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Minnesota Twins: 5 things that have defined the Twins season so far

By Chris Schad

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 28: Manager Rocco Baldelli #5 of the Minnesota Twins looks on during the eighth inning of the Opening Day game against the Cleveland Indians on March 28, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Indians 2-0. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 28: Manager Rocco Baldelli #5 of the Minnesota Twins looks on during the eighth inning of the Opening Day game against the Cleveland Indians on March 28, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Indians 2-0. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OHIO – JULY 09: Jorge Polanco #11 of the Minnesota Twins and the American League throws during batting practice before the 2019 MLB All-Star Game, presented by Mastercard at Progressive Field on July 09, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – JULY 09: Jorge Polanco #11 of the Minnesota Twins and the American League throws during batting practice before the 2019 MLB All-Star Game, presented by Mastercard at Progressive Field on July 09, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

The Twins young players have stepped up

For years, Twins fans have been waiting for their young nucleus to step up. With top prospects Byron Buxton, Max Kepler and Jorge Polanco providing inconsistent results in their first couple of seasons, 2019 was considered to be a crucial year for all three despite Kepler and Polanco getting contract extensions in spring training.

With the pressure on, all three have thrived. Polanco ranks fifth in the AL with a .312 batting average and was voted as the starting shortstop for the AL in the All-Star Game. Kepler had a strong All-Star resume but rebounded from a down 2018 to hit 21 HR and drive in 55 RBI despite hitting out of the leadoff spot. Buxton has also gotten in on the party, having a career season hitting .253 with 24 doubles at the break.

Even outside of the expected trio, others such as Mitch Garver have stepped up to give the Twins a potent lineup from top to bottom. While fans are still waiting for Miguel Sano to find his groove, he still holds a .896 OPS which holds potential if he can cut down on his strikeouts.

In any event, the Twins young nucleus is starting to find its way and that could mean great things in the second half of 2019 and beyond.

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