As the Minnesota State Fair approaches and thrill seekers flock to Valleyfair one last time before school begins next month, one can't help but compare the current Minnesota Twins season to a rollercoaster. On one hand, fans have seen thrilling walk-off wins and the continued growth and domination of starting pitcher Joe Ryan. Byron Buxton has (largely) been healthy this year, and (as mentioned in a previous article) a crop of young talent has risen from the farm system and is contributing at the major league level. On the other hand, however, the Twins have gone through long stretches of ineptitude at the plate, a carousel of rotating batting orders, the extended loss of staff ace Pablo López to injury, and a general malaise and lack of heart at times in 2025. To label the season as "frustrating" or "inconsistent" likely rings true for most readers out there.
In the spirit of the 2025 Twins' highs and lows, it may be interesting to see just where this club lands statistically. For most offensive categories, the Twins currently find themselves ranking 24th out of 30 MLB teams and 11th in the American League. Not the worst, but certainly under league average in most categories. With the help of the in-depth statistics database at Baseball-Reference.com, we can take a closer look at ten stats and metrics where the Twins either lead the AL or come in dead last.
10 stats where Twins are either first or last in AL with 40 games to go
Leading the American League
1. Hit By Pitch (HBP)
Technically, the Twins lead the whole of MLB in this category. Through 122 games, the team has been pegged 72 times in 2025. In 2024, they finished with 101 HBP, second only to the Seattle Mariners, who were hit at the plate 116 times - a record in the modern era.
2. Total Walks Issued (BB)
It may not feel like it some days, but the Twins have issued the fewest walks so far this season as a team. So far, Twins pitchers have given just 325 free passes. The next closest team is the Tampa Bay Rays with 351. For the record, the AL team with the most walks thus far this season is the Los Angeles Angels with 464.
3. Walks Per 9 Innings (BB/9)
In keeping with the low walk totals, the Twins also lead the AL in fewest walks per 9 innings with an average of 2.7. Once again, the Rays trail closely with 2.9, as do the Detroit Tigers with the same rate. This is an encouraging stat for a pitching staff that has had its share of bullpen struggles.
4. Strikeout-to-Walk Ratio (K/BB)
Once again, the Twins pitchers shine. Minnesota currently leads the AL pack, if only by a slim margin over the Houston Astros, in strikeout-to-walk ratio. The MLB average is 2.60 strikeouts for every walk. The Twins clock in at 3.15 strikeouts for every walk issued. Joe Ryan currently leads the staff in strikeouts (153) and starting pitchers with 9.9 K/9.
5. Catcher Interference (XI)
Now, here is a statistic no one thinks about until it happens to their team - catcher interference. The Twins' backstops this year have yet to have to be called for interference. AL average is two, with the Boston Red Sox leading the entire league with eight catcher interference calls.
Trailing the League
6. Double Plays Turned (DP)
In a rather astounding discovery, the Twins are dead last in the AL (and all of baseball, actually) in turning double plays with 67. The Angels lead the AL with nearly double the amount. Whether it is a lack of opportunities or blown plays, Minnesota brings up the rear in turning a pitcher's best friend.
7. Defensive Chances (Ch)
Defensive chances are defined as putouts, assists, and errors, and, for whatever reason, the Twins have the fewest in the American League (4,183). They are above league average for fielding percentage and commit fewer errors than average as well, so it isn't as though they are muffing chances in the field. This may be more reflective of the large number of base hits they give up rather than their defense itself. Upon further research, the Twins have played the third fewest innings among AL teams - this is also a likely factor for the Twins' trailing in this category.
8. Steals of Third Base (SB3)
The Twins have exactly one steal of third base in 2025. Yes, you read that correctly - one. This is less surprising when it is revealed that the Twins rank fourth from the bottom in the AL in total stolen bases. Buxton, 17-17 in base-stealing attempts in 2025, has yet to attempt a swipe of third this year. The only Twin to steal third this year is Deshawn Keirsey, Jr. The AL average, for those who are curious, is 10.
9. Sacrifice Flies (SF)
While not a significant issue, it is essential to point out that the Twins have checked in with 25 sac flies for the season thus far. The average for the AL is 33, and the Cleveland Guardians lead with 43. Not a vast spread of who is successfully driving in RBI with sac flies and who is not, but it could be the result of the lack of base runners advancing in key situations - as has happened several times throughout the season when the bats go quiet.
10. Quality Starts (QS)
This is interesting. For a pitching staff with Ryan, López (when healthy), and Bailey Ober (also when healthy), it was surprising to discover that the Twins come in last in the AL for quality starts. A quality start requires that a starting pitcher go at least six innings and allow three or fewer earned runs. The Twins have tallied 31 quality starts in 2025 through 122 games - 13 belonging to Ryan (in 23 starts), 7 with Ober (20 starts), and López with 3 in 11 starts before hitting the IR. The AL average is 44, good for 36% of all starts. The Twins are tallying QSs at a rate of 25%.
This mix of accomplishment and somewhat quirky struggles only serves to add to the story of the Twins' 2025 season. With just forty games remaining, it will be interesting to see where Minnesota lands in these unusual categories, as well as the more traditional statistics, as the MLB season begins to make its final turn towards the postseason in just over a month.