During spring training, it was pretty obvious that Orlando Arcia, Ryan Kreidler and Tristan Gray were competing to break camp as the Twins' backup shortstop. Gray, the only left-handed hitter of the bunch, ultimately won the battle. However, all three players are now playing key roles for Minnesota.
Since the Twins moved Brooks Lee to third base after optioning Royce Lewis to Triple-A St. Paul last month, manager Derek Shelton has been using a rotation of Arcia, Kreidler and Gray at shortstop. Additionally, Arcia and Gray have seen playing time at the other three infield positions and Kreidler has logged innings at third base, center and left field. While the three journeymen are likely just holding down shortstop until Minnesota calls up top infield prospect Kaelen Culpepper, their defensive versatility gives each of them a much greater chance of continuing to receive playing time.
Arcia, Gray, Kreidler producing offensively while holding down shortstop for Twins
Arcia, 31, spent the beginning of the season with Triple-A St. Paul. Minnesota promoted him to the majors on May 19 as a corresponding move to optioning Lewis, who is now back with the big-league club. Rather than getting rid of Arcia, Gray or Kreidler when Lewis returned, the Twins designated outfielder James Outman for assignment. Arcia, a former All-Star and World Series champion with the Atlanta Braves, has slashed .300/.333/.400 (106 wRC+) in 42 plate appearances with the Twins this year.
A pinch-hit home run by Orlando Arcia gives the @Twins a late lead! pic.twitter.com/DmievSEWID
— MLB (@MLB) June 6, 2026
Gray, 30, started the season strong, then cooled down before starting another hot streak. The infielder has slashed .266/.308/.413 (98 wRC+) with four homers (two grand slams) and 26 RBI in 121 plate appearances this season.
GRAY WITH A GONER! pic.twitter.com/YzVpVjckkP
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) June 2, 2026
Tristan Gray is hitting .283 against RHP this season and his last 30 PAs overall have been very productive with him hitting .393 and slugging .607. pic.twitter.com/4ni564jUsj
— Jeff (@MNTwinsZealot) June 8, 2026
The Twins recalled Kreidler, 28, from Triple-A St. Paul on April 11 because Lewis suffered a left knee sprain. Minnesota sent Kreidler back to the Saints when Lewis returned on April 22, then brought him back as a corresponding move to optioning outfielder Matt Wallner to Triple-A on May 14.
It appears Kreidler is here to stay. In 66 plate appearances with Minnesota, Kreidler has slashed .224/.318/.448 (113 wRC+) with three homers, six extra-base hits and 11 RBI.
Ryan Kreidler smashes a 438-foot home run now
— MLB (@MLB) April 14, 2026
The @Twins can't stop scoring! pic.twitter.com/szi3xj7hq2
While Arcia, Kreidler and Gray have been key contributors for Minnesota in 2026, none of them should be long-term options at shortstop. Gray has posted -5 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) in 130 innings at the position, Kreidler has posted -1 DRS in 45 1/3 innings there, and Arcia has posted 0 DRS in 25 innings. As stated earlier in the article, Culpepper is presumably on the verge of taking over shortstop for the Twins.
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