Minnesota Twins: Comparing current Twins Players with All-Time Greats

Minnesota Twins First Baseman compares to…

If there’s one thing you need to know about Miguel Sano, it’s that he crushes baseballs. Every year of his 7 year MLB career, Sano has finished in the top 6th percent in max exit velocity. This has lead Sano to post some impressive home run totals, topping 28 home runs three times while missing a significant amount of games due to injury.

…Hall of Fame Minnesota Twins legend Harmon Killebrew.

Perhaps no one in the history of the league hit the ball harder than Minnesota Twin and Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew. His power was so infamous that Ossie Bluege, the scout (and former Senators player who signed him, said, “He hit line drives that put the opposition in jeopardy. And I don’t mean the infielders, I mean outfielders.”

Sure, Sano and Killebrew share a knack for clobbering the baseball. But the comparisons don’t end there. Both strike out frequently (both have led the league in strikeouts once), and walk often (Killebrew led the AL in walks four times, Sano was in the 78th percentile of walk percentage last year).

Finally, both players have some…struggles defensively. Their large frames regulated them to the corner infield or the occasional corner outfield spots. Killebrew has -78 career defensive runs saved for his career, and Sano will likely fall behind him. He’s already at -49.

However, both Killebrew and Sano are the type of players in which coaches and fans are able to look past their deep flaws to watch their mammoth home run shots sail into the upper deck.

Minnesota Twins third baseman Josh Donaldson compares to…

Many were skeptical of the Josh Donaldson signing two years ago. However, Donaldson has been solid, posting a 128 OPS+ since he joined the Twins.

…Minnesota Twins Hall of Famer Bob Allison.

Donaldson has been a consistent slugger for his entire career, much like underrated Minnesota Twin lifer Bob Allison. While they didn’t play the same position and Donaldson has just started his Twin career, their offensive numbers are quite similar. Through their age 35 season, Donaldson and Allison hit 251 and 256 home runs and drove in 728 and 796 runs, respectively.

Their career slash lines are similar too:

Donaldson: .269/.367/.505/.872 for a 135 OPS+.

Allison: .255/.358..471/.829 for a 127 OPS+.

While Donaldson is sure to greatly surpass Allison’s home run total (Allison’s age 35 season was his last), both players will go down in Minnesota Twins history as consistently great players who gave their all on the field.

If you’re looking for a Byron Buxton comparison, there is no shortage of great Minnesota Twins outfielders in their history. Unfortunately, Buxton has spent much of career on the injured list, so it’s better to look at skill sets as opposed to accomplishments.

You could look back towards the Washington Senators days at Goose Goslin, but his consistency and high averages aren’t Buxton-like. Kirby Puckett and Tony Oliva are possible picks too, but they lacked the speed and defensive metrics that Buxton thrives in.

Therefore, the only Minnesota Twins player that could come close to replicating the incredible skill set of Buxton is Torii Hunter. Buxton started his career as a fleet-footed light-hitting center fielder who has since evolved into a 5-tool threat. No one in Minnesota Twins history was a better 5-tool athlete than Torii Hunter.

While playing for the Twins, he hit 20 or more home runs 7 times, stole 20 or more bases 3 times, and won 7 Gold Glove awards in centerfield.

While Buxton’s career pales in comparison to the accomplishments of Hunter, he has plenty of time to match those totals with his new contract extension. A healthy Buxton could be the key turnaround for the Twins to climb back into contention in 2022.