The Minnesota Twins are having a solid Spring Training so far coming off a disappointing 2024 season.
Many individuals are performing well with the regular season approaching, but several hitters above the crowd have raised expectations for themselves since Grapefruit League play began.
Let's take a look at who in particular is having a strong spring, and what that could mean come Opening Day and beyond.
Ty France
Manager Rocco Baldelli seemed excited from the moment camp opened that France would be a big addition to the lineup and a stabilizing presence at first base. The early returns after he signed for $1 million free-agent deal certainly are encouraging.
France came into play Monday, batting .550/.591/1.050 with two home runs, four doubles, two walks, eight RBIs, and even a stolen base. It's nothing France hasn't shown before, considering he made the All-Star team with the Mariners, it's just been a matter of being healthy.
Austin Martin
Martin's defense in the outfield has been eye catching, and more in line with what the club expected a season ago. Martin said he made it a point to prepare better and make plays in the field, and he has made multiple diving catches already. He hasn't played any second base like last year, even with the job still wide open.
Martin hasn't hit all that well yet (.176/.333/.176), though he had drawn three walks and stolen two bases through games over the weekend. It's possible he will need to continue working at Triple-A to open the season. With Harrison Bader getting a lot of at-bats as a right-handed outfield option, Martin could be better off playing every day.
Mickey Gasper
Martin might be the one making the Opening Day roster according to media projections, but Mickey Gasper is showing an ability to hit major league pitching (.348/.360/.478 with a home run in 23 Grapefruit at-bats).
Gasper also brings a couple of different kind of gloves (or mitts) for defense -- first base, second and catcher. There's a non-zero chance he could start at second base a lot, and with how Baldelli uses his entire roster, he wouldn't even have to start to play a lot.
A 29-year-old with six seasons in the minors and 13 at-bats in the majors, Gasper is really close to making the Twins' Opening Day roster.
Luke Keaschall
Keaschall hasn't been able to play second base yet because of his recovery from Tommy John surgery in August, but he's doing a lot on the offensive side, batting .267/.421/.533 with a homer, a double and three walks in 15 at-bats. If you get a chance to catch a Keaschall appearance on video, don't just watch; be sure to listen to the sound the bat makes on contact.
DaShawn Keirsey Jr.
He might be having the best spring of anyone on the roster, coming into action batting .263/.462/.421 with a homer, six walks, three stolen bases, multiple high-leverage RBIs, and several great catches the outfield. Keirsey is a left-handed batter with a history of neutral (or neutral-ish) splits, so a left-handed pitcher isn't necessarily a negative.
Kind of like with Martin, he might not have a lot opportunities unless (or until) injuries happen.