When the Minnesota Twins added Josh Bell to the team this past winter, that came with the hope that the veteran first baseman would provide an immediate impact at the plate. The 33-year-old switch hitter enters the 2026 season riding a five-year streak of registering an OPS+ of 100 or better, including a 110 OPS+ in 2025.
Bell should help the middle of the lineup for the Twins, and he could not have asked for a better Opening Day opponent. The Twins head to Baltimore to face the Orioles on Opening Day, and the Birds are giving Trevor Rogers the ball. Luckily for Bell, his career numbers off the left-hander are incredible. A solid Opening Day effort from Bell could ignite some real faith in the Twins' fanbase if he pops off in his debut with Minnesota.
Josh Bell's Twins debut could be perfect if he continues to hit Trevor Rogers well
Bell, formerly a National, is familiar with Rogers, who spent time with the Marlins. In those NL East battles in the early 2020s, Bell is batting 6-for-13 (.462) against Rogers with a pair of doubles and one RBI.
We can see it now. Bell digs into the batter's box for the first time as a Twin in the hop-half of the first inning. Luke Keaschall or Byron Buxton is on base. Rogers drops his arm slot and tries to sneak a fastball on the outer part of the plate past Bell. But Bell's famous inside-out swing allows him to dunk one over the first baseman's head, scoring the runner. The Twins would jump out to an early 1-0 lead, and Bell will have won over the Minnesota fans with one swing.
Would that not have Twins amped up for Josh Bell's production this season? The club is eager for Bell to be a top contributor, but that is going to take others getting on base to facilitate that. Bell is an under-the-radar RBI machine; he has a career-high 116 with other 90 and 88-RBI campaigns to his name.
And if Bell can become a reliable run producer, that would take some pressure off of Keaschall and Buxton to constantly come through for Minnesota. Bell leaving a strong first impression is critical for the Twins this season, and thankfully for him, he will be facing a pitcher who he's found consistent success with over the last few years.