Minnesota Twins: Top 5 Switch-Hitters in Twins History

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Cristian Guzman of the Minnesota Twins follows through after hitting the ball against the New York Yankees during game three of the American League Divisional Series on October 8, 2004 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Greatest Minnesota Twins Switch-Hitter No. 5: Cristian Guzman (1999-2004)

Stats: 841 G, .266/.303/.382 (.685 OPS), 242 XBH (39 HR), 289 RBI, 102 SB, 166-491 BB-K, 2001 All-Star

Our official list starts off with Cristian Guzman, one of the quickest Twins in recent memory. The shortstop was an important piece for a franchise that was trying to avoid contraction and eventually helped lead them there in 2004.

Guzman was always a very flashy player because of his speed, speed that allowed him to lead the league in triples three times. His 61 triples are 17th among all Twins while his 102 steals are 20th. Both marks are more than any other switch hitter has managed.

He ranks fourth among all switch-hitters in RBI and fifth in home runs, despite never being much of a power threat when he was here (just under seven homers per season), and his 242 extra-base hits are third.

The only thing that keeps Guzman down in fifth is his his less than stellar OPS. Guzman’s overall numbers are good, but when you play the third most games, it’s expected that you have higher numbers. Guzman was very good, but not quite as great.

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