Despite the fanbase feeling pessimistic heading into the season, the Minnesota Twins are giving their fans a reason to be excited in 2026. After winning eight of its last 10 games, Minnesota holds the best record in the American League Central (11-8) and second-best in the AL behind the Tampa Bay Rays (11-7).
While many Twins players are contributing to the team's success, several are hurting it with their performances. Puckett's Pond has already addressed the struggles of outfielder James Outman, left-handed reliever Anthony Banda and right-handed starting pitchers Simeon Woods-Richardson and Bailey Ober, so here are three other Twins players who need to heat up as soon as possible.
3 struggling Twins players who need to turn things around fast
RF Matt Wallner
Wallner has been Minnesota's least valuable player this season per bWAR (-0.6). The right fielder is slashing .191/.276/.353 (78 OPS+) with an MLB-leading 32 strikeouts. He also ranks last in MLB with -5 Defensive Runs Saved.
Wallner, who has one minor-league option remaining, has proved he can be an impressive middle-of-the-order bat when he's at his best, as he has a career .814 OPS with 54 homers in 291 games. However, the Forest Lake native could quickly find himself back with Triple-A St. Paul if he fails to get back on track at the plate.
After a strong spring training, outfielder Alan Roden is continuing to prove he belongs in the majors by posting an .892 OPS with the Saints this year. Additionally, top outfield prospects Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel RodrÃguez are knocking on the door of their MLB debuts. Wallner could be the odd man out when Minnesota decides to promote Roden, Jenkins or RodrÃguez.
2B Luke Keaschall
Keaschall has had a rough start to the year, hitting just .222/.278/.292 (62 OPS+) in 19 games after a strong rookie campaign where he slashed .302/.382/.445 (129 OPS+) in 49 games. The Twins' offense has succeeded despite Keaschall's struggles, holding the fourth-best OPS in the AL (.732). However, since Keaschall is widely viewed as Minnesota's best hitter besides center fielder Byron Buxton, and overachieving Twins hitters are likely to regress, the Twins will likely need Keaschall to step up his performance if they want to be in the playoff hunt later in the year.
Despite his overall poor numbers, Keaschall should be alright. The second baseman has looked better at the plate recently, collecting five hits in his last 15 at-bats. And despite his poor results this year, the Arizona State product has a 28.2% squared-up rate (76th percentile), 22.9% chase rate (83rd percentile), 13% whiff rate (97th percentile) and 13.9% strikeout rate (39th percentile).
RHP Cole Sands
The Twins' bullpen has easily been the club's weak spot this season, as Minnesota's relievers rank 23rd in MLB with a 5.00 ERA. Of the six Twins relievers who have made at least six appearances this season, Sands has the worst ERA (4.26) besides Banda (10.38).
Sands has allowed at least one baserunner in each of his seven appearances this season. In 6 1/3 innings, the righty has surrendered seven hits and three walks with five strikeouts. Sands can be an effective reliever when he's performing to the best of his abilities. Given Minnesota's immense bullpen struggles, the team desperately needs Sands to turn things around.
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