Minnesota Twins: 2022 Quarter-Season Grades for the Twins Hitters

2022 Minnesota Twins Quarter-Season Infielder Grades

Catcher: Ryan Jeffers

Ryan Jeffers’ season at the plate has left a lot to be desired. The former second round pick is getting the bat on the ball plenty, but he’s just not seeing the results that he should, and he’s striking out way too often.

Lucky for him though, he’s one of the best defensive catchers in baseball, ranking in the 97th percentile in pitch framing and he’s errorless through 25 games. The Twins could use more offense from him, but his defense has been excellent, and that’s really what you need from a catcher. Grade: B-.

First Base: Luis Arraez

In the past, I’ve been critical of Luis Arraez, for not really being a good defender and struggling to draw walks and hit for power. While he still can’t hit for power, he’s transformed his game yet again and been everything the Twins have needed.

His batting average and on-base percentage are way up from last year and rank near the league lead, while his slugging percentage has jumped 46 points as well. He’s doing a really admirable job of filling in at first as well, helping out where the Twins are in desperate need. He’s truly been the Twins’ most valuable player thus far. Grade: A.

Second Base: Jorge Polanco

Jorge Polanco is in the same boat as Ryan jeffers. He’s been extremely streaky on offense in 2022, especially when it comes to contact and slugging, but his OBP has been consistently solid due to his team-leading 24 walks and a walk rate that’s one of the best in baseball. His analytics suggest things will even out.

On defense, Polanco has proven the improvements he made at the end of last year were legit. Despite a .698 OPS and the fact that he plays second base, he currently has a 1.3 WAR, mostly from his defensive ability and clutch hitting. Still, it’s hard to grade him highly with his offensive numbers. Grade: B-.

Shortstop: Carlos Correa

After a brutal start to the season (mostly due to a missed Spring Training and brutal weather adjustments, Carlos Correa has turned things around, slashing .268/.339/.384, numbers that are far closer to his career averages. He’s not hitting for power as much, but in a year with dead baseballs, no one seems to be.

His defense has been as good as advertised, and the Twins’ signing of the superstar appears to have been a great one. I can’t give him an A, as he’s missed quite a bit of time and the lack of power is a question mark, but he’s already a clubhouse leader and a key member of this team. He’s been well worth the contract thus far. Grade: B+.

Third Base: Gio Urshela

After moving on from Josh Donaldson in the offseason, the Twins left Gio Urshela with some big shoes to fill. So far this year, he’s done a pretty solid job. His offense to start the year wasn’t very good, and he’s been on a roller coaster since then, but he’s done enough (especially hitting in the clutch).

His defense has also been far better than I expected as well, creating some pause before anointing Royce Lewis the future at third base. He’s been a useful player this year, so we’ll take that as a win. Grade: C.

2022 Minnesota Twins Quarter-Season Outfielder Grades

Left Fielder: Trevor Larnach

Trevor Larnach had a very tough year in 2021, struggling to see any of his hits land despite a very high exit velocity. This year has been a completely different story. He’s currently posting a .280/.329/.400 slash line, a line that was even higher before his return from injury.

His power still isn’t showing through like it did in the minors, and his defense isn’t perfect, but the 25-year-old has been a very competent hitter for the Twins for almost his entire tenure in the lineup. He’s been rock solid. Grade: B.

Center Fielder: Byron Buxton

Despite currently being mired in an awful slump that’s seen him go 3-36 over his past ten games, Byron Buxton still currently boasts an .883 OPS, telling you just how good he’s been over the season for the Minnesota Twins.

His game management plan has limited his availability, but he still has one of the highest WAR numbers on the team (and that’s with a good chunk of his games coming as the designated hitter). He’ll start hitting again, but right now this ugly slump reflects his grade not being the same as his value. Grade: B.

Right Fielder: Max Kepler

Don’t call it a comeback! Max Kepler has been stellar for the Twins all year, offering his usually strong defense and speed but also bringing some of the best offense of his career to the table. His batting average (.262) and on-base percentage (.362) are both career highs while his slugging percentage is second to only stellar 2019 season.

He’s hit well in clutch situations, limiting strikeouts, walking more, and is on pace to set career highs in steals and possibly RBI. Even better, his Baseball Savant page reads like a dream, suggesting he’s in line to get even better. The Twins are definitely better with Max Kepler playing this way. Grade: A.

2022 Minnesota Twins Quarter-Season Bench Grades

Outfielder Gilberto Celestino

As good as Max Kepler, Trevor Larnach, and Byron Buxton have been this year, Gilberto Celestino‘s development has been the most exciting news for the outfield in 2022. Currently slashing .359/.438/.422, Celestino has been a revelation.

He’s always been a good defender, but his development at the plate with a much-improved eye and a refined approach have led to him being a consistent average hitter and the perfect fourth outfielder for the Twins. Sure, a regression is likely, but this has been the perfect start for the young outfielder. Grade: A+.

Utilityman Nick Gordon

When Nick Gordon was pressed into action in 2021, he performed well, and his versatility was very important for the Twins as they trudged through the worst season in half a decade. This year, he’s taken a small step back, but with the way the team has played, it’s felt enormous.

Of the twelve players on this list, Gordon’s OPS of .611 is the lowest on the team by 25 points, simply because he can’t get on base or hit for power. His versatility is still useful when the Twins have been as beat up as they’ve been, but his defense is simply average and his offense is lousy. When Royce Lewis is ready to take over as the utility man, Gordon may be the odd man out. Grade: D+.

Catcher Gary Sanchez

Before the season began, I wrote about how Gary Sanchez could have a bit of a career renaissance in Minnesota. While that hasn’t quite happened, he’s posted his best OPS+ since his All-Star 2019 season, improved his pitch framing, and looked much more comfortable than he did in either 2020 or 2021.

He’ll probably improve even more offensively a little bit as the year gets warmer (more of his towering hits will fly a little better) and defensively (more time getting comfortable with the Twins system of catching). For a catcher/part time-DH, he’s been very solid. Grade: B-.

Outfielder Kyle Garlick

Kyle Garlick has become one of the most indispensable platoon player I’ve seen over the last two decades of Twins baseball, and it’s clear to see why: He simply mashes left-handed pitching. Just look at his splits against different pitchers:

• RHP: 9 G, 13 AB, .154/.267/.385, 1 HR, 2 RBI
• LHP: 14 G, 20 AB .350/.440/.800, 3 HR, 8 RBI

His defense is forgettable, and he’s only used in specific situations, but he’s been absolutely dominant when needed, just like he’s been his whole career. What a truly fun player. Grade: A+.