The Minnesota Twins may have had a 2018 to forget but here are one writer’s top-5 moments of the year as we wait for the calendar to turn to 2019.
Us as Minnesota Twins fans likely would like to take 2018 and toss it out of our memory banks. The season itself was one that was full of expectations of another playoff appearance but in reality, it was filled with failed free agent signings and a second place finish in a very bad division. Sort of felt like the same trajectory of emotion that followed the Vikings season. Sorry, too soon?
With the disappointment of the year and season covered, there were some things that were still pretty great about 2018. Things that still bring a smile to my face as a fan of baseball, the Twins, and someone who gets to punch at his keyboard regularly and write my opinion about the team I love to cheer for.
As I have tried to narrow my favorite moments down to five, I have realized how hard of a task that is. Due to that, I will start with a few Honorable Mentions.
Honorable Mentions
The Willians Astudillo experience makes my honorable mentions. This may make many others actual list but if I am honest I was doing a lot of highlight watching by time Astudillo hit the major leagues so I missed seeing some of his celebrated moments live due to my other life as a High School Soccer coach.
Even though I missed those moments live. They were still pretty fun and exciting to follow in a season that was all but lost at that point. Unfortunately, I worry that might be it for Astudillo with the Twins unless something has gone horribly wrong with Jason Castro‘s recovery.
My other honorable mention would be the development of the Twins up and coming minor league players. Royce Lewis looks like a star, as does Alex Kirilloff, both of whom I had a chance to watch live this past summer. Lewis struggled a bit in the game I saw him play but it was later learned he was struggling with injury.
Kirilloff, on the other hand, looks every bit the part of a major league player physically right now. I was very impressed with the way he could hit and also the rocket of an arm he displayed for right field. You can read more about my experience watching Kirilloff here.