Trevor Larnach joins Twins' outfield bash party with much-needed homer to keep pace

Could Trevor Larnach sense that he is not guaranteed a starting spot in 2026? The Twins outfielder roped 24 doubles and 17 home runs last season, but he took a major jump in strikeouts, compiling 122 total. That is enough to raise some red flags, especially if other players are producing at a high level.

Larnach is currently projected to be in the starting lineup, but judging by the way other Twins outfielders are performing this spring, it is a race that he probably did not want to be part of. Emmanuel Rodriguez has shown off incredible strength at the plate and Alan Roden has been impossible to get out in the first few games.

This doesn't completely ruin Larnach's likelihood of starting to begin the year, but it's an interesting angle to look at if he struggles in spring training while others continue to pop off.

On Friday against the Yankees, however, Larnach joined the home run party amongst Twins outfielders by obliterating a solo home run in the first inning. He took Luis Gil — the 2024 American League Rookie of the Year — 405 feet on a screamer that registered a 109.4 MPH exit velocity.

Larnach isn't fighting for his job yet, but this home run against a proven big-league pitcher sure helps his case of keeping him right where he is at.

Trevor Larnach rips 109.4 MPH home run off Yankees starter Luis Gil

For his career, Laranch is batting 1-for-6 against Gil. He hasn't quite done well against him, so it made sense to want to jump on him early. After fouling off a first pitch fastball, Gil tried lulling Larnach asleep with two changeups that missed the zone.

He went back to his fastball, which Larnach was clearly ready to turn on. He got every piece of it.

This marked Larnach's first hit of spring training after going 0-for-5 with three walks in his first three games. He couldn't have picked a better time to go deep, considering the players ranked behind him are off to scathing starts. He's now keeping pace with these guys — all with one monster swing.

Again, it's Larnach's spot in the lineup to lose, but the Twins don't owe him anything if he cannot produce. On a one-year, $4.475 million deal, he is definitely replaceable. If he continues to rake, though, he should have nothing to worry about.