SP (8-3, 2.20 ERA)
Santana has been nothing short of an ace for the Twins so far this season. He has pitched three complete game shutouts helping give the bullpen rest. Friday night he pitched a nine inning, 91 pitch gem against the San Francisco Giants.
He ranks first in the American League in innings pitched (90), shutouts (3), complete games (3), and hits per nine innings (4.7). Santana is also third in ERA behind Dallas Keuchel (1.67 ERA) and Jason Vargas (2.18 ERA). Ervin has gone above and beyond for the Twins this season.
The rest of the AL only has two complete game shutouts. Santana has had a three starts where his stuff just wasn’t there but compared to his other ten starts he has been nothing short of a Cy Young candidate.
With the All-Star game being in an NL park the pitchers will be in the lineup. Against the Giants Santana proved he has a bat to go with his fastball. He led the offense for the Twins with a bases clearing double in a Twins 4-0 win.
It was @ErvinSantana_54's night – from the mound to the batter’s box. #MNTwins #SMELLBASEBALL https://t.co/r2lg5kv9Hl
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) June 10, 2017
Joe Mauer – 1B (.284/.353/.407)
Mauer is a 6-time All-Star and 5-time MVP candidate, however he hasn’t been to an All-Star Game in three years. His MVP caliber play has regressed since he has moved to first base. This season Mauer is starting to get back to being the hitter fans remember.
After a tough month of April where he hit .225/.271/.275 Mauer has vastly improved. He has begun to provide the veteran leadership in the lineup the Twins have lacked. All while getting on base almost half of the time he comes up to the plate.
Since start of May, Joe Mauer is hitting .337 (29-for-86) w/ 4 HR, 14 RBI and getting on base over 43% of the time.#MNTwins
— Dustin Morse (@morsecode) June 3, 2017
Joe has also become one of the best defensive first basemen in the league. Defensive production has become almost as important as offensive production in the MLB. This year the Twins defense has been key in helping their pitching staff. Mauer has been a key contributor on defense.
With Mauer getting his hits to drop and preventing balls from leaving the infield he is proving he deserves to be in Miami. Although he won’t get the votes to beat out Miguel Cabrera he could still make the team.
Brandon Kintzler – CP (16 saves, 3.08 ERA)
With Glen Perkins out for the past year the Twins have looked to Kintzler to anchor the bullpen; and that is exactly what he has done. This season has been no different as he leads the AL in games finished (23) and is third in saves.
Kintzler isn’t a closer like Craig Kimbrel, Aroldis Chapman, or Ken Giles who is going to blow pitches by you in the upper 90’s. He isn’t known for striking out the side in the ninth inning to secure a win. Brandon is consistent, he is going to throw strikes and trust the defense behind him.
He had never been a closer before taking over for the Twins last season and went 17 for 20 in save opportunities. Being a closer is a lot of pressure and even when Kintzler has blown a save he has come out strong in his next appearance.
Kintzler is a long shot to make the All-Star roster as he has to show he is more deserving than players with flashier numbers. Kimbrel leads the AL with eighteen saves and consistently gets multiple strikeouts every outing. Kintzler isn’t anywhere near the player Kimbrel is but is the most consistent arm in the Twins bullpen.
Next: Twins Can Keep Up With Cleveland
There are lots of players throughout the AL that deserve to make the All-Star Game in Miami. The Twins have shown they are ready to play with the best teams in the MLB and that is thanks to several players. The Twins deserve to have at least two players make the All-Star Game and Sano should be the headliner.