Twins manager Rocco Baldelli says he has noticed how much outfielder DaShawn Keirsey Jr. has improved in recent seasons. Not just from keeping an eye on his minor-league progress, but also because of the time Keirsey has spent with the Twins in Spring Training: a total of 37 games since 2020.
On both sides of the ball, Baldelli told reporters this spring, Keirsey has put himself in position to make plays which — two years ago, or even last year — he wouldn't have made. His natural athleticism was just a starting point; Keirsey has worked hard to become a better ballplayer at age 27.
As a result, Keirsey has made multiple game-changing plays in the outfield and in the batter's box this spring.
He's still in a tough spot as far as making the Twins out of Fort Myers.
Keirsey being a left-handed batter (although one who has shown an aptitude against same-side pitching) works against him. While the exit in free agency of Max Kepler seemed to have opened a door a crack, the Twins still have Trevor Larnach and Matt Wallner as outfielders who hit from the left side.
There's also Willi Castro, a switch-hitter and ultra-utility player, who will play a lot in the outfield.
The acquisition of Harrison Bader figures to cut into most of the opportunities for any backup outfielder to get playing time, and the effective outfield play in Spring Training of Austin Martin (a right-handed hitter) blocks essentially the last spot on the 26-person Opening Day roster.
The only way Keirsey figures to get a chance with the Twins is via an injury. He's still going to be an important player for the franchise, given the need for him to play in Triple-A so St. Paul has a functional outfield. Emmanuel Rodríguez has been slow to progress through Spring Training because of an ankle injury.
Keirsey already has handled himself well at Triple-A, batting .300/.368/.476 with 14 home runs, 22 doubles, seven triples, 48 walks and 36 stolen bases in 505 plate appearances in 2024. He has nearly 2,000 plate appearances in the minors since 2018, and he came to the Twins as a three-year college player. He'll turn 28 the second week in May.
Given the franchise's depth in the outfield, no matter if it's major leaguers, solid prospects, or big-time prospects, a Keirsey trade could be beneficial to both sides. It might seem like a low bar, but Keirsey obviously could start for the White Sox, or get a lot of playing time for any number of teams.
Of course, there's a nonzero chance one of those teams is the Twins.
Just not as of this moment.
At some point soon, though, playing time in the majors is his only path to growth.