Rocco Baldelli probably envisions a certain way in which his outfield will line up come spring training, and then at any time this year it could be. Byron Buxton never stopped from offseason surgery, and despite only playing designated hitter in an effort to get him back on the grass, we didn’t see it.
The three areas evolve a rotating cast of names each week, but there is a consistent trio available. This stands as the most likely lineup when Minnesota throws out the first pitch in their wild card round:
Right Field – Max Kepler
If there’s one place that’s locked down, it’s this one. It may have seemed crazy to say a few months ago, but since the All-Star Break, Kepler has been one of the Twins’ best players. He’s forced the conversation on whether he’ll return in 2024, and there’s no doubt he’ll start in right field for Game 1 of a Wild Card series.
On the season Kepler has a .798 OPS and a 116 OPS+. While he’s better against right-handed pitchers, the platoon split isn’t as bad in 2023. Baldelli is likely to be lower in the lineup against a lefty, but Kepler has proven to be a solid product lineup and the field.
The last time Minnesota played a postseason game, Kepler started right and center. Eddie Rosario is gone, and Byron Buxton’s situation remains murky. While Alex Kirilloff debuted against the Astros in right field, he shouldn’t be expected to factor there this season.
Left Field – Matt Wallner
Most of the season this spot was given to veteran Joey Gallo. He has struggled mightily since a strong April, and finds himself on the injured list today. Minnesota could opt to bring in the power hitter as a bench bat, but starting him over Wallner at this point seems unlikely.
The Forest Lake native bides his time at Triple-A St. Paul, while continuing to produce at a high level. He’s now proven he can make the big leagues, and he’s responded well from his first real slump. Wallner is more prone to struggling against lefties than Kepler, so this spot could go to Willi Castro if a southpaw is on the mound for the game.
Wallner came up big in some key moments for the Twins during the regular season, and he will be given a big stage in front of hometown fans during the postseason. Wallner has a lot of talent at the plate, and he’s shown he’s more than capable in the outfield.
Center Field – Michael A. Taylor
Unfortunately, like the last time Minnesota was in the playoffs, they don’t have Buxton under center. He started Game 1 against Houston before becoming the pinch-runner in Game 2 of 2020. Taylor was brought in as an insurance policy for Buxton, and he helped make that and more.
Although Taylor produced a near league-average offensive rate, and for the most part his career-best surge in power, he got this nod as a defender first. Like Buxton, Taylor is an elite defender with great coverage. Needing familiarity and consistency in a tough line game role, Taylor should be a set-it-and-forget-it type.
Unfortunately Taylor missed time with a hamstring injury, but that’s behind him and the former Kansas City Royals defender should be all systems go. There really isn’t a platoon advantage playing him against any other type of pitcher, and putting Castro in centerfield is a less than ideal choice after all.
Alternatives – Andrew Stevenson
All other names have been touched so far. If Gallo and Buxton are both out, there’s an easy spot for Stevenson to make the squad. With just one opening, it comes down to whether Minnesota prefers a defensive replacement with significant stolen base ability, or some other addition.
Stevenson has shown he can swipe a base if the opposition knows it’s coming, and he’s a plus defender at each of the three outfield spots. Which pick Minnesota makes here will likely have more to do with who they don’t draft than the guys they do pick.
What would you do in the Twins outfield for the wild card round? Can they gain an advantage over the opposition?