The Minnesota Twins had the fourth-worst record in 2025, winning just 70 games in a disappointing season. And though it was that bad, Twins fans might not have to wait very long before they start to see some competency from their team.
Going into the 2026 season, ESPN unveiled their 30 best lineups. Surprisingly, the Twins were ranked 18th overall, and ninth among American League teams. Two shocking teams that are ranked behind the Twins are the Red Sox (19th) and the Tigers (22nd) — two clubs that made the postseason in 2025 with similar expectations this year.
Twins have a stronger projected lineup than the Red Sox and Tigers in 2026
Here is the lineup that ESPN projects for Minnesota
- 1-Byron Buxton
- 2-Luke Keaschall
- 3-Josh Bell
- 4-Royce Lewis
- 5-Ryan Jeffers
- 6-Matt Wallner
- 7-Victor Caratini
- 8-Trevor Larnach
- 9-Brooks Lee
Starting right at the top, the Byron Buxton-Luke Keaschall duo has the potential to be one of the most dangerous if Buxton continues his stardom, and if Keaschall lives up to the expectation that he will be a breakout stud in 2026.
The third and fourth spots in the lineup will likely be what makes or breaks Minnesota's offense this season. Josh Bell is Minnesota's newest and biggest addition to the lineup, who is still capable of producing an OPS+ above 100. He's muscled 20 or more home runs five times in his career, including twice over the last three years. Can he continue that trend? If he does, then the Twins are in good shape.
And then there is Royce Lewis. If this guy can stay healthy, then look out, world. He is more than capable of receiving All-Star attention if he can stay on the field. If so, that one through four in the lineup can be straight-up lethal.
One sneaky player to look out for is Brooks Lee, who made a 90-point jump in OPS from 2024 to 2025. He's off to a start spring training, batting 3-for-8 in his first three games. If Lee can produce from the bottom of the order, he'd make for an underrated second leadoff man.
The four projected players above Lee (Jeffers, Wallner, Caratini, Larnach) are not as big of a difference-maker as the aforementioned players, but expect them to be decent contributors. Jeffers' power numbers (nine home runs) plummeted in 2025, but he still had a 108 OPS+.
Though Wallner hit .202 last season, he mashed 22 home runs with a strong walk rate — which is more of what we can expect in 2026. Caratini, approaching his debut season in Minnesota, will not wow you at the plate, but he will do enough so that Twins fans won't watch in disgust when he is up to bat.
And then there is Larnach, who is capable of 25-30 doubles and 20-25 home runs. He may not get there, but he doesn't have to. There are a couple outfielders waiting in the minor leagues if he does not produce, like Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez.
So, is this lineup better than two returning playoff teams in the Red Sox and the Tigers? On paper, ESPN may have gotten this one right. Let's hope everyone stays healthy.