Twins would have best chance to compete with these position players on 26-man roster
Catchers - Ryan Jeffers, Victor Caratini
This leaves Alex Jackson off the roster, meaning the former Oriole will have to be placed on waivers. Jeffers should catch 100+ games, and Caratini can catch the rest of Minnesota's games while also getting some playing time at designated hitter and first base.
Infielders - Josh Bell, Luke Keaschall, Brooks Lee, Royce Lewis, Kody Clemens, Orlando Arcia
Bell should be the primary first baseman. The switch-hitter can also start at designated hitter while Kody Clemens or Caratini starts at first as well. Keaschall will be the primary second baseman, and the 23-year-old could also find himself in the outfield, especially once infielder Kaelen Culpepper is ready for the big leagues. Culpepper will likely start the season with Triple-A St. Paul, but he'll hopefully make his MLB debut at some point in 2026.
Lee will be Minnesota's starting shortstop, but that could change quickly if he doesn't improve offensively and defensively. He struggled significantly last year, posting a .655 OPS and -4 Outs Above Average (OAA). Still, he deserves a shot to prove he can be better this year, as he once ranked among the top-100 prospects in baseball per multiple publications, and he is exceptional at limiting strikeouts.
Lewis will undoubtedly be the starting third baseman. He was scratched from the starting lineup on Thursday, but an MRI luckily revealed he is okay. The third baseman has struggled since his outstanding 2023 season amid numerous injuries, but it appears he is on the right track to return to form, as long as he stays healthy.
Lewis had been working with Houston-based hitting coach Jeremy Isenhower during the offseason, according to The Minnesota Star Tribune's Bobby Nightengale. The hitting coach was recommended to Lewis by Kansas City Royals star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and former Twins infielder Jorge Polanco. Isenhower has been helping Lewis develop a more consistent approach, which hopefully will translate to a successful 2026 season.
Arcia, the younger brother of former Twins outfielder Oswaldo Arcia, is competing for a roster spot with Tristan Gray and Ryan Kreidler. Arcia, a former All-Star, is known for his strong defense and can play every infield position.
Outfielders - Byron Buxton, Matt Wallner, Emmanuel Rodríguez, Alan Roden, Austin Martin
We don't even have to talk about Buxton. The 2025 Silver Slugger will undoubtedly be Minnesota's starting center fielder unless he suffers an injury.
Wallner, 28, will most likely be the Twins' starting right fielder to begin the 2026 campaign. He regressed at the plate last season, yet was still better than league-average, slashing .202/.311/.464 (110 OPS+) with 22 homers, 16 doubles and 40 RBI in 392 plate appearances across 104 games. He missed about a month and a half due to a left hamstring strain, which may have been a reason for his regression at the plate. From 2023 to 2024, Wallner posted 4.4 bWAR and a .254/.371/.515 slash line with 27 home runs, 28 doubles, 78 RBI and 68 runs.
Wallner's defense could use some work, as he posted -4 OAA in 2025. But if he can just return to the production he showed from 2023 to 2024, his offense would more than make up for his poor defense.
Rodríguez, the Twins' second-best outfield prospect, will likely begin the season with Triple-A St. Paul. But if the Twins want to put themselves in the best chance to compete, they should have him begin the season in the big leagues as the everyday left fielder. This spring, he's gone 5-for-11 with two homers and a double. Minnesota's top prospect, outfielder Walker Jenkins, should be in the big leagues at some point in 2026 as well, but he may need some more time in Triple-A first.
The Twins may opt to keep Alan Roden in the minors to begin the 2026 regular season since he has minor-league options remaining, but having him on the big-league roster would likely give Minnesota the best shot to be competitive. This spring, Roden has gone 6-for-8 with one homer, two walks and four RBI.
Martin, a right-handed hitter, could be a perfect platoon option for Minnesota. He can also play second base. Last year, Martin posted an impressive .374 on-base percentage in 50 games with the Twins. He could be Buxton's backup center fielder.
This leaves James Outman and Trevor Larnach off the roster. Outman is out of minor-league options, meaning the Twins will have to pass him through waivers if they don't want him on the big-league roster. As for Larnach, the long-time Twin will more than likely be on the Opening Day roster. But the Twins should still try to trade him if they can. He's a weak defender and an average hitter, and Minnesota has plenty of other left-handed hitting outfielders who deserve opportunities.