Minnesota Twins: Top 5 Switch-Hitters in Twins History
By Otto Johnson
Greatest Minnesota Twins Switch-Hitter No. 2: Roy Smalley (1976-1982, 1985-1987)
Stats: 1,148 G, .262/.350/.401 (.751 OPS), 315 XBH (110 HR), 485 RBI, 15 SB, 549-606 BB-K, One-Time All-Star, One-Time World Series Champion
Roy Smalley has long been in the top spot on this list, mostly because he’s played in 272 more games than the next closest person on this list. With that many games, you should rack up stats. Smalley has.
The former shortstop is currently first among Twins switch-hitters in games played, on-base percentage, extra-base hits, home runs, RBI, and walks. His consistency has been incredible, part of the reason his name is all over the Twins overall record books too.
He’s 29th in WAR, 42nd in OBP, 26th in games played, 32nd in runs, 30th in total bases, 21st in homers, 14th in walks, and 30th in RBI. If you don’t count all of the Senators players, he lands in the top 20 (and even top 10) in each of those categories.
He wasn’t quite good enough to make the Twins Hall of Fame, but he’s still with the organization doing broadcasting work and helping out as an ambassador. He’s thought of very highly by most of the people in Twins Territory and within the organization. It was an easy call to put him on the list.