Ryan Kreidler has undoubtedly earned the Twins' starting shortstop role for the time being. After back-to-back three-hit games against the Diamondbacks in Arizona, Kreidler's season slash line improved to an outstanding .295/.382/.538 (154 wRC+) clip. In 89 plate appearances across 36 games, Kreidler has hit four home runs, three doubles and two triples with 18 RBI.
After Brooks Lee moved to third base last month, the Twins began operating with a revolving door of Kreidler, Tristan Gray and Orlando Arcia at shortstop. It seemed like a temporary solution at the position, as top shortstop prospect Kaelen Culpepper appeared on the verge of making his MLB debut.
However, Arcia is now back with the Saints, and Gray has proved he isn't an MLB-caliber shortstop, hitting just .241/.283/.361 (75 wRC+) in 146 plate appearances with -7 Outs Above Average in 184 innings at the position. While Gray, a left-handed hitter, has played a solid second and third base and has come through in the clutch several times for Minnesota, his poor numbers show why he shouldn't be playing shortstop anymore. He had been getting plenty of starts at shortstop against righties, with Kreidler, a right-handed hitter, starting against lefties. But now, Kreidler, who has recorded +1 Out Above Average at shortstop this year, should be starting at the position regularly.
Culpepper is on the IL with a left hip strain but should still make his MLB debut this season. If Kreidler is still performing at a high level when Culpepper is called up, his defensive versatility should still allow him to receive consistent playing time. In addition to shortstop, Kreidler has recorded innings at center field, left field and third base this season. He also has MLB experience at second base.
Tigers may regret letting Twins UTL Ryan Kreidler go
The Twins claimed Kreidler from the Pittsburgh Pirates in October after he had been designated for assignment. The Pirates had claimed Kreidler off waivers from the Detroit Tigers about two months earlier. In 211 plate appearances with Detroit from 2022-25, Kreidler hit just .138/.208/.176 (11 wRC+) with two home runs, eight RBI and a 31.8% strikeout rate.
Kreidler began the season with Triple-A St. Paul. Minnesota recalled him on April 11 when Royce Lewis landed on the IL with a knee sprain, then sent the former Tiger back to Triple-A when Lewis returned on April 22. Kreidler earned another call-up on May 14 when Matt Wallner was optioned to Triple-A, and has remained in the majors ever since.
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